The ongoing tension between Donald Trump and Canada took an unexpected turn when Ontario Premier Doug Ford suggested a counteroffer to Trump's remarks about
Related to my original comment, I’ve been on a Japanese Shinkansen many times. It is a shockingly different experience. Comfortable, clean, no fuss, and relatively inexpensive. From Tokyo to Kyoto in about 2 hours (roughly 450km distance).
Once you leave the high speed train, you’re greeted by a subway system also second to none. Get virtually anywhere you need to in the city without the need for a car. A 45 minute ride tends to be $3-4.
Even in cities with relatively limited subway systems (limited for Japan – still extensive in many comparisons), like Kyoto, the bussing system is actually fantastic. Equally clean, and you can even use the same touch card you use for rail.
European trains are pretty great too. Maybe not as nice as Japan, but e.g. the German ICE is pretty clean and also affordable. Sure, DB is famous for being late too, but not Amtrak levels of late.
I guess that was just a ramble. All to say: what wonderful things our “modern” countries could do if we didn’t idolize fighting amongst ourselves.
I salivate at the thought of an efficient and effective transit system that I could use every day. I love driving, so I would still own a car. But to have the freedom to not have to drive everywhere would be amazing. I haven’t had the opportunity to ride the Shinkansen yet, or visit Amsterdam and see Europe’s transit myself, but I intend to visit more countries once I’m able to save up a little.
That does make sense.
Related to my original comment, I’ve been on a Japanese Shinkansen many times. It is a shockingly different experience. Comfortable, clean, no fuss, and relatively inexpensive. From Tokyo to Kyoto in about 2 hours (roughly 450km distance).
Once you leave the high speed train, you’re greeted by a subway system also second to none. Get virtually anywhere you need to in the city without the need for a car. A 45 minute ride tends to be $3-4.
Even in cities with relatively limited subway systems (limited for Japan – still extensive in many comparisons), like Kyoto, the bussing system is actually fantastic. Equally clean, and you can even use the same touch card you use for rail.
European trains are pretty great too. Maybe not as nice as Japan, but e.g. the German ICE is pretty clean and also affordable. Sure, DB is famous for being late too, but not Amtrak levels of late.
I guess that was just a ramble. All to say: what wonderful things our “modern” countries could do if we didn’t idolize fighting amongst ourselves.
I salivate at the thought of an efficient and effective transit system that I could use every day. I love driving, so I would still own a car. But to have the freedom to not have to drive everywhere would be amazing. I haven’t had the opportunity to ride the Shinkansen yet, or visit Amsterdam and see Europe’s transit myself, but I intend to visit more countries once I’m able to save up a little.