在海外让我认识到公交系统的好处 Living abroad

I first learned to appreciate buses when I lived in Latin America, and that appreciation has grown in China.

我第一次体会到公共交通的好处是在南美，而到了中国以后，这种感受更加深刻。

But before living abroad, I was very self-conscious about waiting at a bus stop. In most parts of my own country, the United States, using buses is seen by many people, unfortunately, as a sign of being poor.

不过在出国前，我在美国可是不喜欢等公交车的，因为多数美国人都认为，坐公交车是穷困潦倒的体现。

It's less so in the largest cities, where automobile congestion has made mass transit practical.

但是美国大城市里，交通拥堵导致大家更愿意做公交。

But, on the whole, public buses often are seen as a social service for people who don't earn much money or who are disabled, elderly, students or unable to drive because of traffic offenses or other reasons.

整体而言，美国公交体系更被视作社会服务，受众是穷人、残障人士、老人、学生和因为各种原因而无法驾车的人。

This attitude, linked to the US love affair with the car, has led to mind-numbing traffic congestion. Cars also drain huge amounts of personal income, disproportionately pollute the air and create a social barrier.

这种态度加上美国人爱车的情感，造成很多交通堵塞。同时汽车会消耗个人大笔收入，导致空气污染和社会隔阂。

In China, I learned to love the excellent bus service, impressive subway system and growing network of sleek bullet trains.

在中国，我学会了爱上公交服务、地铁系统和高铁网络。

In fairness, the country's population density is perfect for mass transit—usually not the case back home. Even considering that, mass transit is underfunded in most of the US.

不同于美国，中国的人口密度很适合大型公共交通。及时考虑到人口密度问题，美国多数大型公共交通的资金都是不足的。

On a recent trip to Palm Beach County in the state of Florida, we decided to rent a car only when there was no other choice.

前一阵子，我去了佛罗里达的棕榈滩。由于没有别的选择，我只能租车。

Luckily, we were staying just a few blocks from a main bus route, so we bought unlimited day passes for $5 each. The buses were modern, with cold air conditioning and front racks to carry riders' bicycles. They had hydraulic lifts for wheelchair users.

幸运的是，我们住的地方离一个公交大站点只隔了几条街，所以我们买了五美元一张的不限次车票。公交车很现代，有空调，还能放下乘客的自行车，也有轮椅升降机。

Most waits at bus stops were 15 to 20 minutes. Service was much better along main routes, but in other areas, waits often grew to an hour. This would have been more of a problem had we been trying to get to work or to an appointment.

等车时间一般是15到20分钟。主路上等车时间短，但其它路段上等车时间经常长达一小时，这不利于通勤或赴约。

I struck up some interesting conversations with riders I would not have met had I been in a car. After living abroad, I have no sense of shame about waiting for the bus, and I actually felt good about traveling in a more environmentally friendly way.

我坐公交时跟乘客聊天，如果开车可遇不到这种事。在国外居住以后，我等公交再不感到羞愧，而是感觉这样很环保。

We relied on the Tri-Rail commuter trains that serve South Florida to get to Miami for the birth of our first grandson.

我们乘坐南佛罗里达州的Tri-Rail列车到了迈阿密，看望了我的第一个小孙子。

The trip was comfortable and the train arrived at the Miami Intermodal Center next to Miami International Airport, where riders can catch a flight, rent a car, catch local or long-distance buses or grab Miami's local elevated train, the Metrorail.

整个旅途很舒服。迈阿密的终点站毗邻国际机场，方便乘客赶飞机、租车、转乘当地或长途巴士，以及换乘地铁。

While US public transportation still has a long way to go, all this indicates some signs of hope. It took decades for the $2 billion Miami Intermodal Center to become a reality—the idea was the subject of a study released in 1989—but now it is an example of how to do things the right away.

虽然美国公交系统仍需改善，但上述那些公共交通工具展现出了希望。迈阿密车站花费了十年，20亿美元，这个计划在1989年调研中就提出了。不过现在，这个车站是成功的典范。

Also, a higher-speed train that travels up to 127 kilometers per hour has begun operating in South Florida. It has been bolstered by an investment from celebrity billionaire Richard Branson and is now called Virgin Trains USA.

同时，南佛罗里达也开始建造时速127公里的高铁，由著名富豪Richard Branson 投资，名为Virgin Trains USA。

There is an apparent need to upgrade road crossings—motorists used to slow trains keep getting hit and killed by the faster trains.

路口的改造必须升级，高铁容易撞死骑摩托车的人。

But Virgin Trains has secured money for expansion by selling $1.75 billion in bonds. It plans to extend service to Orlando in a bid to transport tourists to Disney World and other attractions.

不过Virgin Trains为了确保扩建，已经卖出了价值17.5亿美元的债券。列车将扩建至奥兰多，运送去往迪斯尼公园和其它景点的游客。

Hopefully this is the beginning of changing people's minds and habits regarding transportation.

希望这是改变大家对公交系统想法和习惯的第一步。