Modes of
Transportation
In 1970,
transportation had an entirely different face from that of travel today. When
we think of modes of transport, the airplane is often the first to come to
mind, but in 1970, it was the bus that most impressed people. Public transport
in U.S. cities was evolving to the delight of many urban workers who could not afford
cars. On September 8, 1970, Seattle Transit launched America's first express
bus service, "Blue Streak," which later would become the model used
to develop park-and-ride routes throughout the country. Three years later, Metro Transit began operation in
Seattle charging passengers a 20-cent set fare.
In 2019,
rideshares like Lyft and Uber are all the rage. The first Uber ride occurred on
July 5, 2010, in San Fransisco and a short nine years later, Uber is completing
more than 5.5 million rides every day. These
modes of transport are operated by individual car owners and pull straight up
to a passenger's location and take them to their intended destination,
literally door-to-door service. Surely 1970 bus patrons would envy this option
offering a more convenient and personal experience, and would likely enjoy not
having to rub elbows with strangers.
Travel
Safety
In the
1970s, air travel was considered more enjoyable largely
because guests had incredible freedom on board. They could smoke, drink, roam
freely about the cabin and TSA had not yet turned check-in into the equivalent
of being processed into a Turkish prison. However, the level of safety was
completely different than that of today. As 1970 rolled around, US Airlines had
reported around six crashes per year, nearly all resulting in multiple
fatalities. This was also the time of the rise in hijackings. American
travelers also experienced residual dangers when they left home to travel since
that era's method of home security was merely a bolt lock to protect their
homes. In 1970, burglaries were 1,085 per capita.
In 2019,
air travel rights have been severely limited, but passengers have become
accustomed to taking off their shoes, walking through metal detectors and the
occasional private search by TSA. Though flying may be less enjoyable, it is
undoubtedly safer. The last fatal aircraft crash in the U.S. occurred more than
10 years ago, and since 9/11, hijackings have become nearly obsolete. The rate
of burglary dipped to 430 per capita in 2017, so now through advancements in
safety and technology, travelers can order
security camera solutions for their homes online and
travel with peace of mind.
Overall,
man's traveling methods have come a far way since the invention of the wheel, and
farther still in the past 50 years. We have moved from bus lines to Uber apps
and party planes to safer flights. As far as convenience and safety go,
traveling in 2019 totally tops 2017.
