The ability to learn from others and adapt what we have observed to our own situation is a skill that unfortunately not enough modern human beings posses. Take politicians for example. Every year thousands of elected officials from all over the globe travel to far flung cities on “Fact finding” missions to observe and assess the ways that others tackle issues of education, health, transport, etc.
Inevitably the government representative’s return to their homeland after seeing the inside of some of the city’s finest hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and limousines, only to report that while the city they visited had some innovative ideas they didn’t think these would be practical for their city or its people.
I’m not sure if this is because if they say that there is a country or city that deals with one of these issues better than their nationality then they would be seen as being unpatriotic or that in reality the politicians fear that the citizens of their home fear change more than poor services or perhaps it is just plain laziness, but no matter what the cause the result is the same. Nothing gets done.
What does all of this have to do with Prague?
Well, I believe that Prague, can teach other urban municipalities a thing or two, especially in the area of transport.
Prague’s public transport system is one of the most efficient, effective, economical and enjoyable in the world. There is no part of the city that is unreachable by bus, tram or metro. And the reliability of the service is often frightening, well at least for someone who comes from a city where the only reason they bother to print a bus timetable is so that you know how late the bus is.
If only those elected officials from my home town of Brisbane had the opportunity to experience the cheap, cheerful, colourful and convenient integrated transport system that Prague has to offer to its citizens and visitors alike, perhaps they could solve the gridlock of cars in a way that doesn’t involve building never ending web of roads, bridges and tunnels.
I would strongly encourage those with the decision making power in all cities to visit Prague, and spend a week exploring the city by tram, bus and metro, not only will you see everything that this beautiful city has to offer but you will learn that a transportation system can be turned into something that would actually encourage people to leave their cars at home.
Of course nothing is perfect, and the Prague public transport system is no exception, so I would advise the aforementioned officials to be prepared to have their olfactory senses assaulted thanks to many of the passengers’ avoidance of showers and deodorant, when they enter a tram car, no matter how packed or empty it is.
Apart from this small hygiene problem, commuting and sightseeing around Prague via public transport is a pleasurable experience a million miles from the frustration I have endured in Brisbane, Sydney and London.
When visiting Prague for a long or short stay, I would strongly recommend exploring some of the city by public transport, especially by tram. You will not only get to see some of the wonderful sights but you will also be exposed to the sounds and smells of the real Prague.
