Transport and Communications All Over the World

Transport and Communications
Singapore's transport is definately one of the world's most compliated and advanced. When Ms J told us about her experience in the different transport in different parts of the world ('Thanks mate!'), it kinda struck me how different Singapore's transport is so different from the rest of the world's. Here are some of the unique transport in 2 very different countries: Bangkok (a less developed country) and Paris (a developed country)!


Transport in Bangkok (Also known as 'The Big Mango')
In Bangkok, there are many different types of transport. They have the Skytrain (BTS), MRT, river taxis, taxis and Tuk-tuks. Traffic in Bamgkok is usually hectic, but it's always easy to navigate around. I was most interested in the tuk-tuks (I love the ring of it!), so I went to check it out.

• Tuk-tuks (derieved from the sound the engine makes)

This type of transport is a traditional type of transport and could be found long before the BTS, MRT and taxis. It is currently vanishing because modern transport such as the BTS are taking over. Tuk-tuks originated from the rickshaws in WWII, which were pulled by men and had a small engine. Now, riding in a Tuk-tuk is more of an experience rather than going around, and is also a tourist attraction.

Fees vary and depend on the distance travelled, tine of the day (such as peak hours), traffic and (interestingly!) the mood of the driver. A short trip would cost around 30 baht (around $1.21 in Singapore). However, because the price is 'flexible', people say that negotiating is a must. Also, taking a Tuk-tuk is rather expensive (taking a taxi may be cheaper then taking a Tuk-tuk!). 

• BTS

This is somewhat like the usual LRT we see in Singapore. BTS have 2 different lines:

The Silom Line and the Sukhumvit Line. The Silom Line (light green in the map) runs west south, between the National Stadium to the Siam shopping centre in Wongwian Yai in Thonburi (which is actually across a river!). The Sukhumvit Line (darker green in the map) runs north east from Mo Chit to On Nut. Both lines meet at Siam Station (poor thing, the have to go all the way there to change line!). Fares start from 15 baht at one stop and the last train leaves between 2230 to 2250. They have peak hours like Singapore's MRT too, and that is 7am to 9am and 4pm to 7pm as it is a popular mode of transport for everyday life.

Transport in Paris (The City Of Light and Love!)

There are many ways to travel in Paris, and that includes the Metro, RER trains and Paris buses. 

• Metro trains

Metro trains are not only found in Paris. They can be found in Chicago, Melbourne, Washington DC and Los Angeles. It is a popular mode of transport there and about nine million passengers board the metro train everyday. Yep, and it sure is complicated! It has 200 kilometres of track and 370 stations... wanna see the map?

Sorry... I can't find the map that has only Metro trains (this one includes RER trains). However, even when it is enlarged, you still can't see the names of the stations! 370 stations in one map... it looks so much more modern than Bangkok's! Thus I think that transport in a country can determine how advanced a country is... am I right? Anyway, if you think that the MRT map in Singapore (which has only 89 stations) is so complicated I guess we should be thankful that Singapore isn't as big as Paris is ;). 

Metro lines are numbered from 1 to 15, and the direction of the train is indicated by the last stop of that train. For example, eastbound Line 1 trains are labeled as Chateau de Vincennes, while westbound Line 1 trains are labeled as La Defense. People have to board the trains using their 'Paris Metro Pass' (Which can be used to take other types of transport too. Watch video in here to learn more http://paris.conciergerie.com/pass/paris_metro_pass.php). Trains start at 0530 and end at 0030.

RER Trains

RER trains look a lot like MRTs in Singapore, don't they? Plus, there is a double-decker type too! Here is the map for RER trains:

 There are 5 lines in RER trains, A (red line), B (blue line), C (yellow line), D (green line) and E (pink line). They are available from 0530 to 0030, just like the metro train.  Actually, there is also a map that combines both the metro trains' map and the RER trains' map (the one in the 'metro trains' part), and it is REALLY complicated. One look and I found my first reason why I should not go to Paris (although I am still going. Duh... not even 50 reasons would keep me from going to Paris!!!).

Unlike metro trains that only cover 2 zones, RER trains cover 5 zones of the province which contains Paris! Also, RER trains connects major tourist attracttions and ports of entry to the heart of Paris, which is near St. Michel- Notre Dame.

I wonder why not the Eiffel Tower? :)

Actually, there are so many more unique and interesting modes of transport in the world...

and one that caught my eye was the Bamboo train that can be found in Cambodia...

Bamboo train (aka Norries, 'Bamboo slab on wheels')

Bamboo trains can be found in Cambodia. Bamboo trains are simple trains that are made of Bamboo and are usually handcrafted by the Cambodians themselves. Transportation in Cambodia (country destroyed by years of civil war) is a struggle. Cambodians actually have trains but they run infrequently. Moreover, trips on the trains are long as breakdowns and derailments are common. Thus, Cambodian villagers have come up with a simple version of the train- the bamboo train. 

The bamboo trains are made of a combination of strong and abundant bamboo, as well as parts of abandoned military tanks. The original bamboo trains originated in the 1970s, and were controlled by a series of levers and hand-cast controls. Now they have wooden footbrakes too, which were provided by the United Nations relief effort in the 1980s.

Bamboo trains 'ride on existing tracks and spurs. Here comes the interesting part: when a bamboo train meets another on the same track, the train with the least passengers carries the bamboo train off the track to let the other go by. Once they meet the end of the track, they carry the train and head back. How... cute!

These trains provide a link between villages, as well as a way to get animals, produce and building materials to the market. It is also a means of income, because many rich tourists pay them up to $2 a day, which is actually 2 months' pay for the people in Cambodia. 

What is typed here about the bamboo train comes alive HERE... As I watched this video, I giggled at the pure simplicity of this train, but even so I could not help but be grateful for the advanced technology and transport in Singapore. Our lives here are made so convinient. Thank God for blessing our beautiful Singapore!

Joanne

References:

http://www.bangkok.com/information-travel-around/
http://www.bangkok.com/information-travel-around/tuk-tuks.htm
http://4th-see.com/index.php?name=content&page_id=18
http://www.bangkok.com/bts/
http://paris.conciergerie.com/travel_paris/paris_public_transportation.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Singapore_MRT_stations
http://parisbytrain.com/paris-rer/
http://paris.conciergerie.com/travel_paris/paris_public_transportation.php
http://www.wildjunket.com/2010/02/25/around-the-world-on-10-unique-transport-modes/
http://blog.greenearthbamboo.com/20100125/bamboo-marvels/travel-by-bamboo-trains-in-cambodia-true-ingenuity/