Posts tagged Travel Reports
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How does Metro compare to rail in Amsterdam and Paris?
In June, the Washington Post compared Metrorail to various other rapid transit systems in major cities around the world and said Metro came up short. But if you compare Metro to transit systems built to serve places more similar to the DC region, it’s actually quite competitive. Keep reading…
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Check out Montreal’s transit network
In Montreal, the subway system has video screens that display more than just train arrival times, and stations double as art galleries. Thanks to low-cost measures like these, commuting in Montreal is a world-class experience. Keep reading…
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Like DC’s protected bikeways? Kyoto has a bike arcade
The Sanjo Arcade is a nearly kilometer-long covered shopping arcade in the center of Kyoto, Japan. Lined with shops and restaurants, locals stroll or ride their bikes to and fro through the colonnade throughout the day. Keep reading…
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In Denver, you can now take a train from the airport to downtown
There’s a new way to get from Denver’s airport to downtown: the University of Colorado A Line, which opened in April. When I rode it, I enjoyed how easy it was to get a ticket and connect to other transit lines downtown. I’m a little worried about long ticket lines and a confusing name, though. Keep reading…
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In Playa Del Coco, Costa Rica, riding a bike is a way of life
As a transportation nerd, I spent part of my recent vacation in Playa Del Coco, Costa Rica observing how people move through the main street. What I noticed most was the bike culture, which resembled organic chaos where everything still managed to run smoothly. Keep reading…
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8 lessons about great transit I learned riding the Paris Métro
Paris has one of the world’s great subway systems. Beyond its truly impressive coverage and service quality, here are eight wonderful details about how it operates that US systems would do well to mimic. Keep reading…
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Lisbon is a rail transit mecca
Lisbon has just about every type of rail transit out there. Streetcars, funiculars, a metro, and commuter rail all provide a dense, interconnected transit system for the Southern Europe metropolis. Keep reading…
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How smart urban planning gave Medellín a facelift
A generation ago, Medellín, Colombia was one of most violent cities in the world. Now, it’s a true gem for urban planners. I was born in Medellín, was raised in Montgomery County and then moved back, and I recently returned to the DC area. The pictures from my last visit home help show how Medellín has changed since I first lived there. Keep reading…
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When it comes to mid-block crosswalks, Indonesia doesn’t mess around
Getting drivers to stop in the middle of a block to let pedestrians cross can be tricky. In the US we use something called a HAWK signal. In other countries they have different ideas. Check out this HAWK-like relative in Kediri, Indonesia. Keep reading…
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Meet the O-Bahn, Australia’s streetcar-bus hybrid
An unusual transit system in Australia combines the flexibility of buses with the speed and smoothness of rail. In Adelaide, South Australia, the O-Bahn, a hybrid of a bus and rail system, connects downtown to the northeastern suburbs. Keep reading…