EcoWorldly

High speed trains, jet engines, or solid German engineering? What gets you there faster, in more style and with less stress? There is only one way to find out.

Air travel is widely regarded as the bad boy of the green world, yet it is essential for many of us who must regularly travel due to work, family or other commitments. Therefore the airplane is frequently seen as the only option for international travel.

However, airlines in Europe are coming under increasing pressure from the train as a viable means of long distance travel. In France and Germany the TGV and ICE rail networks are providing stiff competition to airlines on many routes, offering reduced check-in, security and boarding formalities, fewer delays and direct connections between city centres.

Travelling at speeds in excess of 300kmh, these services are encroaching on what has until now been the plane’s primary advantage – speed. Recent upgrades to the Paris to London Eurostar service bring the journey time down to little over 2 hours, and passengers generate less than 1 tenth of the Co2 than they would travelling by air.

But just how realistic is the rail alternative in practice? And how does it stack up against that icon of the industrial age, the automobile? The only way to find out is to pit each against the other in a head to head race across the continent.

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During three recent trips I’ve had the opportunity to take part in a virtual race and find out for myself just how these options compare in terms of speed, comfort, convenience – and nerves..

The Course

To fully test all of the advantages and disadvantages of each option, each team must make a door to door journey from an apartment in central Zürich, to a house in a sleepy village in rural Dorset. A little over 1000 kilometres in length and starting in Northern Switzerland, the route will take us through France, across the English Channel and wind up in the middle of the English countryside.

Besides providing multiple challenges for all transport options, this course conveniently represents a journey I had to make several times anyway..

The Teams

The Red Team is represented by British Airways, a taxi driver named Jörg and Avis rent-a-car. This is the high speed, high convenience, high carbon option for today’s busy traveller.

The Green Team consists of a tram, Swiss Federal railways, the French high speed TGV train, the Eurostar channel-tunnel train, and the former British Rail. A taxi driver named Eric helped with the last couple of kilometres. This is the low carbon high speed challenger for today’s eco conscious traveller.

Covering all transport options, the Blue Team is represented by an Audi A3 turbo diesel with the aid of P&O ferries and yours truly at the wheel. The blue team represents the ultimate in personal convenience for the public transport averse.

The Rules

The journey must be made on a Friday, and contestants may not start before 9.30 AM. No allowances are to be made for unplanned delays, accidents or other misfortune. Bribery of border officials, policeman or public transport staff is forbidden.

And so, armed with various itineraries, timetables, tickets, maps, and a portable satellite navigation device our three teams are ready to go head to head on our 1,000 kilometre challenge.

09.30 – Red Team, Zürich

My phone beeps to tell me that the taxi is waiting outside. Sitting comfortably in the back of the Mercedes Benz for the 20 minute journey to the airport I calculate that I’ll be in the air in little over an hour and I’m confident of proving that the plane really doesn’t have any serious competition.

09.40 – Green Team, Zürich

I finish my coffee as I have a few minutes to spare - I can time my arrival at the station closely to the departure of the train, not needing to plan for traffic delays and hundreds of other pitfalls which may defeat my red alter-ego before he even boards the plane. Tottering down the road I hop on to a tram which takes me to the main station in under 15 minutes. I’m stress free and looking forwards to travelling as opposed to being shepherded across the continent.

10.00 Blue Team, Zürich

Not bound by anybody else’s schedule I have time to finish my coffee and newspaper at a leisurely pace. Upon closing the car door I pause for a moment to sample the privacy and solitude of my own personal transport. The sat-nav tells me that I will be at the port of Calais in 7 hours and 12 minutes as I join the autobahn on the outskirts of the city.

10.02 – Green Team, Zürich Main Station

I’m already sitting comfortably in the Swiss Intercity train, gazing out of the large window as we ease out of the station. A comfortable seat, nice view and an iPod is all you need to travel in style.

10.05 – Red Team, Zürich Airport

On-line check-in is one of the biggest scams in the whole history of travel. There was a time when checking in on-line put you in a short queue and you dropped off your bag and went on your way. Today the queue for the bag drop is as long as the check-in queue and all I have achieved is 15 wasted minutes on the internet earlier this morning.

10.56 – Green Team, Basel Main Station

My train arrives in Basel, which sitting on the border of Switzerland, France and Germany represents the railway and freight capital of Europe. Border formalities are almost non-existent as I switch platforms and board the TGV with its trendy new designer interior for the 3 and half hour journey to Paris. The connection is well timed and we leave Basel and cross the border into France just a few minutes later. Travel has never been more delightful.

11.05 – Blue Team, Swiss-French Border

Keeping good pace with the train I cross the border into France in the North of Basel. The drizzle has eased off, the sun is out and with Jamiroquai playing on the radio it’s the perfect setting to stretch the Audi’s legs on the empty autoroutes of Eastern France. With the trip computer showing 50 miles to the gallon my eco conscience is clear.

11.15 – Red Team, Zürich Airport

Whilst the others are already in a different country I’m still less than 20 kilometres from where I started. Although we were supposed to be in the air by now, due to various delays (none of which have been explained or acknowledged by the ground staff) I am still standing in a queue, waiting to board the aircraft. Whilst twiddling my thumbs I note that this is now my 4^th queue after the bag-drop, passport control and security check. My good mood is already starting to wane.

To be continued - find out what happens next in Part II.

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