By Nicole Caccamo
I chose to write my feature story on transportation and how France is different or the same as the American transportation system.
Difficulties and Challenges
Of course, there was a language barrier when asking questions to the experts and passengers; it was probably one the hardest obstacles to get through. I also wanted to find a French traveler who has also visited Chicago and used our elevated trains and could compare and contrast the two, but that was very difficult to find out as well.
Ways to get from here to there
The “Metro” or “Metropolitan” elevated trains are much like ours except for the fact that the passenger must press a button, or pull on a handle (depending on the train) to exit. They have transfers to other trains and their ticket system is a little bit different too and the speed is around the same too.
I did experience a police officer issuing a ticket inside the station to one of our very own Columbia students because she did not have her issued entry ticket from that day. So needless to say they have strict security checkpoints at random.
Buses are also an option but can be very confusing. A couple students and I got on a bus to go to the Louvre but ended up exactly where we stared.
Taxi cabs seem to work on the same rates as ours do but tipping is not customary to the French.
Differences and/or similarities
Their trains are much like ours as well, but unfortunately there seemed to be only one conductor (if any) since the doors were closing on me and another student. There was no one to signal to keep the doors open.
I will add that most of the French people I have interviewed or talked with were very accommodating, knew English well and were very cooperative. They were very knowledgeable on any topic we discussed about their ways around the city.
Overall I think the French transportation system would be easy to catch onto but I prefer Chicago’s Red Line, the 151 bus or the Metra LaSalle station any day.
I chose to write my feature story on transportation and how France is different or the same as the American transportation system.
Difficulties and Challenges
Of course, there was a language barrier when asking questions to the experts and passengers; it was probably one the hardest obstacles to get through. I also wanted to find a French traveler who has also visited Chicago and used our elevated trains and could compare and contrast the two, but that was very difficult to find out as well.
Ways to get from here to there
The “Metro” or “Metropolitan” elevated trains are much like ours except for the fact that the passenger must press a button, or pull on a handle (depending on the train) to exit. They have transfers to other trains and their ticket system is a little bit different too and the speed is around the same too.
I did experience a police officer issuing a ticket inside the station to one of our very own Columbia students because she did not have her issued entry ticket from that day. So needless to say they have strict security checkpoints at random.
Buses are also an option but can be very confusing. A couple students and I got on a bus to go to the Louvre but ended up exactly where we stared.
Taxi cabs seem to work on the same rates as ours do but tipping is not customary to the French.
Differences and/or similarities
Their trains are much like ours as well, but unfortunately there seemed to be only one conductor (if any) since the doors were closing on me and another student. There was no one to signal to keep the doors open.
I will add that most of the French people I have interviewed or talked with were very accommodating, knew English well and were very cooperative. They were very knowledgeable on any topic we discussed about their ways around the city.
Overall I think the French transportation system would be easy to catch onto but I prefer Chicago’s Red Line, the 151 bus or the Metra LaSalle station any day.
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