4 ms·

Totally, buses never seem to stop at traffic lights.

odiroot 11y ago
You're probably complaining about the reliability of this map but it is actually often the case. In my district the buses frequently run the red lights.
mechazawa 11y ago
In my city, Eindhoven in the Netherlands, traffic lights are often calibrated to make sure that buses don't have to stop at a red light.
- jonasvp 11y ago
  God, how I wish I lived in the Netherlands...
  - donkeyd 11y ago
    We need engineers in the Netherlands, so you could move if you really wanted to.
    - benten10 11y ago
      Any need for Computer Scientists either? The U.S. is a crazy place to live for someone not from here. : (
      - donkeyd 11y ago
        Definitely. Many specialist companies are having a hard time hiring. Also, we have some really nice visas for foreign knowledge workers. Depending on your specialization/experience I could give you some tips if you'd like.
        Maultasche 11y ago
        I can confirm that. As a US software developer, I have pondered going to live and work in the Netherlands, and I've done some research. Their visa for knowledge migrants (kennismigrant visa) seems to be very easy to apply for and would pretty much apply to anyone who reads this site. You do have to find an employer willing to sponsor you though. The Netherlands is vastly more friendlier to skilled migrants than the UK, which seems particularly xenophobic at the moment, and I think it provides a much friendlier experience than Germany. They have expat centers (http://www.hollandexpatcenter.com/ http://www.hollandexpatcenter.com/ and http://www.iamsterdam.com/en/expatcenter http://www.iamsterdam.com/en/expatcenter) that were establish to help immigrants get established and figure out the rules, cultures, and customs of the Netherlands. I've been impressed. They also incentivise skilled migration by providing a 30% tax scheme for anyone moving there from outside the Netherlands, where 30% of gross income is tax free for a longer period (I think it's 8 years). I've even spent a couple months learning Dutch (gemakkelijk, maar de uitspraak is moeilijk), although that probably isn't necessary. I hear that English is almost universally spoken in the Netherlands. I'd certainly be interested in hearing any tips you have. I have over 10 years of web development experience. No mobile app development experience yet, although I'd like to get into that.
        benten10 11y ago
        I have researched the issue lightly, and am told that EU rules are particularly ...bothersome. Is it true that an EU company has to advertise for/and keep open a position for 3 months and show that none of the applicants met the requirements as compared to the non-EU applicant to be able to hire them?
        donkeyd 11y ago
        I've worked for a lot of IT companies that hired people straight from outside of the EU. Even for junior roles. It's not that strict.
        bloodorange 11y ago
        I've spent some there and can confirm a few things: - English is spoken by a lot of the Dutch (esp. in bigger cities it's almost everyone) - The Dutch are friendly people and are generally happy to help a stranger - 30% tax ruling is a boon in a place where the cost of living is high. Please do your calculations carefully before you consider moving to The Netherlands and ensure you have some clarity from your potential employer about the 30% tax ruling. Also remember that if you lose the 30% tax ruling, you (almost always) lose it for good. - unlike the usa where the visa process treats you like a potential (or a convicted) criminal, the Dutch treat their guests well. I only have good things to say about the process of moving to The Netherlands. - no amount of reading or watching videos will help you understand how the Dutch are, unless you live among them. They are straightforward, down to earth and a relaxed people. If you have made up your mind to move to The Netherlands (please do your calculations on earnings vs cost of living before that!), let me know how I can contact you and I'll refer you to the employer who got me to move to Holland (if this prospect interests you). EDIT: formatting
- davedx 11y ago
  It goes beyond that in the Netherlands. A lot of bus lanes have their own traffic light system -- they have very small lights to show when they can go or stop. :)
  - telegato 11y ago
    This also exists in Germany https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96PNV-Bevorrechtigung https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96PNV-Bevorrechtigung (Sorry, no english version available)
    - Symbiote 11y ago
      These exist in Britain, but are only used for trams. http://www.ukmotorists.com/tram_signs.asp http://www.ukmotorists.com/tram_signs.asp For buses, there would be a normal traffic light controlling only a bus lane, usually labelled with the blue buses only sign. It's not very common, but I know a couple of cases in London.
atopal 11y ago
Well, they don't actually follow streets. Looks like it's just the shortest distance between two stops, even if that goes right through a building or over water. Works surprisingly well though, I only realized after a while.
denzil 11y ago
Public transport is often prioritized and they got green light using some kind of detectors or remote control.

