Switzerland - railway services, facilities, improvements and incidents (merged posts)

[whole diary]

[John R]

Thanks Trowres. That was indeed one of the locations I had in mind. One station further south is where the trains split, with the rather curious split platform I described, as shown in the photo. The speed of dividing/joining was very impressive.

[RailCornwall]

Ahh the delightful Zweilutschinen .... Which is so much in shadow that you can get third degree frostbite in winter waiting if your scheduling goes arwy.

(Slight exaggeration)

[Trowres]

Grass is always greener... 

However, the Swiss Railways are State owned. Maybe we could try their model in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom). 

I cannot pretend to understand the complexities of the Swiss railway structure - some of the "private" railways such as BOB are at least part-owned by the cantons. However, the spread of running railways by complex contracts can be identified in the following document:-
http://fsr.eui.eu/Documents/ResearchReport/Transport/Incentive-basedGovernanceSwissRailways.pdf

[Trowres]

...
I'm not sure that culturally the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) can ever emulate the transport standards of Switzerland only envy it. 
...

Trainer, I wish that you had expanded on this opinion. What do you think are the cultural problems? (others please chip in!!!)

[trainer]

...
I'm not sure that culturally the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) can ever emulate the transport standards of Switzerland only envy it. 
...

Trainer, I wish that you had expanded on this opinion. What do you think are the cultural problems? (others please chip in!!!)

I was referring to the whole idea that we should share responsibility, costs and the transport itself and not take the more individualistic approach so many of my friends have where the car is king.  In Switzerland there is (to my limited knowledge) no stigma to using public transport even when access to a car is available.  It is a strange thing that such a capitalist country keen on making money has such a socialist attitude towards transport.

Those who visit Switzerland - even non-train enthusiasts - often remark on the wonderful system, but as soon as you mention the word 'tax' in explaining why it's so good there is often a slight splutter as we don't trust our politicians with 'our' money, so the thought of handing more over for trains and buses has been (certainly since 1979) felt undesirable. In turn the decline in the ease of using public transport in the UK (most specifically buses connecting with trains) is seen as a reason not to proceed with more subsidy for it.

I think to pick out this particular aspect of British life and how we approach it fails to address the broader political differences between the us and some other countries which often arise out of cultural differences in attitudes.  I will find it difficult to succinctly express those differences without sounding like some abhorrent nationalist - subtlety is essential and can be lengthy.  Suffice it to say, some countries seem more socially minded than others (perhaps the Scandinavian countries stand out in this respect) and that is reflected in their politics. I hope these few comments will be enough to elucidate my initial comment and provoke others to 'chip in' - and disagree.

(I did say I wasn't sure this was solely a transport subject! )

[Trowres]

Thanks, Trainer. You mention individualism and a reluctance to embrace collective funding (tax). But if I interpret correctly, you see these as symptoms of an ingrained national trait that affects a much wider range of issues.

This proposition raises interesting questions on the possible causes of such differences, and how stable these traits are. The population isn't homogeneous. If the "national trait" is due to some feedback mechanism, reinforcing the view of a small majority, there's the possibility of a rapid switch to a new situation given a sufficient nudge.

[ChrisB]

Hmm. NHS. Something the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) holds dear (too dear?) to its heart over and and above funding for absolutely anything else. The UK *would* in general, according to many polls, be quite happy to pay more tax for its funding. Probably to the detriment of anything else unfortunately

[ellendune]

Hmm. NHS. Something the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) holds dear (too dear?) to its heart over and and above funding for absolutely anything else. The UK *would* in general, according to many polls, be quite happy to pay more tax for its funding. Probably to the detriment of anything else unfortunately

Given how much less we spend on our health service than other European Countries (let alone the USA), perhaps not too dear.  You don't get owt for nowt.

[Trowres]

Ellendune, you've made me think...perhaps both National Rail and the NHS share the characteristics (compared with other countries mentioned) of meagre funding and patchy service quality...but maybe good value for money; at least compared with the US model. That would support Trainer's viewpoint (although why are we a heavy defence spender?).

[JayMac]

...but maybe good value for money; at least compared with the US model.

Presumably you're referring to heathcare in the US.

The bastion of capitalism that is the US of A, where anything vaguely socialist is nearly always seen as abhorrent, has a federal and state subsidised passenger rail service.

[Trowres]

Presumably you're referring to heathcare in the US.

Yes, I was thinking of healthcare. I have no idea about the value-for-money of USA passenger rail, and  comparisons with UK^▸ (United Kingdom) would be difficult due to the radically different geography.

[Noggin]

...but maybe good value for money; at least compared with the US model.

Presumably you're referring to heathcare in the US.

The bastion of capitalism that is the US of A, where anything vaguely socialist is nearly always seen as abhorrent, has a federal and state subsidised passenger rail service.

Not to mention an oversized respect for authority and tolerance for intrusive rules and regulations that would have your average Britons up in arms - 55mph on a motorway, no booze until you're 21, draconian legal practices, interior decorators have to be licensed, chicken that has to be washed in chlorine because food standards are so dreadful etc.

In comparison with the US and much of the EU^» (European Union - about), we are a very liberal nation - no ID cards or legal obligation to tell the state where you live, tax and employment law are very simple and (relatively) easy to comply with, easy to rent and buy property, few "licenses to print money" like having to have documents notarised or having to use an estate agent. There's a reason why this country attracts hundreds of thousands of people every year despite having dismal weather, expensive property and a minimal welfare state.

[JayMac]

55mph on a motorway,

It's 22 years since the federally enacted National Speed Limit was repealed. It was introduced by Nikon in 1974 in response to the oil crisis. In 1995 US states were again free to set their own speed limits, following many years of low enforcement and legal challenges by States against Federal government.

Interstate Highway speed limits are now up to 85mph (Texas), with the majority between 65-75mph. Just two states (Alaska, Delaware) and the District of Columbia have kept the 55mph limit on major roads.

[Bmblbzzz]

55mph on a motorway,

It's 22 years since the federally enacted National Speed Limit was repealed. It was introduced by Nikon in 1974 in response to the oil crisis. In 1995 US states were again free to set their own speed limits, following many years of low enforcement and legal challenges by States against Federal government.

Interstate Highway speed limits are now up to 85mph (Texas), with the majority between 65-75mph. Just two states (Alaska, Delaware) and the District of Columbia have kept the 55mph limit on major roads.

The Most Reverend Nikon to you!
https://oca.org/holy-synod/bishops/the-most-reverend-nikon

[chrisr_75]

55mph on a motorway,

It's 22 years since the federally enacted National Speed Limit was repealed. It was introduced by Nikon in 1974 in response to the oil crisis.

Indeed, we had our own lowered speed limit of 50mph in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) at this time.

The rest of Europe enjoys substantially higher motorway speed limits than we do, mostly 130kph (81mph), with Switzerland at 120kph and of course the legendary 'unlimited' sections of Autobahn in Germany.