Essay: Transport systems in London

A transport system refers to the structure and modes of transport through which animals, goods and people move from one place to another. Some of the modes of transport include roads, waterways, railways, pipelines, cables and space. If well implemented, a transport system seeks to minimize transport costs and ensure effective delivery of goods and services. Transport systems therefore determine the economy of a country. A good transport system improves the economy of a country since it boosts trade (Fengqi and Jun 2010, p. 46). This essay intends to compare and contrast the transport system of London and that of Shanghai. The areas that will be covered include their organization, fares and funding, their quality and safety and finally their environment.
Shanghai has heavily invested in public transport. This is due to the huge public demand for transport. It has an extensive public transport system based on trolley buses, taxis and even buses. The construction of a Transportation Hub named Hongqiao was a great landmark in public transport in Shanghai (Fengqi and Jun 2010, p. 45). The hub is for high-speed rail, metro, air and bus routes. It also has a metro system that is rapidly growing. This rapid-transit metro system has 14 lines. The lines extend to every urban district and suburban districts, such as Minhang and Songjiang. This metro system has a track of 548 kilometers. This makes it the longest system in the world. Shanghai also has about a thousand bus lines. Trolley buses are also operated in Shanghai making them the oldest operating buses in the world. Shanghai has huge railway stations. The three main ones are Hongqiao railway, South and Shanghai railway stations. There are two main international airports in Shanghai. The strategic position of Shanghai has also enabled it to use waterways. The north-south coastline is the largest port in China.
London has also a developed and an extensive transport system just like Shanghai. The transport system in London includes both the private and public services unlike in Shanghai, where public services are more emphasized. About 41 percent of journeys in London are accounted for by the private services while 25 percent by the public services (Computer Weekly, 2015, p. 3). The majority of public transport services in London are dominated by an agency named Transport for London. Just like Shanghai, London has a rapid transit metro system. The system operates on sub-surface lines. London has also an automated light rail. Even though the metro system of Shanghai is the longest in the world, the metro system of London is extensively used. It accounts for 40 percent of all the journeys in London. London has a more extensive railway network than Shanghai. London has 18 major railway stations. It therefore acts as the centre of the British rail network. The railway network serves internationally. The radial commuter railway in London, along with Paris, is the largest in the world (Guo & Wilson 2011, p. 95).
Shanghai has The Shanghai Public Transportation Card that is used in payment of fares. This card is a rechargeable cash card (Wang & Zhu 2014, p. 189). The card enables one to access various means of transport including trolleybuses and buses, metros, taxis, car parks, tourist centers, ferries and even fuel stations. The government controls some fare costs, such as in taxis. The transport system in Shanghai is mainly funded by the government and fares paid by commuters. It also get funds from World Bank when need arises.
Commuters in London like those in Shanghai, use electronic credit-card to access almost unlimited transport services. Travel cards are also used (Wang & Zhu 2014, p. 6). Unlike Shanghai, in London, both credit card and travel card fares are calculated using a fare zones system. The system divides the transport system of London into concentric circles. The funding of the transport system in London mainly comes from fares, which contributes 40 percent of the income. Other sources of income, just like in Shanghai, include grant funding from local and central government. London sometimes borrows money from Public Works Loan Board and European Investment Bank.
The transport system of Shanghai is of a high quality. It is affordable and convenient, safe and reliable and also very efficient. The government has introduced speed-limits to public transport system to ensure safety. The government of Shanghai has also put in place some rules and regulations meant to minimize and safeguard transportation (Fengqi, & Jun 2010, p. 190). The transport system of London is very safe, just like that of Shanghai. Some of the steps taken to ensure security are the banning of alcoholic drinks on London Overground trains, buses, Docklands Lights, trams and even on Tube. Metropolitan Police Service, City of London Police and British Transport Police have collaborated to ensure safety of commuters and to eliminate sexual offences.
Both Shanghai and London have taken several steps to ensure sustainable environment. In Shanghai for example, they have embraced low-carbon transportation system. The system is energy-efficient, it therefore consume low energy, reduce pollution and improve transportation energy structure (Fengqi & Jun 2010, p. 50). London has as well introduced cleaner buses meant to reduce carbon emissions. Operators in London are also encouraged to embrace green fleet management to reduce pollution and save money. London has also a wide electric charging network for vehicles. London has also encouraged walking by providing a wide range of walking routes to reduce car use and therefore ease congestion (Guo & Wilson 2011, p. 100).
In conclusion, the transport systems of London and Shanghai are very extensive. The two share many similarities and just a few differences. The differences are mainly in the extent of development but they do share the same modes and structure of transport system. Their transport systems are safe and convenient. The transport system in Shanghai is mainly managed by the public service whereas that of London, a large percentage is under the private services.