gas guzzlers

[expat]

As usual you cant compare the US prices to the world.  $3 here is rediculously high.  Right now its $2.21 and thats to high.  I remember when it was 95 cents  When I started driving it was running $1.25 range.

Americas thurst for fuel has a very direct effect on the prices here in Europe. Each time there is a small hickup in the American production or refining capability, our prices shoot up because it is a suppliers market. America wants or needs more, Europe has to pay higher prices to secure a supply because the priority always seems to be the American market.

Also, public transport in europe is not all that eveyone makes out. If you are tourist, it is great, if you have to use it on a daily basis to get to work, it is overcrowded, often dirty and expensive.

Matt

[Woodlouse2002]

Also, public transport in europe is not all that eveyone makes out. If you are tourist, it is great, if you have to use it on a daily basis to get to work, it is overcrowded, often dirty and expensive.

Matt

Here in Cornwall the nearest bus stop is over a mile away. Then the bus, at best, only comes once an hour. And it'll probably be late and it will probably get lost, break down or catch fire before you get to your destination.

[elite marksman]

When in Bremen I used the train at least twice per day, once in the morning to go to school with my host, and once in the evening to come home, but usually four or more times, as we would go back into the city in the evening. Not once was the train more than 5 minutes late, and while not overly comfortable, the regular class cars were tolerable for the short ride into the city. Once there, we would take a either a streetcar or a bus to his school, the Hermann-Boese Gymnasium, again never more than a few minutes late, usually with ample seating. Note that the train to Bremen was the 6:30 train, so it wasn't terribly crowded, but we did miss it once, due to a mechanical problem with the bike that I was borrowing, and we took the 7:15 train, which was much more crowded, but still had seats for everyone.

As for the price, I was able to get a 7 day pass for about 25 Euro, granted it did include a student discount, and I am unsure of how much a regular 7 day pass would cost.

[Woodlouse2002]

It's all very well but you've only experienced public transport in a single fairly major european city. Go into the country side to the smaller towns and villages and you will wonder why they even try and bother. I'm sure in Washington DC, New York and San Fransisco the public transport is also second to none.

[expat]

When in Bremen I used the train at least twice per day, once in the morning to go to school with my host, and once in the evening to come home, but usually four or more times, as we would go back into the city in the evening. Not once was the train more than 5 minutes late, and while not overly comfortable, the regular class cars were tolerable for the short ride into the city. Once there, we would take a either a streetcar or a bus to his school, the Hermann-Boese Gymnasium, again never more than a few minutes late, usually with ample seating. Note that the train to Bremen was the 6:30 train, so it wasn't terribly crowded, but we did miss it once, due to a mechanical problem with the bike that I was borrowing, and we took the 7:15 train, which was much more crowded, but still had seats for everyone.

As for the price, I was able to get a 7 day pass for about 25 Euro, granted it did include a student discount, and I am unsure of how much a regular 7 day pass would cost.

Well in my German town, there is no street cars, just  buses that run at very unhelpful times. The possibility of going to work by public transport is none existent unless I want to pitch my tent for an overnight at the bus depot.  Quoting from your short stay in one city in Germany does not reflect the state of public transport in Europe anymore than me saying the New York Metro is a direct reflection of public transport in the US.

Matt