Planes, Trains and Volcanoes
By Mark Foss
Over the past five days airports all over Europe were closed as a result of the eruption of the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano in Iceland. On Saturday about 17,000 flights were cancelled. Some flights began to lift off today (Monday) but progress is slow. The estimates of the cost of the volcano run to $200 million per day. The full economic impact of the disaster is yet to be determined. There is even talk of possible “bail outs†for affected airlines.
In the meantime Europe’s rail lines are benefiting from the air travelers’ misfortune. On Saturday all trains from Sofia, Bulgaria to Western Europe were sold out. Rail stations in London and Paris were no less busy. Stranded passengers took buses, Scandinavian ferries, high-cost cruise ships and $5,000 taxi rides to continue to their destinations. Air cargo shipments of perishable goods were held up; some stores reported shortages.
It is interesting to me that the American press hasn’t mentioned much regarding the impact on rail or other means of transportation. Perhaps it is because we are so car and airline dependent. It would have been interesting to hear less repetition regarding stranded passengers — and more transportation system analysis.
The natural disaster affecting Europe is unique to the location and situation. However, it makes me wonder how well our modes of mass transportation would hold up under similar circumstances. We do not have the kind of rail system Europe has — even regionally. Imagine for a moment an American disaster that might disrupt car traffic and airline flights in and out of a region. How would we move people in and out of the area? How could aid get in?
I don’t have a pat answer. Long-distance travelers face unique problems, of course. Travelers bound for Europe from the United States last week were simply stuck. Over shorter distances, however, we should maintain alternate (non-airline) means for moving people and goods in and out of population centers. For example, the Pacific Northwest would benefit from high-speed rail that connects regional cities — e.g. Portland-Seattle. Back in January, it was announced that Washington and Oregon were in line for $590 million in federal government funds for high-speed rail from Seattle to Portland. Unfortunately, it will take until 2017 for the line to deliver 110 mph trips from Seattle to Portland. All aboard?
Mark Foss has more than 24 years experience working for King County Metro Transit. His experience includes work as a bus operator, special ridership coordinator in accessible services and 1st line transit supervisor. Currently, he works as a communications coordinator in the transit control center (TCC). Contact him via LinkedIn.