Journal of Tormod Haugen

I feel different about different types of public transport. It all starts with the bus. The bus is something that might or might not be on time. If I am early, it will probably be late, and if I’m a bit late it will be on time, disappearing down the road as I’m running for the ’stop.

The bus to Bergen is different. It is relaxed. It only goes every other hour, and takes three hours to reach it’s destination. I have to plan ahead to get on it, because I probably need to sleep over before heading home again. Well, I don’t take it much now, and earlier it was the other way around. I mean, I took it down to Haugesund, then back (home) to Bergen later - over the weekend or something.

I can read on that bus. When going downtown, a 15 minutes ride, I have to look out for my stop so I don’t overshoot it. It doesn’t matter that much, distances aren’t that great once I arrive, but I don’t trust those buses. It is easier now; there is a loudspeaker and a sign informing of the next stop in almost every city bus.

The bus company is called Kolumbus, and are based in Stavanger. Stavanger is the next city south of Haugesund, and thus the loudspeaker woman has got an accent (She says Gadå instead of Gata - street). The woman on the picture was spotted on the bus this weekend. She was probably heading downtown to listen to the jazz - Haugesund hosts the Sildajazz festival each year (celebrating the herring. Nope, not the red one…).

Trains are better. Night trains between Bergen and Hønefoss(Hen (water)Falls - don’t ask me why) is nice. In the same way as the Express busses, these are plannable, and forces you to be on time. And they are even more precisely on time when you are at (or near) one of the ends. Lots of time to read or work if you take the train by day, and not so much time lost if you sleep on it by night.

Planes on the third hand are a hassle. You have to get to the airport. Check in luggage an get through the security station. Wait. Actually, wait some more - because you had to wait earlier as a consequence of being early. The airways companies require you to be there earlier than you want to. And then you board. And find your seat. And wait. And wait. And you’ll probably have to switch planes at the next airport; and if one of your flights were international you’ll collect your luggage and check it in again. And wait. And get away from the airport.

I like trains, but we don’t have one here.

My bike is better than all - for shorter distances. Don’t want to use it for international travels, though. And it isn’t much fun in the rain. Or strong headwinds. And it hasn’t got fuzzy hair in front of me.