Just a quick idea

[Spatula]

What if Mass Transit Systems, as well as reducing pollution, where used for transport? What I mean is, you would be able to instantly send a unit in a city with an MTS to another city that also had MTS. This wouldn't negate railroads, which come a whole age earlier anyway, because the free move only applies to a city - not overly useful for sending troops to your border, something that can be done earlier (and easier) with a good rail system.

But if the free move is a problem, then it could simply be that it takes up 1 turn to move the unit, which, now I think about it, would probably be more realistic.

 

[AA-battery]

I think that is a really good idea Spatula. It would definetly be useful for players who can't make railroads. Like if you have no iron or coal and you can't trade for them.

 

[sealman]

A city's mass transit system, is just that, a mass transit system for the city. City buses, subway systems, ect. It is not meant as a means to connect one city with another.

There is a two fold purpose with mass transit systems. One is to get people out of their personal cars to help relieve traffic problems. Two, the less private vehicles on the roads, the less pollution give off by auto emmissions. As far as I see it, this city improvement works fine.

In regards to your idea of moving one unit from one city to another instantly without use of railroads, try building airports in the two of them. And welcome to CFC.

 

[AA-battery]

Yeah but in case you don't have oil as well to build airports it would still come in handy.

 

[Spatula]

A city's mass transit system, is just that, a mass transit system for the city. City buses, subway systems, ect. It is not meant as a means to connect one city with another.

Oops! I didn't think of that.....

Mind you I still think there is a case for non-railroad quick transportation, because of the resource thing. I've regulalry had to go to wars or gift techs to civs which have resources I need in their lands (not good for UN victory), which are often right in the heart of their territory, or worse, on another continent.

 

[AA-battery]

Actually sealman, there subways and sky trains that connect many major cities in Germany and other parts of Europe. They aren't quite classified as railroads because they don't quite transfer commercial goods. That would probably be the bad thing about this new adaption for MTS. It can't be used as a trade connection.

 

[rhialto]

Yeah but in case you don't have oil as well to build airports it would still come in handy.

Hmm, if you lack both the coal to build rails and the oil to build airports, do you really have the means to fuel any strategic movement?

 

[sir_schwick]

althought i don't agree with transport part, i do think MT should be a prequesite for cities to grow beyond size 18. Mass transit was necessary for the big cities to become bigger.

 

[AA-battery]

Yep, thats the weak point in my statements I guess, rhialto.