Stuff we want from the metro rail
With the metro rail construction slowly starting to come into view around major pathways throughout the city, now might be the right time to consider what our expectations for the intercity transport system will be, seeing as we are going to be its users.
Ticket/Card system
In order to ensure the trains don’t suffer the same fate as our buses, we have to ensure there is a system in place from keeping the trains getting overloaded. There should be a specific capacity set for the train, accounting for both seated and standing passengers. In order to ensure the success of such a system, there should be a booth at the entrances to the train, where you have to scan your ticket or card before entering the train. That way once the capacity has been reached, no more passengers will be allowed pass the booth.
Comprehensive website and app
Coming into play with the card system, the website and the app for the metro rail should be a simple interactive way to buy tickets beforehand. The card would be somewhat similar to the Oyster card used in London’s underground metro system, where the balance could be topped up via the website or app using either a debit card or a digital payment system. Additionally both the site and app should also have a schedule for all arrivals and departures from all the different stations.
Maintenance
I’m sure this is one point everyone will unanimously agree to. We’ve seen the state of our public buses, and would in no way, shape or form, wish the same condition onto our precious metro rail. Therefore proper care should be taken for it, not only at the beginning but all throughout its useful life so as to ensure tip top quality. Also, rules should be put into place to ensure passengers do not litter on the train. Maybe setting up a fine system will help maintain these rules better as well. Proper care should be taken to ensure no one can abuse these rules, so possibly keeping security at each section to enforce the rules will help.
Proper Schedule
The entire purpose of the metro rail is to provide us with a better alternative to the bus, and part of that is ensuring that the trains arrive and leave on time, so that people can time their commute accordingly. Once a regulated system is set in place, people will follow accordingly, planning out the perfect time to board trains according to their location and commute distance. Therefore it will be of utmost importance to ensure that trains maintain the schedule they set themselves.
While the metro rail might seem like a distant dream, it’s slowly starting to come to life as more and more sections of the city are going through construction for its foundation. And as skeptical as you might be about the benefits it will bring, I’d suggest looking to the metro rail as an opportunity for us to cut down on traffic and make our collective lives a little better, even if it translates to something as simple as getting home a little quicker.
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