TRANSPORT – THE GERMANS DO IT SO WELL..

Are they all born with a bike saddle attached to their backsides? Am I the only non cyclist in Germany? Bike hiring businesses abound. Strangely the traffic doesn’t seem to be nearly as heavy as cities elsewhere. The air feels clean and no great problem crossing main roads. Quite remarkable. And how they locate their own “Fahrrad” parked outside railway stations is beyond me..there are hundreds all looking the same to this non cyclist. But hat´s off to them for cutting down on pollution. (note to self…learn to ride a bike!) Signposting can´t be faulted. Comparing it to Spain where signposting often disappears after a while when trying to find someplace. Here it leaves nothing to chance! Tourist sites, public places, transport networks are well marked. They even provide how many metres to reach the place. I haven’t driven here but assume the same attention to detail for drivers. Trams, buses, underground and trains are clean, frequent and fairly easy to understand (unlike other cities out with Germany). They are big fans of automatic ticket machines. Railways have good information points and staff members are plentiful, visible and helpful. Prices are certainly higher than Madrid. A Berlin Day Ticket currently cost 6.80 (July ´12). The German Railpass I bought for 299 euros gave me complete access to rail transport (sleepers excluded) during a whole month so I made full use of it hopping on and off Berlin trains just for the fun of it. Funnily enough no ticket inspectors came on board in the city so I assume the possible 600 euro fine for not having a valid ticket must encourage honesty. The useful railway network map is fairly straightforward, even for a simpleton like me. So OK I did ask a zillion times for help and to confirm I was about to step onto the right train but in general their system works. Especially well designed is www.bahn.de. It allows for easy journey planning with leaving/arrival times, platforms, connection minutes needed, train reference numbers, the direction header for. So as long as you know if you are heading north, south, east, or west you should be able to navigate. On board the visual sign in each CLEAN carriage states next station and voice announcements, the same. It even tells which side to disembark…links or rechts (left or right). I am very impressed with the Railway stations. Some are like shopping malls with even cinemas within. Potsdam, one hour from central Berlin has quite a variety of clean, attractive eateries, shops, cinema, information (even tourist tours leave from it) and is beautifully decorated. I compare the stations with Scotland and must say “Congratulations” to DB (Deutsche Bahn). Perhaps all this public transport efficiency is the reason for the apparent lack of car congestion in Berlin. “Let the train take the strain.” Remember that UK slogan from way back? The success of any public transport system lies in providing a reliable, efficient and cost effective one. Perhaps the UK should follow the German one! PS I experienced my first train delay. An electrical fault meant a detour and I arrived two hours late at Frankfurt from Berlin. We were kept informed and the polite conductor handed out claim forms (I should get a partial refund credited to my bank account). Free coffees and ice lollies for the kiddies too!