Transportation and Class

In walking around Sydney I have been struck with how the city and especially how the public transportation system is set up. Most things seem to be set up in a way to try and maximize the public good and public comfort. Generally, there seems to be a push for courtesy and stress on public comfort in public areas for citizens.  

            On the trains in particular I noticed that on some of the newer trains there was a cushion that was roughly at hip level. I had never seen anything like that on any form of train or public transportation in the United States. It became clear later that the cushion could be used as a head rest should there be no available seats and someone felt inclined to sit down on the floor they could rest their head on this cushion. The cushion is also at height with someone who could be in a wheelchair and could potentially allow for them to rest their head against it. The train itself is also kept very clean and would make people feel comfortable enough to perhaps sit on the floor if they are on a long journey.

            The public transportation system is well thought out and made to be easy for patrons. The train system appears very far reaching from the center of the city toward the outer neighborhoods and on to other cities. The public transportation system allows for movement across great distances, while trying to remain affordable for patrons. In comparison to cities in Southern California where public transportation is almost unheard of and rarely used. Growing up taking a train, bus, or other forms of public transport was seen as almost being of a lesser class or was considered dangerous. Having a lack of public transportation and a spread out city restricts the movement of people to different neighborhoods and in my experience it emphasizes a need for a car, however this is luxury that not everyone can afford. In my opinion this divide without well planned public transportation puts more separation between the citizens of a city and leads to this idea of a class divide. In Australia a large pillar of their nation is to have a classless society and it is shown to me in the way they have set up their public transportation. Despite having to pay for use of the transportation systems it is all standardized and much more affordable and convenient than using a car. This emphasis on all citizens being equal has made it so that the public good is highly favored.

            While here in the city I have used almost all modes of public transport available from the trains, to busses, to boats. This level of care and planning that goes into making sure there is a way to reach any part of the Sydney area reveals to me a level of understanding and care for the citizens in this area. All of the systems are well maintained and clean which brought me back to something mentioned during the trip to the Barracks at Hyde Park, where our guide mentioned how Governor Macquarie wanted to have a settlement where if the city and systems were well maintained it would lead to a happier and more productive populace. In present time it appears to me that sentiment has endured and I have really noticed it in the expanse and upkeep of the public transportation systems. On the trains themselves there are signs that tell people to keep their feet off the seats and I have never once seen a sign like that in an American subway or train. I feel that part of the comes from not only having a classless society, but from valuing the courtesy and good of others.

            I got lead on this train of thought from noticing a cushion in a different spot on the wall and noticing more and more about civil infrastructure and the value it can have on a society. It is clear to me through studying the attention paid to public transportation where the value of a classless society can come into play and affect the way society functions.