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marmar

(79,555 posts) Wed Jan 28, 2015, 10:20 AM Jan 2015

In 10 Years, No One In Helsinki Will Even Want to Own a Car: 3 Simple Ideas That Are Making ........ [View all]

.......Cities Sustainable

from YES! Magazine:

1. A Bus That Will Pick You Up Anywhere in the City With the Use of a Smartphone App.

in: Helsinki

By 2025, public transportation in Helsinki will be so good that no one living in the city will have any reason to own a car.

That’s the goal the city announced earlier this year, and Helsinki is serious about it. The Helsinki Regional Transport Authority is piloting an on-call minibus service called Kutsuplus. The service uses an algorithm and a smartphone app to combine the affordability of ride sharing with the on-call service of a taxi.

Riders hail buses on a smartphone; an automated system routes and reroutes the fleet to create the most efficient service for patrons heading in the same direction. It’s cheaper than a taxi and more convenient than a bus.

Free wi-fi and storage for bikes or strollers are included, too. Compared with traffic jams, parking fees, and car maintenance, on-demand public transit in Helsinki is looking pretty good. ....................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.yesmagazine.org/issues/cities-are-now/in-10-years-no-one-in-helsinki-will-even-want-to-own-a-car

14 replies

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Highlight:

In 10 Years, No One In Helsinki Will Even Want to Own a Car: 3 Simple Ideas That Are Making ........ [View all] marmar Jan 2015 OP

And the U.S. Will lag forty years behind. NV Whino Jan 2015 #1

Naw, we are cutting edge central scrutinizer Jan 2015 #2

But at least we drive (in our behemoths) on the right side of the road NV Whino Jan 2015 #3

And the U.S. Will lag forty years behind. AlbertCat Jan 2015 #5

Try closer to +100. nt cstanleytech Jan 2015 #12

That may work in cities but we are a long way from having a system like that in the rural areas. jwirr Jan 2015 #4

Yeah, the idea in the OP won't work everywhere. HappyMe Jan 2015 #6

I agree. I often get a ride to the store and then have some of my family pick me up to take me jwirr Jan 2015 #7

We try to not let the cupboard get too bare, HappyMe Jan 2015 #8

I always bring a book or a crossword puzzle to do. This kind of waiting only works with those of us jwirr Jan 2015 #10

What'll happen when the Google car gets thrown into the mix? KamaAina Jan 2015 #9

convenience will become very inconvenient olddots Jan 2015 #11

Where will we get race car drivers if Fin's stop driving? One_Life_To_Give Jan 2015 #13

I'm looking forward to the end of the automobile age. hunter Jan 2015 #14