Public Services

Today is Tuesday, an exciting day for us because in general the buses don’t run on Sundays or bank holidays (Monday was one). We’ve had to take taxis the last couple of days in order to get to our trailheads. The cost of yesterday’s 20 minute taxi ride was comparable with the fuel cost for Eileen’s and my week-long van rental, but was the only way to get anywhere. It’s no wonder that all the locals drive cars.

In general, I've been impressed with Welsh buses. All the buses have free wifi and accept credit card tap-to-pay for fare — no special card needed. But there are major gaps in rural areas, even high-tourist areas like Pembrokeshire. The buses are all privately operated; as profit-seeking enterprises, they have no obligation to assure equitable or affordable access.

As someone highly involved in local politics at home, it's very interesting to see what the UK prioritizes with public funding, and what gets left out.

Obviously, as an American (and as a universal healthcare advocate with Whole Washington) I notice the difference in healthcare services.

Watching the woman get rescued from her waterfall accident, we saw two ambulances, ten or more aid workers including a helicopter dropoff, and a helicopter lift out to the Bangor hospital and an ambulance ride for her husband and many children to meet her.

"God," I asked a fellow bystander, "what is this all going to cost them?"