Transpo in London

May 13, 2013

 I must compliment London on their transportation system.  The trains are very efficient, smooth, clean and frequent.  

With our 7 day travelpass we use the DLR (Docklands Light Rail) and the Tube. At 30 GBP UK pounds per week we felt that it was a bit  pricey, but now that we have been here awhile we realize that it is just not possible to drive in London; there is just too much traffic.  Plus, they have a high density fee of 15 GBP to drive downtown.  With our travelpass we have unlimited use of the trains and buses and the stations are convenient.

Another thing I notice on London transport is that even though I do see people eating sandwiches and other food and drinks on the train, they don't seem to leave their garbage behind.  And no graffiti either.  I don't know if the trains are so heavily used that people are reluctant to do bad things in front of others, or if it is just the British code of ethics that keeps them in line, but whatever it is we need some in Santa Clara County.  The London Underground Tube and DLR and buses are very clean.

The key to the success of the London systems is twofold--the frequency of service and the dedicated lines.  We have never had to wait more than a couple of minutes for a train or bus.  The trains go either underground or overland so there are no crossing gates or intersections to slow things down.  So, I think that is a hint to the people of California--more people will use the light rail if the trains are more frequent and faster.  With such short waits we have been able to zip into the center of London or down to the grocery store in minutes and it would take us at least 1/2 hour or more to drive, then there is the problem and expense of parking too.

There are also some nice safety measures in place here.  At the stations the trains are usually even with the platform so there is no gap between the platform and the train for people to fall into.  Where there is a gap there are frequent audio reminders to "mind the gap" or there are glass barriers--walls really-- to prevent anyone from slipping down onto the tracks.  Someone would have to work pretty diligently to get onto the tracks, it really couldn't happen by accident.

The 20 and 30-somethings here are also very polite and thoughtful.  Although the trains may be quite full some young person has always offered me their seat if there is not one open for me.  This is really helpful for me because, although my knee is stronger than it used to be, I still can't always depend on my knee to support me when the train  jerks to a start or stop.

The one flaw in the system is the bus service.  We always like to ride the public bus system in a city, just to see where it goes.  Well, we decided to take the #15 bus from town to Canary Wharf one day and it was rush hour.  Wow--it took 30 minutes to go 1 mile.  The traffic is unbelievable.

The Londoners do have another transportation problem though.  London is a very multicultural city and the population of London is comprised of mostly immigrants--Africans, Indians, Pakistanis, and many people from former Soviet Bloc countries.  While everyone still drives on the left, we find that there is great confusion for pedestrians--pass left?  pass right??.  We find we are bobbing and weaving and trying to guess who is a native Brit who will pass right and who is new and comes from a left-passing country.  Sometimes I just stop walking and stand still until the oncoming pedestrian passes me.  I am sure it is unnerving for a native too.