The more time I spent abroad in Europe, the more the realization set in about how behind and woefully inadequate the public transportation system is here in the US.
Gerrards Cross Station is an efficient station on the corridor between London and the suburbs that accommodate many expats and their families. I was able to purchase an all day train pass here and the staff here were extremely helpful. Even pointing out that if I were interested in waiting another 45 minutes that the passes would come down in price.
The trains that whiz through are high speed and extremely clean. Seats are padded for comfort and the locals know enough about common decency, something lacking here in the US (NY metro lines were well kept too, however) since I sometimes loathe riding BART. Bart and Muni trains are outdated, old, and host patrons that apparently feel that littering, loitering, and using public floors as urination targets. And on top of all this, the locals respect each other in regards to the close proximity of the seated and standing so no one was playing loud music or just the overall loud din that I encounter on a daily basis.
A good example is to ride the Richmond line in the evening and then go ride the trains in Europe.
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