Swiss Transport System

I have always attracted on other countries means of transportation. Their transportation were so organized for a tourists like me. It made my life easier using their transportation while travelling. So, today i would like to share about the Switzerland transportation system knows as the Swiss Transportation System. Switzerland has existed as a state in its present form since the adoption of the Swiss Federal Constitution in 1848. The precursors of Switzerland established a protective alliance at the end of the 13th century (1291), forming a loose confederation of states which persisted for centuries. Swiss has been one of the tourist destinations to go travel as they have a very spectacular view in their country. According to http://www.tradingeconomics.com/switzerland/tourist-arrivals they have made a chart to shows the tourism rate from the year of 2014 until 2015.

So it has been increasing over the years. For a tourist they would wants a maximum coverage on the country once they come to visits because it is once in a life time for most of the travelers so of course they would wants also to minimize the budget so they will go and look for the Swiss transport system that can offer them maximize coverage but minimize cost while they are there.

So here i show you what and how to used the Swiss Travel System. Swiss Travel System Ltd. is a marketing company founded by Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), Switzerland Tourism and public transport providers throughout the country. Its mission is the joint marketing worldwide of Switzerland's comprehensive public transport network. The key tasks include the marketing of the Swiss Travel System range of travel tickets and passes, as well as the promotion of cross-border travel to the neighbouring countries of Switzerland. Their Head Office is in Zurich, which are very close to the main railway station. 

The Swiss Travel System offers you 26,000 captivating kilometres of public transport. They offer the densest public transport network in the world and exclusively for visitors to Switzerland a unique choice of travel tickets which cover the entire country. Trains, buses and ships are ready and waiting to take you in comfort to your desired destination. Rail services are regular and reliable, with train departures every half-hour or hour and the Swiss Travel System also includes a range of attractive extras. They have a variety of ticket that you can choose from. Among the types of tickets you can choose from is:-

1. Swiss travel pass

The Swiss Travel Pass is the all-in-one ticket for international guests to travel by rail, road and waterway throughout the whole of Switzerland.

• Unlimited travel by rail, road and waterway
• Free travel on most panorama routes
• Free travel on public transport in 75 towns and cities
• Free admission to more than 490 museums
• 50% discount off most mountain railways
• Children under age 16 travel free of charge when accompanied by at least one parent holding a Swiss Family Card
• Children under 6 years travel free of charge. No Swiss Family Card needed
• The price are varies accordance to the age

2.Swiss travel pass flex

The Swiss Travel Pass Flex is the ideal ticket for international guests if you prefer to travel whenever and wherever the fancy takes you. It offers all the advantages of the Swiss Travel Pass, as well as a free choice of travel dates and destinations.

• Unlimited travel by rail, road and waterway on your selected days of validity, including most panorama pleasures and public transport in 75 towns and cities
• Free admission to more than 490 museums on the selected days of validity
• Children under the age of 16 travel free of charge when accompanied by at least one parent holding the Swiss Family Card
• Children under 6 years travel free of charge. No Swiss Family Card needed

3. Swiss transfer ticket

The Swiss Transfer ticket is the ideal and most cost-effective solution for short stays, skiing holidays and travelers staying at a permanent holiday location. It takes international guests from the airport or border railway station directly to your destination.

• Journey to and from a Swiss border railway stations or airport to your vacation destination
• Children under the age of 16 travel free of charge when accompanied by at least one parent holding a Swiss Family Card
• Children under 6 years travel free of charge. No Swiss Family Card needed

4. Swiss half fare card

The Swiss Half Fare Card entitles international guests to one month’s half-price travel from date of purchase on Swiss trains, buses, boats and mountain railways. this tickets are for those who wish to stay longer at Switzerland.

• 50% discount off travel with most trains, buses and boat
• 50% discount off public transport in 75 towns and cities
• When purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass Flex or Swiss Transfer Ticket, the additional Swiss Half Fare Card Combi is obtainable at the same time. It costs CHF 60.- and has the same advantages as the Swiss Half Fare Card
• Children under the age of 16 travel free of charge when accompanied by at least one parent holding Swiss Family Card
• Children under 6 years travel free of charge. No Swiss Family Card needed

5. Swiss family card

This card entitles to those who came with a family.

