The TransTec calendar, somewhat of a tradition
Since the end of 2006 TransTec publishes a calendar for its contacts. This calendar is not only a practical tool, but also has marked esthetical qualities. The photos in the calendar are a mixture between technology and man, modernism and history, vehicle and landscape. We are convinced the calendar has something to offer to every taste.
TransTec adviseurs openbaar vervoer consults on all aspects of public and collective means of transport. Even if our name suggest otherwise, we look much further than the mere technical side of things. Transport is about people. And good, clean and sustainable transport contribute to a high quality of life. This is one of the ideas we try to convey with our calendar.
Calendar 2009
In 2009 we published a marvellous calendar. It was quite different from the previous editions. To begin with, it was a lot bigger than before. And the choice of pictures was almost artistic. Judge for yourself and have a look at the calendar here.
Calendar 2010
Click here to have a look at our calendar 2010.
Background Stories calendar 2010
Cover photo. The cover photo brings us to Bruxelles Midi, one of the largest and busiest rail passenger terminals in Belgium. The picture was taken on the south side of the station, where an impressive array of switches allows trains to continue towards such destinations as Bruges, Gent, Oostende, Paris, Tournai, Mons and Charleroi. Switches have s strong symbolical connotation. They can symbolize life’s important decisions and the diverging trajectories they have for a consequence.
January photo. Against all odds, the winter of 2009-2010 is proving to be considerably cold and snowy. Snowy days are nevertheless a rare thing in the Dutch Province of Brabant. On the picture we see a so-called plan V running on a local train service. This train is almost 40 years old, and it won’t be long before it is replaced by brand new Siemens-Bombardier Sprinter train sets. If you look at this picture again in say 2011 or 2012, the scene depicted might very well belong irrevocably to the past.
February photo. The February photo brings us to a misty and snowy Wallis in Switzerland. Although ski lifts would not normally be considered public transport, they do bring people where they want to go, even if it is only to come racing down a snowy slope. What’s so amazing about this picture, is the fact that the lift seems to be unemployed. With the climate change, maybe this could be considered a glimpse into the future.
March photo. In March we make a virtual trip to one of the most amazing metro systems in the World. Rådhuset station in the city centre of Stockholm features a most amazing design. It could be called minimalistic, but somehow that term does not cover it. Aside from the amazing stations, hewn straight from the rock, the Stockholm metro is special in many other ways. First of all, it’s noteworthy that trains run on the left side, a remnant of Sweden’s past prior to 1967. In modern days the metro was the backstage for the world’s first free Metro newspaper, first distributed in Stockholm before conquering the world.
April photo. The April photo brings us to Europe’s busiest port: Rotterdam. Although the scene depicted is eminently urban, the photographer is standing near to the Maas river in the heart of the so-called Shipping Quarter. This area of Rotterdam was less affected by the second world war and has retained some of the old Rotterdam charm. All things considered, the tram seen on the picture is not really that old, but its lack of low floor entry means it won’t get to advance much into the second decade of our 21st century. The next time you visit Rotterdam, you are likely to see a newer Citadis tram on duty at this location.
May photo. This month’s photo might very well be the most artistic photo in our 2010 calendar. We see a student waiting for the bus at a Utrecht bus stop. The scene was cleverly captured by a fellow student, and without much doubt photoshop helped to create the gloomy atmosphere. Busses play an important role in the life of students in Utrecht. The major Uithof university campus is situated on the outskirts from Utrecht. Every day the Utrecht Transit Company has to bring masses of students there from the city centre and from Utrecht Central Station. Impressive 25-meter long bendy busses are deployed to get the job done. They run every few minutes and are often loaded to capacity. The city council is therefore planning to develop an urban tram system.
June photo. In June we return to Sweden, to Gothenburg to be exact. This charming harbour town on Sweden’s west coast features the largest tram network of Scandinavia. The sturdy looking oldtimer on the photo is a so-called M29. Despite its old age, it still is an indispensable actor in the urban public transport screenplay. All the different shades of blue on this photo make it quite stunning. The tram we see is busy crossing an impressive bridge right in downtown Gothenburg.
July photo. In July we take a trip to the fourth most beautiful station of the world, at least if Newsweek magazine is to be believed. The wonderfully eclectic Antwerp Central is only preceded by Saint Pancras in London, Grand Central Terminal in New York and Victoria Station in Bombay. Architect lovers will appreciate the architectural clash taking place within the terminal: the wonderful 19th century grandeur of the station building and steel-and-glass construction gives way as one descends to the eclecticism and minimalism of a new underground terminal, which is part of the Antwerp – Amsterdam high speed line. For the sake of comprehensiveness, we should not forget to mention the dreary sixties style metro station which is also part of the station complex.
August photo. This month our calendar gives you a glimpse of the lovely west Frisian island of Schiermonnikoog. This little island off the coast of Friesland only has about a thousand inhabitants. Tourism is the main economic activity. As car traffic is restricted, Public Transport plays an important role on the island. The bus service is especially geared to bring people from and to the boat, as the display on the front of this Arriva bus clearly demonstrates.
September photo. Trains play an important role in regional and suburban travel in the Netherlands. The quintessential suburban sprinter train seen on the calendar photo is speeding through the so-called Zaanstreek on the busy railway line between Amsterdam and Alkmaar. The picture might not give any clues about this, but the important Zaanse Schans touristic site is actually quite nearby. Drums of tourists are bussed there every day to admire the unique sight of a cluster of windmills.