Going Underground!

MRT, Singapore

As I’m about to wax lyrical about underground transport systems, some people might say my life is in a rut but I’m quite happy with what I’ve got!*

City planners have been facing increasing challenges of high volumes of commuters for decades, with no chance of these diminishing; accommodating more traffic on heavily congested roads simply cancelled itself as an option years ago.  In fact, as far back as the 1860s, the Victorians realized that going underground provided a perfect solution.  Thus, the London Underground became the world’s first metro system thereby setting the blueprint for others to follow.

 

MRT, Singapore

A century and a half later, underground transport systems are found in cities across the globe; they are a boon to regular commuters and tourists alike.  During my recent travels, the two which have impressed me the most are the Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore) and the MRT Metropolitan Rapid Transit (Bangkok). Both of these transport systems make the London Underground seem shabby, dirty and slow in comparison.  The contrast of MRT stations, which are smart, clean and offer frequent train services, is startling and pleasant. 

Airport Express queues, MRT Bangkok

What also sets this particular duo apart from other similar transport services that I’ve experienced over the years - in the UK, USA, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong and China - is the outstanding orderliness of commuters who queue in an organized fashion and wait until passengers have disembarked before boarding the trains. The high frequency of services means that people don’t barge or queue-jump; instead, reading books or using their smartphones, they wait patiently in lines. What a refreshing stress-free attitude! What a pleasure it has been to navigate these cities!

* Showing my age with blatant plagiarism of Paul Weller’s lyrics to Going Underground.