• The Swiss Family Card is available free of charge at attended Swiss railway stations or when you book online
• Children (under age 16) travelling unaccompanied are entitled to a 50% discount off the entire range of Swiss Travel System tickets.
• Children under age 16 travel free of charge when accompanied by at least one parent holding a Swiss Travel System ticket
• Children under 6 years travel free of charge. No Swiss Family Card needed

So I hope this information can help those who travels to Switzerland in order to arrange your means of transportation while you are there. As you can see Taxi are not included in the Swiss Travel System because the fares are much more higher. So they suggest to those who wants to travel there to used other transportation than taxi's. For your further inquiries you can visit their online website regarding the price accordance to the age.

Reference from: -
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/switzerland/tourist-arrivals
http://www.swisstravelsystem.com/en/home.html

Intelligent Transport Systems

The evolution of transport has been quite interesting like the hand phone evolution. If in the past,cars only can drive you to your destination but now a car are built like a hand phone all in one package products. It has a GPS to give you the map to your destination without have to think where to go, it also have the silent mode for radio when there is incoming calls from your phone, it also have the USB compartment to plug in our USB, it also have the airbag in case an accident happen, it also have a WiFi built in the car using your broadband to plug in and other installed in the car. In addition the car now are becoming key-less, means u don't have to use keys to start the engines. In Australia there is a system known as the Intelligent Transport System or also known as ITS. 

Intelligent Transport Systems Australia (ITS Australia) provide the development and deployment of advanced technologies to give safer, more efficient and environmentally sustainable transport across all the public and private modes – air, sea, road and rail. It is established in the year of 1992 in Australia and ITS Australia is an independent not-for-profit incorporated membership organisation representing the ITS suppliers, government authorities, academia and transport businesses and users.Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) is the technology applied to transport and infrastructure to transfer information between systems for improved safety, productivity and environmental performance. This includes stand-alone applications such as traffic management systems, information and warning systems installed in individual vehicles, as well as cooperative ITS (C-ITS) applications involving vehicle to infrastructure and vehicle-to-vehicle communications.

Intelligent Transport System (ITS) refers to the application of computer and communication technologies to manage transport problems.The rapid advances in ITS technologies have enabled the collection of data or intelligence which provides relevant and timely information to road managers and users. The aim is to utilize the various information gathering technologies to solve transport challenges. This system gives the driver the signals on the traffic and incident monitoring so that the driver knows that there is accidents in front or near them, variable message signs by warning the driver in advance on the congestion ahead to give driver a choice to travel on which road, displaying the variable speed limits to warns the driver on the speed limit on certain areas or changing speed limit areas, and lane use management signals to keep the driver alert on which lane can be used if there is any construction and the lane is closed and the system also can warn if there is any possibility on collision between the drivers cars and others. 

ITS systems are already in use in Australia and around the world through Managed Freeway schemes, electronic tolling, driver information through GPS systems, CCTV and Variable Message Signs (VMS).The technology is developing rapidly and Australian governments have combined to endorse a policy framework to ensure that ITS systems are used in the most effective way. Malaysia should have this kind of systems built in each of the cars used in Malaysia as the accident rate in Malaysia keeps on increasing over the years. By having this system it will helps in making them more alert while driving on the road and reduce the accident rate in Malaysia.

Reference from:-

https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/OurRoads/Facts/ITS/Pages/default.aspx

https://www.its-australia.com.au/about-us/

TGV Cinemas Self - Service Ticketing Kiosk

Last week i go to One Utama Damansara (OU) with my friends for some catch up session and we decided to watch some movies while we are there. So at One Utama (OU) they have 2 cinemas which is the TGV and GSC and we decided to go for TGV as they have renovated the space to much bigger seats and more comfortable and also good audio system. When we arrived at the counter i saw a few big machines being put aside the ticketing counter so i came close and that there is a new self - service ticketing kiosk for customers. Since we doesn't want to waits for the queue at the ticketing counter we go to the self service kiosk to try it out. It was super easy to used with all the instructions and super quick than manually queuing at the ticket counter. 

