Pic post: The world's top 10 city train systems

[ozbob]

The world's top 10 city train systems --> http://www.theage.com.au/photogallery/travel/the-worlds-top-10-city-train-systems-20130103-2c6l7.html

Where are you Oz??

[Mr X]

Surprised to see Singapore isn't on the list!

[ozbob]

As far as I know, there was a slight increase in trips last quarter, but paid trips fell.  Last real data has 50,000 trips more per week, 200,000 of those free, so paid trips falling 150,000 per week.  Not even keeping pace with population growth, and a lot of extra services, so not good at all.  If the free after nine was working it would lift up the paid trips as a carrot.  All it is doing effectively is giving the Mon to Fri commuter a free trip home, whilst Mr and Mrs Struggle are flat out even getting on board ...

[somebody]

do we actually know there hasn't been an increase in users?

Yes, or at least it's relatively static: http://translink.com.au/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/patronage-and-customer-satisfaction

Patronage for the 13 weeks to 30/9/2012 = 46.93m
Patronage for the Sep 2011 Qtr = 46.51m

[STB]

Interesting to see that.  I've begun researching New York as I do plan to head over there for a holiday around 2015, and possibly look at living there from around 2017 onwards (depending on how my career pans out), and I must admit, I kinda am not looking forward (if I can get there) the overcrowding, which I must admit, in some of those pics, makes the Gold Coast line look empty, so much for the 'Bombay Express'!  I guess in hindsight, if this happens, I'm actually taking things for granted rather than appreciate that at least I can at least get a seat here in Brisbane?

I also read on Wikipedia that there is no integrated ticketing in New York as well, you have to pay separate tickets for buses, trains and ferries in New York?

[somebody]

Interesting to see that.  I've begun researching New York as I do plan to head over there for a holiday around 2015, and possibly look at living there from around 2017 onwards (depending on how my career pans out), and I must admit, I kinda am not looking forward (if I can get there) the overcrowding, which I must admit, in some of those pics, makes the Gold Coast line look empty, so much for the 'Bombay Express'!  I guess in hindsight, if this happens, I'm actually taking things for granted rather than appreciate that at least I can at least get a seat here in Brisbane?

I also read on Wikipedia that there is no integrated ticketing in New York as well, you have to pay separate tickets for buses, trains and ferries in New York?

http://www.mta.info/metrocard/mcgtreng.htm
http://www.mta.info/metrocard/compare.htm

You can buy a periodical, otherwise it seems there is one free transfer on their smart card.

They actually charge more to use an express bus.

[SurfRail]

Honkers is the same I think.

The fare is so minuscule it doesn't really matter, and the payment system is common.