Going underground

Answer: “I think it is a wonderful idea, it will certainly ease the traffic problems.” Question: Once the rail link is open will you leave your car at home?
Answer: “Oh no, because the nearest station is quite a walk from my place of work and also the place I go for lunch is nowhere near a station, either.” Student: Question: Do you support the new underground rail network?” Answer: “At last the right wing government are taking the issue of the environment seriously and they are doing something to safeguard our beautiful island.” Question: Will you leave your car at home and use the rail link? Answer: “Oh, no because I live in Inca and it's a lot easier for me to drive to the university instead of leaving my car in the Plaza España and then catching the train. But I am sure it will benefit loads of people.” Eh, like who? “Well, tourists..., just look at the gridlock during the summer months caused by all their bloody hired cars.” But, I don't really think tourists will want to go to the university or the industrial estate. “No, but I am sure that they will find some use for it.” Oh, but do you think that people will now abandon their cars and use the public transport network? “Don't be stupid the only people who use public transport are those who can't drive or can't afford a car.” Wouldn't it have been a better idea to connect the airport with an underground link to the new central public transport depot in the centre of Palma? “Well, probably because that way at least tourists would be able to get to their resorts much quicker, especially the growing number of independent travellers.” So, why do you think that this route has been selected by the Balearic government? “Because most of the infrastructure is already there as great use will be made of the Soller train tunnels and lines.” So, really, it's an underground system a la cheap. “Oh, yes just ask Mayor of London Ken Livingstone how much the Jubilee Line extension cost.” Yes, billions of pounds. But surely the second ring road which passes very close to the new underground route will not be built because there will be far less traffic in this area because everyone will be taking the underground? “Where, did you read that? As far as I know the new ring road is going ahead just ask the people in Son Sardinia who now have a double-lane motorway in their garden.” Alright, you are being very sceptical about public transport. What would you do? “Well, I would cancel the massive road building programme and increase the public transport network and actively enforce traffic restrictions because that is the way to end the gridlock. People are always going to take their car because it is far more comfortable and much more flexible.” Come on, people are concerned about the new road building programme, they have mounted major protest actions. “Oh yes, they produced thousands of bumper sticks to put on their.....cars.” So, what do you think is going to happen on the opening day of the underground system? “Oh, I am sure that thousands of people will travel on the new link because of the novelty factor. I tell you one thing though, parking in the Plaza España or at the university campus on that day is going to be a nightmare.”