Dornie News Network
Hello, this is Jim Pearson, taking over for Gracie Liang at the Domestic News Desk, and welcome to NDBC News. Tonight’s top stories:
DOT releases study on Terrestrial Gate usage
In what is being dubbed "relatively inoffensive offbeat news," the Department of Transportation has released the latest results of its Quarterly Traffic Usage Survey. Designed to account for traffic patterns on various branches of the Hyperspace Expressway Network, the Quarterly Traffic Usage Survey has reported, amongst other topics, a 150% uptick in the usage of the Terrestrial Gate component of the Expressway. The Survey particularly reported a spike in usage during the summer months, and all current data indicates that the flow of traffic will continue mostly unabated. This is despite recent developments in New Kazakhstan County, involving both the Golden Flower Syndrome/Karax Syndrome, and the ongoing quarantine on Michael's World.
"It appears that what initially was a second banana to the more conventional stellar components of the Hyperspace Expressway Network has become quite popular," said Dr. Henry Langstrom of the University of the Anvil. "What we're seeing is that Dornalians, despite the easy availability of FTL-capable space travel--either through personal vehicles or larger common carriers--will continue to use groundbased transportation of all sorts to move people and goods."
Part of the appeal, per the Survey, comes from the fact that the Terrestrial Gate component effectively makes it practical for commercial parties like long-haul truckers and bus companies, as well as private commuters and travelers, to travel from planet to planet in a relatively short period of time with lower costs. One survey conducted by "Mad" Mike Tanaka, who drove a heavily modified Ford Falcon Ute known as the "Cannonball", set a record when they drove from Los Angeles to New Hajarra County in the Andromeda Galaxy in five days, twelve hours, but other commuters have reported times varying between one to two weeks, barring any unforeseen delays. While slower than stellar travel using the Stellar Gate component, it is much faster than other means. But there is more than that at stake--what is called "a subjective appreciation for the freedom and familiarity of familiar means of terrestrial transport" is another factor. Or, as a pair of interviewees put it, "You can't replace the romance of the open road, man." and "I like the idea of space trains! They're neat!"
Still, the Survey does highlight some problems with the increased use of the system. Traffic congestion has increased, as has the attendant rate of accidents and traffic stops. For example, travelers in New Sapporo have reported long delays to access the Governor Van Dam Terrestrial Gate, and the California Highway Patrol has reported an increase in traffic stops around the MacIntyre Terrestrial Gate and the Baileygates Memorial Terrestrial Gate. Additionally, the CDC's ongoing quarantines in New Kazakhstan County for both Golden Flower/Karax and the Michael's World Disease (OOC: Welded!) have limited the utility of the system in that region, which has seen elements of the New Hokkaido Sheriff's Department and the ICBA as well as CDC teams conducting randomized inspections and searches of stellar and terrestrial traffic, with harsh measures taken for any infected persons (with a considerable degree of controversy). A series of Phased Expansion Plans have been proposed by the DoT in order to repair and expand the existing Terrestrial Gate infrastructure, although this will not have an impact for some time.
Still, the DoT remains confident in the continued success of the system. Said Transport Secretary Michael Chan, "I think we're going to see continued results regarding the Terrestrial Gate system, both from the stellar side and the terrestrial side as well."
Thank you for watching the REAL NDBC news--New Dornalian Broadcasting Corporation news--not those jokers at National Dornalian Broadcasting Corporation.