Transport in Gylias

Transport in Gylias is highly developed and modern. It is influenced by the country's low population density, large area, and long coastlines.

Gylias has a dense network of roads and railways, comprehensive cycling infrastructure, and a long tradition of water transport. Transportation is dominated by public transport.

Notable characteristics of Gylian transport include public policies that advantage public transport and discourage private automobile use, use of the universal electronic ticketing system Tascard, and innovative approaches to financing and infrastructure.

Road

Gylias has approximately 1,5 million km of roads. The road network has three tiers: municipal roads, regional roads and motorways, and federal motorways.

Motorways do not have speed limits. Advisory speed limits are recommended depending on weather conditions and geography. Urban roads have speed limits of 30 km/h and 50 km/h.

Roads in cities have had many of their traffic signs and lights removed over the years, as part of a policy to increase driver caution and lower accident rates.

Public transport on roads includes city buses, intercity bus services, and trolleybuses.

Rail

There is a total of approximately 35.000 km of railway in Gylias. The railway network is dense and famed for its punctuality and reliability.

A significant component of the network is high-speed rail, with approximately 200 trains connecting major cities.

All large cities and the majority of medium-sized cities have metro systems, either underground or overground. Other means of public rail transport include trams, light rail, and monorails.

Several cities in hilly or mountainous areas have funiculars.

Air

There are 56 airports in Gylias. The largest airports are Mişeyáke Airport and Velouria Airport, which are the main hubs for international passenger transport.

Water

There are 20 major ports, the result of the country's low population density and long coastlines. The largest port is Velouria.

Ferries connect the Iárus, Kuas, and Daláyk islands to the mainland.

The majority of Gylian rivers are navigable. Several are linked through canals, such as the Xakalen Canal, connecting the Karys and Tarna rivers.

Cycling

Cycling is a ubiquitous mode of transport and a popular recreational activity. Gylias has one of the highest rates of bicycle ownership (more than one per capita) and bicycle modal share (27%) in Tyran.

Cycling infrastructure is comprehensive. It includes 40.000 km of segregated cycle facilities, bicycle routes, large bicycle parking facilities, and cycle-specific traffic lights.

There are bicycle highways linking Gylias' major cities and natural protected areas.

Public policy

Transport is dominated by public organisations. Gylian National Rail and Transportation Services (GNRTS) operates railways and intercity buses. Gyliair is the largest airline.

Roads, airports, canals, and rapid transit are operated by municipalities, regions, and the federal government in collaboration. Municipalities handle the bulk of local transportation.

Public transport has a reputation for high-quality service and a stately character, which helps it maintain a high modal share. Infrastructure has long been a priority in politics, and a key component of economic stimulus programs.

Public policy is strongly communal and oriented towards shared transport. Gylias has a well-developed network of carsharing and carpooling cooperatives, many of which now use the internet to provide peer-to-peer services. The first bicycle-sharing system, known as the White Bicycle Plan, was instituted in 1965. All Gylian cities and numerous villages now have bicycle-sharing systems, and have served as a model for other Tyranian bicycle-sharing systems.

Finance

Infrastructure is funded from general taxation. Various taxes are used to discourage car ownership, including fuel tax, vehicle registration tax, vignettes, and congestion pricing in cities.

Toll roads are comparatively rare due to the use of general taxation and additional taxes specific to motor vehicles.

The Tascard is used as a universal electronic ticketing contactless smart card throughout public transportation.

Many cities have implemented free public transport using a variety of means from raised taxation to using federal subsidies or the Social Partnership Program.

Environment

Gylias has one of the highest rates of plug-in electric vehicles use and ownership in Tyran. Nearly all motor vehicles in Gylias are electric, hybrids, or run on biofuels.

The small Gylian automotive industry is primarily geared towards electric vehicle conversion.

Gyliair is working to convert its fleet to aviation biofuel.