The steps are as follows:-

Step 1: Find the movie you want to watch from the screen at the kiosk.

Step 2 ; Select the showtimes, click the buy now column to select the showtimes and type of hall

Step 3: Choose the seats by selecting the type of seats and tap the next button

Step 4: Select the number of the tickets and tap next

Step 5: Check your order and make sure your order is correct before you pays. The machine accepts credit cards and also debit cards.

Step 6 : Collect your tickets and enjoy the movies

It was so simple and easy to be used and it saves your time than manually queuing at the counter. This self service ticketing kiosk are available only on TGV Cinemas at some of their outlet like One Utama, Sunway Pyramid and Cyberjaya. I will definitely choose this the next time i come for a movie here. How about you? 

Reference from : http://www.tgv.com.my/promotions/promos/try-out-tgv-cinemas-ticketing-kiosk

SmartGate System in Australia Airport

Due to curiosity i have when i go to Australia last few month hence i wrote this post. When i was first time at their airport i was amazed and in awe on how strict is their security there. It was exactly like what i saw on the TV on the CI channel on Astro. Everything must be declared first if u enter their country and the officer will check your bags before they allow you to continue your travel. There is this one case when i was at the airport at the declaration counter the other traveler brought meat products where in their forms has mentioned strictly that meat and dairy products are forbidden into their country. It was a heat argument between the visitor and the officer and it ends with the visitor had to paid fine for taking those products into their country. It was quite a terrifying but still exciting moments to watch how their officers handle that kind of things.

So the Australian borders was strict and there is also one time when i was at the immigration counter going back to Malaysia there is a woman with 3 children failed to fill in the forms for the Australian immigration and the officer just ask her to step aside and ignore her when she ask on how to fill up the forms. But still if you don't make anything wrong why we should be afraid of them and they are still quite friendly if we ask for a directions or any inquiries. Its just the rules we need to follow when we enter their country the same as our country. So that was my experience at their airport and when i was line up for an immigration check there are people who doesn't line up and go straight to this counter named the SmartGate. Most of them were the Australian's. SmartGate is an automated border processing system being introduced by the Australian Border Force and New Zealand Customs Service. It is a secure and simple system that performs the customs and immigration checks normally made by a Customs Officer when a traveler arrives in either Australia or New Zealand.

This is how the SmartGate looks like:-

The SmartGate uses electronic information in ePassports and face recognition technology to perform the customs and immigration checks usually performed by the Border Force officer.You are eligible to use the SmartGate if you:-

• hold an ePassport
• are aged 16 years or older
• from one of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America.

The crew member who meet these requirements can choose whether to use the SmartGate or being manually processed through the crew lane. The ePassports are as follows and only those with this passports can used the SmartGate.

The ePassport contains a chip at the front of the passport that includes all the details and information about the passport owners. Next we go on how to used the SmartGate, there are two simple steps that those who wants to used it need to follows.

Step 1 - At the kiosk:

• Look for the SmartGate kiosks located: at passport control, or near the duty-free shopping store (if you are in Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne).
• Insert your ePassport into the kiosk, acknowledge the Privacy Statement and use the touch screen to answer the declarations.
• If you are eligible to use arrivals SmartGate, the kiosk will issue you a ticket, which you will need for step two.
• If you are not eligible to use SmartGate, you will be directed to the SmartGate assistance desk for manual processing.

Step 2 - At the gate:

• Insert your ticket, issued from the SmartGate kiosk in Step 1, into the gate.
• Look straight ahead while your image is captured and compared to your ePassport photograph.You must try to resemble your passport photograph as much as possible. For example if you are not wearing glasses in your passport photograph, remove your glasses, and if you are not smiling in your passport photograph, do not smile.
• If you are successfully processed, take your ticket when the gates open, then proceed through the gates to the baggage hall.
• If the SmartGate is unable to successfully process you on this occasion, you will be directed to the SmartGate assistance desk for manual processing.