You're probably complaining about the reliability of this map but it is actually often the case. In my district the buses frequently run the red lights.

mechazawa 11y ago

In my city, Eindhoven in the Netherlands, traffic lights are often calibrated to make sure that buses don't have to stop at a red light.

jonasvp 11y ago
God, how I wish I lived in the Netherlands...
- donkeyd 11y ago
  We need engineers in the Netherlands, so you could move if you really wanted to.
  - benten10 11y ago
    Any need for Computer Scientists either? The U.S. is a crazy place to live for someone not from here. : (
    - donkeyd 11y ago
      Definitely. Many specialist companies are having a hard time hiring. Also, we have some really nice visas for foreign knowledge workers. Depending on your specialization/experience I could give you some tips if you'd like.
      - Maultasche 11y ago
        I can confirm that. As a US software developer, I have pondered going to live and work in the Netherlands, and I've done some research. Their visa for knowledge migrants (kennismigrant visa) seems to be very easy to apply for and would pretty much apply to anyone who reads this site. You do have to find an employer willing to sponsor you though. The Netherlands is vastly more friendlier to skilled migrants than the UK, which seems particularly xenophobic at the moment, and I think it provides a much friendlier experience than Germany. They have expat centers (http://www.hollandexpatcenter.com/ http://www.hollandexpatcenter.com/ and http://www.iamsterdam.com/en/expatcenter http://www.iamsterdam.com/en/expatcenter) that were establish to help immigrants get established and figure out the rules, cultures, and customs of the Netherlands. I've been impressed. They also incentivise skilled migration by providing a 30% tax scheme for anyone moving there from outside the Netherlands, where 30% of gross income is tax free for a longer period (I think it's 8 years). I've even spent a couple months learning Dutch (gemakkelijk, maar de uitspraak is moeilijk), although that probably isn't necessary. I hear that English is almost universally spoken in the Netherlands. I'd certainly be interested in hearing any tips you have. I have over 10 years of web development experience. No mobile app development experience yet, although I'd like to get into that.
        benten10 11y ago
        I have researched the issue lightly, and am told that EU rules are particularly ...bothersome. Is it true that an EU company has to advertise for/and keep open a position for 3 months and show that none of the applicants met the requirements as compared to the non-EU applicant to be able to hire them?
        donkeyd 11y ago
        I've worked for a lot of IT companies that hired people straight from outside of the EU. Even for junior roles. It's not that strict.
        bloodorange 11y ago
        I've spent some there and can confirm a few things: - English is spoken by a lot of the Dutch (esp. in bigger cities it's almost everyone) - The Dutch are friendly people and are generally happy to help a stranger - 30% tax ruling is a boon in a place where the cost of living is high. Please do your calculations carefully before you consider moving to The Netherlands and ensure you have some clarity from your potential employer about the 30% tax ruling. Also remember that if you lose the 30% tax ruling, you (almost always) lose it for good. - unlike the usa where the visa process treats you like a potential (or a convicted) criminal, the Dutch treat their guests well. I only have good things to say about the process of moving to The Netherlands. - no amount of reading or watching videos will help you understand how the Dutch are, unless you live among them. They are straightforward, down to earth and a relaxed people. If you have made up your mind to move to The Netherlands (please do your calculations on earnings vs cost of living before that!), let me know how I can contact you and I'll refer you to the employer who got me to move to Holland (if this prospect interests you). EDIT: formatting
davedx 11y ago
It goes beyond that in the Netherlands. A lot of bus lanes have their own traffic light system -- they have very small lights to show when they can go or stop. :)
- telegato 11y ago
  This also exists in Germany https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96PNV-Bevorrechtigung https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96PNV-Bevorrechtigung (Sorry, no english version available)
  - Symbiote 11y ago
    These exist in Britain, but are only used for trams. http://www.ukmotorists.com/tram_signs.asp http://www.ukmotorists.com/tram_signs.asp For buses, there would be a normal traffic light controlling only a bus lane, usually labelled with the blue buses only sign. It's not very common, but I know a couple of cases in London.

atopal 11y ago

Well, they don't actually follow streets. Looks like it's just the shortest distance between two stops, even if that goes right through a building or over water. Works surprisingly well though, I only realized after a while.

denzil 11y ago

Public transport is often prioritized and they got green light using some kind of detectors or remote control.