Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Personal Rapid Transit - better than taxi

I have described the Personal Rapid Transit system. Someone observed that it is like calling a taxi. Why build this system, when we can use taxis?

The PRT system operates like a taxi. You can book for a vehicle to come to your place, and ask for it to take you to your destination. You do not have to drive or park.

Here are the advantages of PRT, compared to taxis:

1. No need for taxi drivers - no shortage problem. No need to pay surcharges to get drivers to work during peak period.

2. The computerised system knows how to get the destination (and some taxi drivers don't know)

3. No traffic congestion - i.e. no crowding of private cars

4. Greater reliabiilty. If no vehicle is available, the computer system will notify you immediately.

I hope that Singapore will experiment with this PRT system, especially in the new town.

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