Ian Griffiths
@icgee.bsky.social
mobility, cities, design, good government / principal at www.cpcs.ca / cofounder www.seamlessbayarea.com / making big plans and logical diagrams to stir blood 🏳️🌈
Using my credit card to take BART at SFO for the first time! 😍
August 21, 2025 at 4:40 AM
Using my credit card to take BART at SFO for the first time! 😍
“Diggy Scardust” is simply the best tunnel boring machine name, ever. And may be for the rest of time.
July 25, 2025 at 2:41 AM
“Diggy Scardust” is simply the best tunnel boring machine name, ever. And may be for the rest of time.
Toronto Union Station on a Tuesday afternoon at 5:15pm. 95% ridership recovery!
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July 15, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Toronto Union Station on a Tuesday afternoon at 5:15pm. 95% ridership recovery!
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Public transit is the best way to get to a wedding in Niagara! #gotranist
July 12, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Public transit is the best way to get to a wedding in Niagara! #gotranist
This reminds me of a video game I used to play.
May 17, 2025 at 12:17 AM
This reminds me of a video game I used to play.
Took the high speed train from Taipei to Kaoshiung in just 90 minutes. Was unfortunately in the middle seat, but the upside: equal view outside both sides of the train. Also the ride is only 90 minutes!
December 20, 2024 at 1:13 AM
Took the high speed train from Taipei to Kaoshiung in just 90 minutes. Was unfortunately in the middle seat, but the upside: equal view outside both sides of the train. Also the ride is only 90 minutes!
Over the next few days I'll be riding more and meeting with some local experts and government officials to better understand how Taiwan's transit is governed and managed to deliver seamless integration, and any lessons relevant to N.America. x/x
December 16, 2024 at 5:48 AM
Over the next few days I'll be riding more and meeting with some local experts and government officials to better understand how Taiwan's transit is governed and managed to deliver seamless integration, and any lessons relevant to N.America. x/x
My final observation would be that having some bus lines that are numbered, and some that that have names, can be confusing, especially because names need to be translated, whereas numbers do not. Also numbers can be bigger & more visible from far away as the bus is approaching.
December 16, 2024 at 5:48 AM
My final observation would be that having some bus lines that are numbered, and some that that have names, can be confusing, especially because names need to be translated, whereas numbers do not. Also numbers can be bigger & more visible from far away as the bus is approaching.
Fortunately the EasyCard is valid on everything, but other passes I could have purchased were not. But obviously if you don’t have to decide how much to put on a card at all, and can just pay as you go with a credit card, that is the easiest system of all.
December 16, 2024 at 5:48 AM
Fortunately the EasyCard is valid on everything, but other passes I could have purchased were not. But obviously if you don’t have to decide how much to put on a card at all, and can just pay as you go with a credit card, that is the easiest system of all.
I got lucky. I found a very friendly local who spoke a little English. Turns out the Roosevelt Rd. bus also stops at this next stop I got off at. Within a few minutes, another four-pointed star bus pulls up, and this time I see the text “Roosevelt Rd.” flash on rotating display.
December 16, 2024 at 5:48 AM
I got lucky. I found a very friendly local who spoke a little English. Turns out the Roosevelt Rd. bus also stops at this next stop I got off at. Within a few minutes, another four-pointed star bus pulls up, and this time I see the text “Roosevelt Rd.” flash on rotating display.
Looking at the different timetables posted at the bus stops, I did see a timetable for a bus with no number, called “Roosevelt Rd. Metro Bus”, and with a four-pointed multi-colored star symbol. However, beyond the name of the line, there was little English information.
December 16, 2024 at 5:48 AM
Looking at the different timetables posted at the bus stops, I did see a timetable for a bus with no number, called “Roosevelt Rd. Metro Bus”, and with a four-pointed multi-colored star symbol. However, beyond the name of the line, there was little English information.
To get back to my hotel, Google maps told me that the fastest way was a bus, something called the “Roosevelt Rd., Main Line”. The stop was easy to find, but I was a bit confused because most of the bus lines seemed to be numbered, but my Google instructions did not have a number.
December 16, 2024 at 5:48 AM
To get back to my hotel, Google maps told me that the fastest way was a bus, something called the “Roosevelt Rd., Main Line”. The stop was easy to find, but I was a bit confused because most of the bus lines seemed to be numbered, but my Google instructions did not have a number.
For fun, I checked out the Maokong gondola line, which brings sightseers around Taipei Zoo. It was easy to find, and they also accept EasyCard. Amazing views!
December 16, 2024 at 5:48 AM
For fun, I checked out the Maokong gondola line, which brings sightseers around Taipei Zoo. It was easy to find, and they also accept EasyCard. Amazing views!
Interestingly the station exits have huge human-sized numbers on the outside. The number of the exit is probably the most prominent thing you notice from the street. I find this interesting in contrast to the Bay Area where exit numbers aren't really known or promoted.
December 16, 2024 at 5:48 AM
Interestingly the station exits have huge human-sized numbers on the outside. The number of the exit is probably the most prominent thing you notice from the street. I find this interesting in contrast to the Bay Area where exit numbers aren't really known or promoted.