The face recognition technology works by mapping the underlying bone structure of the face such as the distances between your eyes, nose, mouth and ears. The SmartGate uses a mathematical formula to compare your image with your ePassport photo.There are slightly difference on the Arrival and Departure SmartGate. If you are in the Arrival you need to follow this 2 steps but if you are in the Departure Smartgate you would only need to do the two steps at the kiosk.The SmartGates at departures use the latest technology in facial recognition and matching technology and one simple step solution. The departure SmartGate will perform the role of both the kiosk and the gate.

By having this technology at the airports it have made it more easier and convenient for the travelers as they don't have to waits for manual immigration anymore and it certainly reduced the manual queue at the immigration counters for other travelers who are not eligible to used the SmartGate like me.

Reference from: https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Ente/Goin/Arrival/Smartgateor-ePassport

The Evolution of Mobile Phones

In today's era mobile phones has become a necessities goods that everyone will have. It connects people much faster and easier to carry everywhere. It will be weird if a person says if he or she doesn't have a hand phone. A mobile phone is a telephone that can make and receive calls over a radio-frequency carrier while the user is moving within the service area. So when does it all started? Lets take a look on the evolution of the mobile phones from the past era to the present era. 

In the ancient times, they use pigeons, letter, drums in order to communicate with other people but in the year of 1878, Alexander Graham Bell was the first person who invented a telephone and made his first phone call. After that a guy named Martin Cooper from Motorola company had developed a first practical mobile phone. The first generation or called as 1G were introduced to the public market in 1983 by the Motorola company. they used analog technology that are less reliable then the digital technology used today and there no internet, GPS, touch screen, SMS, video, camera music or bluetooth. The examples of the phones back then:-

During the 1990's, an improvements have been made on the mobile phone technology which used digital cellular networks knows as 2G. The rise in mobile phone usage as a result of 2G was explosive and this era also saw the use of prepaid mobile phones and telco companies emerge. The second generation introduced a new variant of communication called SMS or text messaging that was eventually on all digital networks.  The beginning of prepaid services in the late 1990s soon made SMS the communication method of choice among the young, a trend which spread across all ages. 2G also introduced the ability to access media content on mobile phones.

Since the 2G technology was nowhere near up to the job, so the industry began to work on the next generation of technology known as 3G. The third generation technology or known as 3G is what many people used this days. It offers nor only a text message, calls but also an access to the internet. it is not only transferring voices but also transfer emails, SMS and others. The high connection speeds of 3G technology enabled for the first time, media streaming of radio (and even television) content to 3G handsets became possible. This is where many companies like Apple, Samsung, HTC, Sony, Lenovo, Oppo compete with each other to serve people better technology that helps in delivering their everyday jobs. At this stage almost all the hand phones allowed the users to access to many things even a live streaming, access to many apps like GPS and games, sends an emails and others. this is where they are not called as mobile phones but a smartphones. We can have almost everything we wants from their apps offered. 

Now they have also started move on developing the 4G technology. The 4G became commercially available in the UK in late 2012 and offers super fast connections and similarly speedy downloads. Nowadays, it’s impossible for us to imagine to not own a phone. Besides, we totally depend on them. We go crazy of we lost the phone.

In a nutshell, mobile phone revolution has changed our lives. Before this, not everybody owned a phone and those who did can only call and text. Now, thanks to the technology advances in this field, other than having the basic functions of a phone, you can play, take professional photos with them, you can record videos, share them, text, connect to social networks, watch TV, listen to music and an infinity of things. For a lot of people, this fact has led to an addiction, as they need to be connected 24/7. I just wants to emphasize that the fact that technology has made our lives much easier in a lot of aspects. But still it must be controlled so that the technology  will not be used wrongly and effect a person in a wrong way than it should be.

Reference from: https://phoneevolution.wordpress.com/