integrated transport management

This is one of the best things of USA.  The metro travel system goes like this:

  • Amtrak is the basic train system which runs throughout America like our Railways
  • Each major city or metro has its own metro train system
  • Then there is a metrolink which connects to the distant suburbs from the city
  • There is also the buses system which serves the cities linking the suburbs to the rail system
For eg to go to San Diego from Los Angeles  You can take the Surfliner - The Amtrak service  which runs between Union Station, LA & San Diego.   This service is available throughout the day and it takes about 2 1/2 hours to reach San Diego.  In case you want to go to say a place in between then there is the Metrolink which runs from Union Station to say Oceanside (which is  approx midway between San Diego & LA) you have the the metro link and from Oceanside to San Diego you have a coaster.   

The best thing is the integrated travel systems that are in place the trains stations have buses which come into the station close to the arrival of the trains so that commuters can take the buses from the stations to the close to where ever they need to go.

The best part is which ever mode you are taking whether it is a bus, Amtrak train or a metro train, you have the printed timetable available and you can calculate the time you need to start or need to arrive into your destinations based on these time given in there.  A 9.21 am train or bus reaches the scheduled stop at 9.21 am (something of a wonder for a Indian, I suppose).  More than anything the easiness to commute using both the train and the bus which comes into the bus bay in the station.    Each of these stations have atleast a small retail outlet which serves coffee, fruits and sandwiches, etc.

When I see the Adyar or Thiruvanmiyur stations, which are huge commercial property without being put to proper use, I only wish, these people take a lesson from America or Japan and utilize the space much better which can be local hub improving the number of people using the station and also make it useful to the community.   But integrate it with buses so that people can make use of the public transport system more and more.

Of course, even in America there is still need for improvement for eg take Washington Dulles airport - the only way to reach the city from the airport when you travel with bags is to take the shuttle or a private taxi.  Though there is a good metro train system well established and over a century old in Washington, it doesnt serve the airport.  You need to come to West Falls Church and then take a shuttle from there.  The only other option is to take the route No 5A bus from airport to Rossilyn metro.  You travel tight and then and only then this bus is the best option and not otherwise.  

However, I am seeing that in Chennai the metro lines are going to be linked to the airport too.  But my request is that make it  differently abled friendly and Senior citizen friendly.  Let the metro have a escalator or a lift into the airport so that bringing over bags into the trains will be easy.  Also please make sure that each of the station the same kind of arrangement is available.

I know that our Indian systems are improving, but I would like to see the day where the ease of travel and regularity of travel is assured.

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