New VR website - keeping the good shortcut to mobile web

VR -public railways of Finland is my all time favorite topic.. This time it was a pleasure to see a new fresh website design they have.

At first use I didn't head into any problems. I was even pleased to see that they had kept the link for the mobile-optimized webite in top left corner, where it is convenient to select in case of mobile browsing. Basically there is only two good ways to provide mobile web access:
- I appreciate most the approach that does not guide you directly to mobile website, but gives you an uncompromized experience with a freedom to choose visely if you wish.
- Second good approach is the one that Facebook is using. Guide user directly to mobile website and offer always a possibility to change into normal view, through a link at the bottom of the page.


Even the purchase of the tickets seemed to work better. Still there migt be the risk that you have start all over again if there is no places available.. ..don't want to try that again ;)

VR - green image of rail transportation vs. bikes

It is coming increasingly difficult to take your bike on a train at times of InterCity and Pendolino.
While old express trains can take bunch of bikes as freight at the rate of 9€, typical InterCity can take only 3 bikes at the same rate - accompanied by the passangers.
On Helsinki area commuter trains the bikes are a headache for both other passangers and bikers with the price of 3,60€. On my opinion taking bike with you could be free - if only VR facilitated trains with hooks, to lift the bikes up.

Actually those three bike places in IC-trains use kind of complicated hooks, but the actual system is terrible. There's no intuitivity nor proper guidance. The good thing is, that it locks your bike (needed?) and gives your money back - if only you end up sticking your finger into right hole.

VR and how to wash your face vs. floor

Posted from N73 through Flickr

On my train trips on these new 2floor cars I've tried to wash my face in cabin toilet, cabin sink and also in corridor toilet -failing every time. There's just no room for your head on top of the sink.

This time I thought I was clever. -There was cleansing wipes in the cabinet, I thought!
-No way, it would have been too easy. Just some soap to make the floor even more slippery..

Only place where you actually can wash your face is the shower. Shower as a concept is great. But there is a mapping problem. You could think that just use the big knob. -No. Every 30 seconds you have to find the small metal button just over the big one. The pic is blury, but you can immerse yourself in the moving and steamy environment ;).

VR ja uusi uljas juna-aika

Ymmärrän että VRn rahtipalvelut eivät ole olleet kovin kannattavia, mutta onko syytä poistaa loppujakin mahdollisuuksia lähtettää tavaraa..

Seinäjoelta Rovaniemelle ei nykyaikataululla saa enää lähetettyä tavaraa muilla kuin keskellä yötä lähtevillä junilla. -Laita siinä nyt sitten vanhukset raahautumaan maakunnasta keskellä yötä asemalle..

Mutta VRn ansioksi täytyy mainita, loistava lippujen varauspalvelu puhelimessa: 0600-41900. -Netissä sama palvelu on jokseenkin ärsyttävä, varsinkin kun olet naputellut konetta kolme minuuttia, olet maksamassa ja sitten kone ilmoittaakin että PC-pistokepaikkaa ei ole saatavissa. -Sitten toistat hampaat irvessa saman operaation.
Toinen ansioitunut puhelinpalvelu VRllä on automaattinen puheentunnistava aikataulutiedotus numerossa 0307-0906.

Että sellaista..