tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6609536178570975752.post5156674275726182137..comments2024-01-12T00:32:20.149-08:00Comments on The Overhead Wire: Friday Night LinkfestPantograph Trolleypolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17833159138533550544noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6609536178570975752.post-8556780262302263862008-11-22T17:29:00.000-08:002008-11-22T17:29:00.000-08:00One of the seven streetcar/tram manufacturers base...One of the seven streetcar/tram manufacturers based in Poland is Konstal, but it's now owned by Alstom. They manufacture the <A HREF="http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konstal_105Na" REL="nofollow">Konstal 105Na</A> (and I apologize for the lack of an article on the English Wikipedia). This model is actually influenced by the PCC, as are the Tatra trams commonly found in Eastern Europe. The Konstal 105Na is used in practically every city in Poland that currently operates trams, except for one (to my knowledge).<BR/><BR/>One model Konstal manufactures, the <A HREF="http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konstal_116Nd" REL="nofollow">116Nd</A>, is used in Katowice (their operation is an <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silesian_Interurbans" REL="nofollow">areawide network of interurbans</A>, and appears to be a lot like the Citadis. It's possible it may even be an apparant variation on it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6609536178570975752.post-91516366648100367512008-11-22T16:40:00.000-08:002008-11-22T16:40:00.000-08:00I don't expect this view to be popular on this sit...I don't expect this view to be popular on this site, but Metro should not charge for parking on inauguration day. <BR/><BR/>Parking for the DC Metro is tied into SmarTrip cards, Metro's RFID farecards, and users pay when exiting. There is no other way to pay for parking at Metro stations. Normally this is fine, as the number of tourists is small compared to the number of commuters. Metro staff at stations with parking are generally able to ensure that tourists figure out how to use the system--the tourists generally stick out. However, I still see tourists try to exit Metro parking lots without SmarTrip cards. They then have to turn around and go back into the station. This happens infrequently enough that it isn't a problem. However, if Metro charged for parking on inauguration day, this would cause major problems.<BR/><BR/>If Metro accepted cash for parking, or charged for parking on entry, I would have no problem with charging for parking on inauguration day. However, the benefits of not charging are outweighed by the costs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6609536178570975752.post-35573872299096732432008-11-22T11:34:00.000-08:002008-11-22T11:34:00.000-08:00Washington would be insane to do anything other th...Washington would be insane to do anything other than surface/transit for the Viaduct - which is what Seattle voters preferred in a 2007 vote. Especially with a $5 billion deficit facing state government - I don't see how Gregoire can justify $3 billion on a new viaduct or a tunnel.<BR/><BR/>The outcome here will be exactly what I have been predicting for three years - they will move the money allocated to a new viaduct over to pay for the new 520 bridge and do a surface/transit solution for the Alaskan Way corridor. It's the obvious solution.Robert Cruickshankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06906581839066570472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6609536178570975752.post-81705786390949351392008-11-22T06:04:00.000-08:002008-11-22T06:04:00.000-08:00With so many companies in Poland, it's interesting...With so many companies in Poland, it's interesting, that only Skoda bid on the TTC contract for 204 new streetcars.Justinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17536532964936231120noreply@blogger.com