mass transit is really urgently necessary

I'd suggest that people consider biking to work, like some do here in Sacramento and San Francisco, but, from what I saw in Caracas, that would be suicidal
Richard Estes | Homepage | 12.08.05 - 3:54 pm | #

Richard,

You are absolutely correct. There is good and bad news on that front. First Venezuela already has a lot of mass transit but it is very overburdened. The main subway line in Caracas is so crowded at all hours it is unreal. It is all you can do to get on and off the trains.

Now, the government is working hard to build more mass transit. New rapid transit lines are under construction in Barquisimeto, Maracaibo, and Valencia. Plus there are intercity train lines being built. Lastly, one new subway line is being built and another one extended in Caracas. They simply can´t arrive a minute too soon.
ow | Homepage | 12.08.05 - 4:20 pm | #

Do you happen to have an idea were that trail line traverses? I lived almost all my life in east caracas near Valle Arriba, well to do area to say the least, but non-car transit was always a pain in the butt with no Metro, steep hills and only those cheap buses to get anywhere (so I am pampered sue me )

A metro line to east caracas would do wonders for traffic. Even if the constituency is anti-chavista.
Flanker | 12.08.05 - 7:26 pm | #

Well I did some research and apperantly Line 4 will get as close as it will ever get with a station in Las Mercedes the problem is that it is on the other end. There is a mix line 6 that supposedly will cover a lot of southeast Caracas but that is further off.
Flanker | 12.08.05 - 9:30 pm | #

Flanker,

Actually, there is a problem. Right now they are only constructing half of line 4 - the part that goes from line 2 to Plaza Venezuela. East of Plaza Venezuela line 1 will still be the only subway line. And that is where it is most overcrowded. So until they get the full extent of line 4 built they are going to have major problems. The subway is just terribly overcrowded. I have seen lots of pushing and shoving of people getting on and off.
ow | Homepage | 12.09.05 - 7:57 am | #

Love the 2nd pic OW. Stunning - not the cars - the clouds hanging on the mountains, beautiful. Kind of reminds me of home - the lush greenery - very nice. Maybe Ill move down there - Old man winter kicks my ass stronger every year.
El Pulpo | 12.09.05 - 6:35 pm | #

Pulpo,

I'll try to put some nice mountian picks up for you. Indeed the weather is very nice if a bit wet.
ow | Homepage | 12.12.05 - 8:04 am | #