... to and from work (and while on holiday) no matter what level gas reaches in this country since we have never been a communal group (a la public transporation) such as widely practiced in Europe where the train and bus is utilized virtually to the hilt. I can't picture Americans off to work in the morning sitting side by side with a postal driver as is quite common in many countries; where passage is provided at a nominal cost on a "postal bus." We're just not geared to jump on a steamer or a train in the morning, but rather jump in our SUVs and wait...

BTW, the Swiss postal buses are a must while traveling thru the Alps; especially over the passes (such as the Simplon Pass over to Italy, where you'll visit towns hardly ever seen by tourests in the region due to them taking the 12-mile long railway tunnel). You can also stop at any of the towns and pick up the bus on the return trip.

JB