December 14, 2007
Shanghai Subway Surprise
Mayor Bloomberg continued his whirlwind tour through Asia yesterday with a stop in Bali, Indonesia to talk to United Nations officials about the global effects of climate change. This is after a foray to China, that brought to mind Ed Koch's Beijing inspiration for bike paths in NYC to The New York Times' Clyde Haberman. Like NYC, Bali was the victim of a devastating terrorist attack that killed and injured hundreds of people.
True to form, Mayor Mike did not shy from taking the subway while in China. While fare hikes are in the offing for NYC, one can still take a ride on the Shanghai system for $1.20. Bloomberg took the 2 subway from People's Square Station to Jiansu Road Station in Shanghai on Wednesday. We assume he was driven to the station, as he is in NYC.
Bali was the last stop on the Bloomberg's tour, where he reiterated that it was up to municipal governments, which are closest to their constituents, to take the lead on fighting global warming. The Mayor feels that densley populated cities are the best place to combat greenhouse emissions. His PlaNYC involves multiple strategies for reducing New Yorkers' carbon footprints by 2030.
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i was just there last month. took Line 2. It's extra effecient, brand new, and though it's totally packed all the time, it's on time.
matty, what's on the "straphangs"? it looks like a lady with her hand upto her head...?
Are they ads? That's what they look like.
i'm not sure. the train i was on had overhead bars at about 6 feet off the ground making it impossible for nearly anyone in shanghai to actually grab them (particularly the older ladies).
straphangs would be better like what's pictured above.
oh: brilliant thought. why not ask kenneth tan over at the shanghaiist?
What's $1.20 equivalent to in local currency -- half a day's pay?
I've been in Shanghai for the last few months (about to return to New York thankfully). And yeah, those are ads on the straps. I see ads for PROACTIV on the straps a lot.
Also, the shanghai subway works on how far you've traveled in the system. The most you pay is 8RMB. Bloomberg's ride from People's Square to Jiangsu Road would probably be 3 RMB which is like 40 cents.
Are all the stations as clean as pictured above?
I would think that the Shanghai subway would be immune from "suicide bombers" - but IS there a Moslem population in the country? Come to think of it, I believe that earlier in the year officials were quick to remove certain customs revolving around the current Year of the Pig...
I wonder if the black guy is a local or part of Bloomberg's entourage?
"but IS there a Moslem population in the country? "
yes, lots and lots, but as a percentage of population very low.
Yeah, most of the Muslims live in the western portion of the country. Also, labor is so cheap so the subway's always that clean.
Alex,
It's not just that. People in Asia tend not to be assholes like they are here and litter everywhere or draw graffiti. [stereotype]A lot of them still probably push to get on trains though[/stereotype]
"assholes like they are here"
obviously you haven't been to china. they're extremely rude. and they all hate you, despite what they say. particuarly gwailos like myself.
they're extremely rude.
Wow, 1 billion people just like that.
and they all hate you, despite what they say.
I suspect you're just projecting your own personality onto others.
particuarly gwailos like myself.
Only if you are oversized, obnoxious and inconsiderate.
they're extremely rude.
Wow, 1 billion people just like that.
and they all hate you, despite what they say.
I suspect you're just projecting your own personality onto others.
particuarly gwailos like myself.
Only if you are oversized, obnoxious and inconsiderate.
It's not just that. People in Asia tend not to be assholes like they are here and litter everywhere or draw graffiti.
Naw, I see people here spit and throw trash all over the place, but a janitor is never far away to clean that shit up. There's also a ton of graffiti; it's different from American graffiti, but it's there.
A lot of them still probably push to get on trains though
Yeah, they do. Instead of waiting for people to get off the train everyone just pushes their way all at once. Same way with elevators, it's pretty fucking annoying.
It's not just that. People in Asia tend not to be assholes like they are here and litter everywhere or draw graffiti.
Naw, I see people here spit and throw trash all over the place, but a janitor is never far away to clean that shit up. There's also a ton of graffiti; it's different from American graffiti, but it's there.
A lot of them still probably push to get on trains though
Yeah, they do. Instead of waiting for people to get off the train everyone just pushes their way all at once. Same way with elevators, it's pretty fucking annoying.
Alex,
That was not my experience living in Japan (and I would assume not Korea either)...then again, it's kinda hard to not follow the rules and be polite when its been so ingrained in their culture and language.