WALKING TO MY JOB IN BRUSSELS

I told you already that normally I walk to my job every day (half an hour walk). I even take my bike sometimes. The main reason is not that I want to make some sport, nor I want to be a "green" environmentally-friendly guy...NO NO NO....the main reason is that I HATE PUBLIC TRANSPORT in peak times.  I refuse to use it, it is worthless. Yet walking or cyclyng can even be more challenging in Brussels, and not because the weather.

Last friday I decided to take my camera and take some pictures of the obstacles I find every day twice. Here are some samples:

End of the sidewalk...you shall walk on the stree!!!

Bump!!!

which one will it be???? after raining....

Bicycle friendly-environment in the European Quartier

OK....where do I cross the street? who has priority?....mmhh, not clear

More bumps??? nooooo....more stones!!!!

You need bricks at home? ...don't buy them!!! just take them from the street.

MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (Irish)

Today I received this from a friend who works in Dublin. 

Ireland is suffering much from this Global Crisis. Some experts forecast (minus) -4% Growth for this year. The issue is that it is a country that is not used to this kind of situation, and a whole generation has known anything but growth and wealth. 

Anyway, this video is dedicated to the Irish Ministry of Transport. But I hope other Minitries learn form it. 

I am seriourly thinking of creating a "home-made" documentary about registration of foreigners in the Schaerbeek Commune, but I need more time for it. 

Enjoy the music!

METRO AT PEAK TIME

As I said before, I feel so happy that I do not need to take the metro in Brussels to go to work everyday.

Once upon I time....I decided to take it! like today.

8:45am
This is the picture of the Metro in MONTGOMERY, and I was going towards the centre:
(click on the image to make it bigger)

As you can see above, there were 9 minutes difference between the previous and next metro.

YES 9 MINUTES!!!!!!! BELIEVE IT OR NOT 9 MINUTES WAITING FOR THE METRO IN PEAK TIME, IN THE CAPITAL OF EUROPE!!!


I tried to make a picture of people inside the metro, but I couldn't move, and I almost couldn't breath. I was lucky enough to find a spot and get in. Not everyone could!!!!

In these conditions, how can authorities dare to encourage people to use public transport to go to work!!!!!!

I think that if I had to travel in the metro every day in those conditions I would never pay my tiket.

Below is the picture when I got off, the line in the other sense (outwards from the centre). It looked a bit better with maximum 4 minutes delay between metros.

TAXI IN BRUSSELS

Taking a taxi in Brussels can be an adventure sometimes.
I have to say firstly that most of the times I use taxis in Brussels I have had no problems, but I want tou provide some advice as well as some interesting information about taxis that you should be aware.

The first difference between taxis in brussels and anywhere else is that you normally have to take them in the TAXI STOPS around the city, or call them through a phone call so they go to pick you up.
In other words, it is very unlikely that a taxidriver will stop in front of you in the middle of the street if you need him. Sometimes I see people waiting for a taxi in the street for several minutes without success, and no taxis are passing though or all of them are already busy.

Having in mind the above specificity of taxis in Brussels, what you need to know is the following:

The rates applicable in the Brussels-Capital Region
! New tariffs on 10/03/2008 !

Pick-up charge: € 2,40

Rate I (within the 19 communes of the Brussels-Capital Region): € 1,35/km

Rate II (outside the 19 communes): € 2,70/km

Waiting fee : € 25,00 per hour (1)

Between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. customers are charged a flat rate supplement of € 2,00 (the taximeter is fitted with a clock-calendar that registers this flat-rate supplement automatically).

(1) Waiting time: the taximeter automatically switches to waiting time if the tax is driving at less than 20 km/h, for example in traffic jams, at red lights, etc.

(2) Rates above include VAT

These rates are normally visible inside the taxi, like the picture below:

More things to have in mind. In case of complaints, the Ministry has made available forms online that you can fill in. Of course, you should memorize some details about the taxi, i.e. LICENSE NUMBER, and driver name which should be always visible.

LINK FOR COMPLAINTS ABOUT TAXIS IN BRUSSELS
http://www.brusselstaxi.be/site/

I have taken the rule of taking note of this information after I seat in the taxi, because you never know if you will have the chance later. Complains can be about speed, driving style, extra tours, etc....What is actually important here is that the Ministry of Brussels has open an easy door for users to send complaints. Now the ball is on your side, and it depends on you to change things. If you have any trouble, you have to speak up and complain, otherwise things will keep the same.

SURVEY ON SATISFACTION STIB 2008

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