Congestion pricing! Just like the ultra low emission zone in London. I was amazed when I saw it for the first time this summer and felt sad we weren't doing something similar so I'm fully thrilled to hear it's in the works here in the states as well. I did not know about the months of paid leave either. That really boosted my mood to read! I wish there was one place a person could go to learn about the civic successes happening around the US- it's hard not to feel a bit bleak at times.
I am one of the Americans that went to Europe for the first time this summer and I compared everything I saw- the trains, the streets, what sense I could get of if people struggled or not, the prices of the housing in ads I passed on the street. My general impression is that things seem to run better but it's not perfect and the public goods cost a lot. I was shellshocked by how expensive the tube was compared my daily SEPTA ride- it cost easily as much as a Lyft or Uber. But on the flip side, I think that's why the public goods are so good. I'm just a layperson but it seemed to me that in the US we pay out of pocket for things to be nice, a la carte. Like I'd say their public buildings reminded me of the kind of private college I went to, and the train anyone can take is super nice and safe and clean, the way a private uber ride is reliably nice and clean. It's interesting to think about if it's better to share the burden of better public goods but have less personal money- I think so.
That's my little rant! I'm so glad I saw this, I was feeling ***A LOT*** after I came home from Europe so it's nice to actually talk about it with others
Diana, Thank you for this post! An excellent reminder to keep our rose-colored glasses handy, but to know when to take them off. Also, some keen observations, and photos to drive the points home. As always, appreciate you taking the time to share your thinking with the rest of us. -Nick
Thanks so much, Nick! That is the perfect way to describe it: Keep the rose-colored glasses handy but from time to time be sure to take them off so you can see Europe and the US in their true colors!
this is some good exasperation and a good reminder that we need to take all of our idealism with a grain of grass is always greener. for all of europe's rail ubiquity, there's still a challenge in linking trips across country lines; there's fare integration and ticketing problems; electrifications problems; and more!
i was sorry to hear about your atocha experience. i love the station and its attention to flora and as a public space, but lack of seating will kills us all.
I should have noted that if you make the connection between the airport line and a commuter train, as I did, you will totally bypass the historic part of Atocha station and be stuck in the very Penn Station-y other section.
Congestion pricing! Just like the ultra low emission zone in London. I was amazed when I saw it for the first time this summer and felt sad we weren't doing something similar so I'm fully thrilled to hear it's in the works here in the states as well. I did not know about the months of paid leave either. That really boosted my mood to read! I wish there was one place a person could go to learn about the civic successes happening around the US- it's hard not to feel a bit bleak at times.
I am one of the Americans that went to Europe for the first time this summer and I compared everything I saw- the trains, the streets, what sense I could get of if people struggled or not, the prices of the housing in ads I passed on the street. My general impression is that things seem to run better but it's not perfect and the public goods cost a lot. I was shellshocked by how expensive the tube was compared my daily SEPTA ride- it cost easily as much as a Lyft or Uber. But on the flip side, I think that's why the public goods are so good. I'm just a layperson but it seemed to me that in the US we pay out of pocket for things to be nice, a la carte. Like I'd say their public buildings reminded me of the kind of private college I went to, and the train anyone can take is super nice and safe and clean, the way a private uber ride is reliably nice and clean. It's interesting to think about if it's better to share the burden of better public goods but have less personal money- I think so.
That's my little rant! I'm so glad I saw this, I was feeling ***A LOT*** after I came home from Europe so it's nice to actually talk about it with others
Diana, Thank you for this post! An excellent reminder to keep our rose-colored glasses handy, but to know when to take them off. Also, some keen observations, and photos to drive the points home. As always, appreciate you taking the time to share your thinking with the rest of us. -Nick
Thanks so much, Nick! That is the perfect way to describe it: Keep the rose-colored glasses handy but from time to time be sure to take them off so you can see Europe and the US in their true colors!
this is some good exasperation and a good reminder that we need to take all of our idealism with a grain of grass is always greener. for all of europe's rail ubiquity, there's still a challenge in linking trips across country lines; there's fare integration and ticketing problems; electrifications problems; and more!
i was sorry to hear about your atocha experience. i love the station and its attention to flora and as a public space, but lack of seating will kills us all.
I should have noted that if you make the connection between the airport line and a commuter train, as I did, you will totally bypass the historic part of Atocha station and be stuck in the very Penn Station-y other section.