11-10-2005, 10:33 AM
Occhidiangela,Nov 10 2005, 01:36 AM Wrote:since European rail service is so excellentWhat? You've got to be kidding here (Well maybe you are, but I'll spin on a bit nevertheless). At least in Germany (the only region I know/care about its rail service), for the area of personal transportation, DB (Deutsche Bahn, the German railroad company) is just insufficient. While it may work between big cities, it's a real p.i.t.a. when you want to use it from less urban territories. Latenesses, 'Rail-Backup-Transportation', high prices and average comfort are the main reasons why the people travelling via DB are mostly either fans of travelling via rail, business men or just reliant on it as a means of transport - the rest of them takes the car (that's why DB doesn't perform strongly).
[right][snapback]94489[/snapback][/right]
[little example: my hometown to my university city: ~115 km.
By train:
Single ticket DB: 20â¬.
Bavarian Ticket (better): 17â¬.
2 People sharing a Bavarian Ticket Multi: 24/2=12â¬.
Getting to and from the train: 1*1,40⬠+ 1*2⬠= 3,40â¬.
Which amounts to: 15,40â¬.
Now the car (for 100 km):
Fuel consumption: 6.5l priced with today's 1.18â¬/l = 7.67â¬.
Tax and assurance: 500â¬/year / 15000km/year = 3.33â¬.
Obsolescence for a 7 year old car: ~500â¬/year / 15000km/year = 3.33â¬.
Abrasion: ~150â¬/year / 15000km/year = 1â¬.
So with two persons, for 100 km the costs via car amount to 7.67⬠per person. 115 km yield 8.82 â¬, even passing down the basic car maintaining costs (which many drivers, including me, don't). Unless fuel doesn't see a big step-up in pricing (which it will eventually - if this is so bad is another discussion), driving by car is still cheaper than taking the train. (not talking about speed yet)]
A French ex floor neighbor of mine once mucked me about our rail service system, stating that their's was way better - and I had no reason not to believe him. (Yet of course I portended that France is much more centralized than Germany, which simplifies many things ;) )
Quote:Thanks [...] for your insightsMy pleasure. :blush:
Greetings, Fragbait
Quote:You cannot pass... I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the Flame of Anor. The Dark Flame will not avail you, Flame of Udun. Go back to the shadow. You shall not pass.- Gandalf, speaking to the Balrog
Quote:Empty your mind. Be formless, shapeless, like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow, or it can crash! Be water, my friend...- Bruce Lee
Quote: There's an old Internet adage which simply states that the first person to resort to personal attacks in an online argument is the loser. Don't be one.- excerpt from the forum rules
Post content property of Fragbait (member of the lurkerlounge). Do not (hesitate to) quote without permission.