Comments on: Demi-tarif (Half-fare card)

By: Pumpkin

Pumpkin — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 06:55:32 +0000

Expatraveler,
One of the mothers in the village told me that her husband takes the train back and forth to work every day in La Chaux-de-fonds. Technically, it is longer but since the traffic is so bad there due to the French coming into Switzerland to work it is faster and less stressful to go by train.

We have found that the trains are faster on many trips than by car.

I am happy to know about the car rental possiblity through GL’s comment….thanks, again…Globial Librarian!!!

By: expatraveler

expatraveler — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:28:31 +0000

I think Switzerland is incredible for train transportation and door to door delivery for transportation. GL’s advise is wonderful too. I miss the great train transportation like Switzerland as here I have to make 3 changes and an hr later to do what I can do in 20 mins by car.

By: Pumpkin

Pumpkin — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:07:53 +0000

Susie,
It is interesting how different countries react to different things such as chicken pox. When I was a kid I had to stay in the house for two very long weeks so I didn’t infect others. So, I was surprised that the mothers and teachers here were not concerned about containing the virus.

Some of the photos are over three years old taken during my first visits to Switzerland.

Sissi,
If you plan on taking the train more than three times to any big cities other than those close to you it is worth buying the demi-tarif card. It quickly pays for itself. All you need to do is get your three oldest children the Junior Card with the third one being free…your youngest daughter travels for free anyway since she is under six. Your kids will love the train.

Lisa,
I understand because when I was in high school we lived in the country with nothing around us but corn fields. After my brother and I started driving there were four drivers in the house with four cars in the drive way. It was the only way for everyone to get where they needed to go.

I have heard from my parents how hard it is with the rising cost of gas in the States. For many there is no way around it and that is why I hope that public transportation becomes a hot topic. I think it is the only real solution.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:27:22 +0000

I am so very, very envious of your public transportation. With rising gas prices and living in the suburbs (nothing is within walking or biking distance) we now have three vehicles in order for my hubby and teen to work and myself to be able to get the younger children to their various appointments. It sounds crazy but another family I know spends more on gas (not to mention wear and tear on their cars) trying to share two vehicles for four driver’s.

The big trucks (a Texas tradition) are dropping in value and everyone is fighting over/buying the smaller vehicles. If we had public transportation we would only own one vehicle. For now we try to limit errands, grocery shopping and visiting friends/family to a couple days a week in order to save on gas.

By: sissi

sissi — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:39:15 +0000

Hi Pumpkin

Thank you for this entry.
Yesterday I was looking around for a train fare to go from my place to Bern. I couldn’t find a special fare for kids.
Since I don’t have a demi-tarif card, prices are more expensive than taking my car (68 francs per person from P. to Berne).

You are right, car are too expensive and a waste of money, we spend so much on our car it is ridiculous ( and sad).

By: Susie Vereker

Susie Vereker — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:41:38 +0000

Amazing photos.
(Was also interested to hear about the chicken pox vaccine!)

By: Pumpkin

Pumpkin — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:25:32 +0000

Global Librarian,
I tried their website but haven’t had much luck getting it to give me a quote. I am going to make my husband call them and see how much it will cost for us to rent one of their cars. I think we can pick it up right at the train station in our village. Thank you for the link and I think being able to rent a car and use the trains is going to keep us from ever buying a car. :)

Penny,
We took the trains a few times in France but it isn’t nearly as practical and is more expensive than Switzerland for a family of six. Perhaps there are special programs in France that you can buy like in Switzerland that makes it cheaper.

By: Penny

Penny — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:02:52 +0000

I love taking the train too although I suspect it is a little more expensive here in France. We too dont have a car and are not planning on buying one. But we also need to rethink our hospital backup plan

By: Global Librarian

Global Librarian — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:34:55 +0000

You might want to consider Mobility Car (http://www.mobility.ch). It’s a car sharing program here in Switzerland. The cars are parked in locations all over the country, mostly train stations, and you can arrange to use them online. It’s a pretty cheap way to have access to a car those few times you may need one. You can arrange for a 3-month trial period to test it.

If there is an emergency and there isn’t a mobility car available at short notice, you could always call a taxi.