Line diagrams, system maps, and floor plan maps are everywhere.
December 16, 2024 at 5:48 AM
Line diagrams, system maps, and floor plan maps are everywhere.
With that out of the way, I rode around several metro lines and found it very easy to navigate. The wayfinding is excellent and logical – the lines have both a color and name, and the direction you are going in is clearly indicated by the terminal station & the color of the line.
December 16, 2024 at 5:48 AM
With that out of the way, I rode around several metro lines and found it very easy to navigate. The wayfinding is excellent and logical – the lines have both a color and name, and the direction you are going in is clearly indicated by the terminal station & the color of the line.
So..there’s TPass? EasyCard? It’s not clear which is right for me, as English info is limited – after agonizing, I finally go to the visitor information booth and ask for advice. Turns out EasyCard is what I need, and I can load cash onto it. Got a fun design.
December 16, 2024 at 5:48 AM
So..there’s TPass? EasyCard? It’s not clear which is right for me, as English info is limited – after agonizing, I finally go to the visitor information booth and ask for advice. Turns out EasyCard is what I need, and I can load cash onto it. Got a fun design.
There’s a 72hr pass but it’s only for the Taipei Metro – and I’m pretty sure I’ll want to take some buses and travel outside the city of Taipei. The “MegaCity” pass sounds perfect – it works across the region, on all modes, and includes free bike share, but it’s for 30 days only.
December 16, 2024 at 5:48 AM
There’s a 72hr pass but it’s only for the Taipei Metro – and I’m pretty sure I’ll want to take some buses and travel outside the city of Taipei. The “MegaCity” pass sounds perfect – it works across the region, on all modes, and includes free bike share, but it’s for 30 days only.
Taipei Metro requires me to buy a card or token to ride – my credit card won’t open the fare gates. I am faced with at least 4 different machines, and I spend about 5-10 minutes examining each one to figure out what I should do considering I’m going to be in Taipei for 4 days.
December 16, 2024 at 5:48 AM
Taipei Metro requires me to buy a card or token to ride – my credit card won’t open the fare gates. I am faced with at least 4 different machines, and I spend about 5-10 minutes examining each one to figure out what I should do considering I’m going to be in Taipei for 4 days.
A bit later on, after dropping my bag at my hotel, I decide to explore the Taipei Metro, which appears to be a different agency from the Taoyuan Metro, which I took from the airport. However, all the wayfinding appears to be consistent between the two. I wonder how that is done
December 16, 2024 at 5:48 AM
A bit later on, after dropping my bag at my hotel, I decide to explore the Taipei Metro, which appears to be a different agency from the Taoyuan Metro, which I took from the airport. However, all the wayfinding appears to be consistent between the two. I wonder how that is done
As I approach the entrance, I see a sign saying I can pay with my credit card at the fare gates, so I march right up and tap – and the gates open! No machines, no decisions to make. Super clear signage in the train, clear announcements – clearly this is a new service.
December 16, 2024 at 5:48 AM
As I approach the entrance, I see a sign saying I can pay with my credit card at the fare gates, so I march right up and tap – and the gates open! No machines, no decisions to make. Super clear signage in the train, clear announcements – clearly this is a new service.
Aside: I think it is a big red flag if airport wayfinding makes public transit hard to find. It’s a huge turnoff and makes you think, “if it’s this hard to figure out how to take transit from the airport, maybe this city doesn’t have good public transit.” Meanwhile in Taiwan...
December 16, 2024 at 5:48 AM
Aside: I think it is a big red flag if airport wayfinding makes public transit hard to find. It’s a huge turnoff and makes you think, “if it’s this hard to figure out how to take transit from the airport, maybe this city doesn’t have good public transit.” Meanwhile in Taiwan...
Arriving at the airport, promotion of public transit is so prominent it would almost be hard not to take it. Before you go through passport control, there are kiosks selling high speed rail and metro tickets. Exiting, signs with a train icon and “MRT” can’t be missed.
December 16, 2024 at 5:48 AM
Arriving at the airport, promotion of public transit is so prominent it would almost be hard not to take it. Before you go through passport control, there are kiosks selling high speed rail and metro tickets. Exiting, signs with a train icon and “MRT” can’t be missed.
Believe it or not I had my first boba tea *ever* today
December 15, 2024 at 9:13 AM
Believe it or not I had my first boba tea *ever* today
I have arrived in Taiwan to study public transit for a week & lessons for CA! I’m already finding the high speed MRT from Taoyuan airport to Taipei to be a seamless. The airport feeds you straight to the MRT, and payment was simply tapping my credit card at the gates. @seamlessbayareaca.bsky.social
December 15, 2024 at 12:38 AM
I have arrived in Taiwan to study public transit for a week & lessons for CA! I’m already finding the high speed MRT from Taoyuan airport to Taipei to be a seamless. The airport feeds you straight to the MRT, and payment was simply tapping my credit card at the gates. @seamlessbayareaca.bsky.social