When trams, trains and buses show a window in time

Article and image by Leoniscareful

Long ago since I made some infographics for NS railways chip system on international trajectories. This system minimised crime and theft, but complicated traveling and made the public buildings of railways stations inaccessible for those that are not traveling.’

Tomorrow is my aunt Marjan’s funeral. She was not crazy and that is what has created a bond between us. At two o’clock there is a service at Structuurbaan 1 in Nieuwegein near Utrecht. These days I catch the blue train on some days and the ‘b train‘ on others. Whatever that means. The people on the train appear to know me as the lady making the announcements seems to be aware of every step I take and every move I make. Do I have my own train again? The mouth mask on my face feels uncomfortable as I sit down and try not to think for every thought is transmitted to the announcement system. ‘You can travel via Hoorn or you can travel via porn.’ Did she just say that? Or is it the Doppler effect? Next stop is Uitgeest. Sometimes I get off the train a stop or two before my destination. Or if I am in a good mood I try to flirt with my fellow passengers or a member of the NS staff. Most of them are spies or so it seems. But we are all aware of ‘it,’ or that thing we never talk about. The thing that makes us bond and share our feelings and makes us keep a distance as well. All I want is privacy, some time alone for myself but the digital systems of public transport, automation and locomotion are intertwined for as far as it goes. We never talk about this. I hear the voices of friends far gone and listen to the murmuring sounds of the other passengers. What on earth is a b train? I close my eyes and dream away with hyper loop fantasies of swift international travel and border less freedom available for all as long as I know where we are heading first. In porn, I have seen people wander around naked in carriages of trains and buses that hint towards new territories with new species and exotic inhabitants. I walk towards the driver and wonder about the sites he must see. I have seen the same trajectory have alternative views. But we never talk about it. Somehow. I walk along the path and try not to stare. Will I see Das or will it be Dave? And how will we relate? Is it only natural we’re always together or is it because we never share sights anymore? The conductor is my friend of late but he seems not to know me. And saying nothing is often better than saying anything at all. Bin rules, but not today. I sit down faced towards what looks like a trap. A ho of that kind, if now is the time to tell. His posture is so over the top and his moves so alluring. He could be from far all the same. I try not to look at him.

’Venova’ is now for sale in the art shop section.

The image below is the outcome of an assignment for NS Dutch railways by Leoniscareful.