Polaris Amalgamated Rail Transit Authority

Polaris Amalgamated Rail Transit Authority

Type	Government-owned corporation
Industry	Railway
Founded	1968
Headquarters	City of Polaris, United States of Antarctica Polaris SAD
Area served	Polaris SAD
Key people	Brittany Slough (President and Managing Director)
Revenue	▼ Fish; 350.0m
Operating income	▼Fish; 56.2m
Net income	▼Fish; 56.2m
Owner(s)	Polaris SAD
Employees	15,000
Website	www.parta.net

Polaris Amalgamated Rail Transit Authority (PARTA), formerly known as the Northeastern Eastshield Amalgamated Rail Transit Authority (NEARTA) and Northeastern Eastshield InterCity Authority (NEAIC), is a government-owned railway holdings company in the Federal Republic of Polaris, which controls the railway tracks and railway lines in the Federal Republic of Polaris. It was first formalised in 1972 and opened in 1978, first operating the Northeastern Eastshield InterCity (later renamed the Polaris InterCity) from Gemini to Snowville, as an intercity service. It now operates the Polaris Shuttle (formerly the Northeastern Eastshield Shuttle), Polaris Cargo Rail (formerly Northeastern Eastshield Cargo Rail). Plans are in place for an extension of the Polaris InterCity to Enderby City and Ciudad Vieja, along with a step forward with the intercity trains being upgraded to sleek, efficient high-speed railway trains, just like the Puerto Elanor and Juno Island lines. The most busy train station is West Polaris Terminal, as Minerva and Juno Islands line starts from, along with the future Juno Islands line, however the largest train station is actually Grand Polaris Terminal. The Polaris InterCity and Polaris Shuttle trains currently uses railway tracks, however the Polaris Island Express uses MagLev technology, as it was constructed more recently. Polaris Cargo Rail uses both types.

Background

In 1968, Polaris made a proposal to Gemini, Penguville and Snowville for a four stop intercity line in order to facilitate better transport links between the four cities, which was limited to an inefficient maze of roads and a slow ferry service. They all unanimously agreed on it; a railway line, despite opposition from several municipal rural communities (a series of bribes and lawsuits dealt with them), began construction in 1972 over a period of six years. It was completed in 1978 and the first railway line that would run on it, the Northwestern InterCity Holdings, with each city owning a 25% stake each. It was a success, despite being considered to be a white elephant by some individuals. Journey times were drastically reduced and creatures from the four cities could take job opportunities from other cities and still commute there, as all four cities had efficient public transport.

However it's period of success wouldn't last forever; the first Motorways in Northwest Eastshield also began construction in 1976 and finished in 1982, four years after the intercity railway line opened, allowing road users a way to travel between the cities without using public transport. Also rising was the growth of both regional airlines and helicopter commuter services, which became common after the Millenium, however had begun growing in the eighties. Penguville, Snowville and Gemini all backed out if their shares in the railway, selling their shares to the Polaris municipality, meaning it was 100% controlled by the Polarians. The Polarians began heavily investing into improving the railway despite the new road and air links; it planned for expansion into Sneilville, although the RocketSnails opposed this.

The Northwestern InterCity Holdings opted to begin a freight service to deal with falling profits and bought an entire fleet of freighters to run mail routes and deliver cargo across the four cities, as a cheap and quick alternative to air or sea cargo. Operating under the division name of Northeastern Eastshield Cargo Rail, the freight service was effective. Freight railway was actually more common than passenger trains in the Northwest new; new railway stations were opened devoted to industrial towns in the countryside. A new fleet was bought in 1992 devoted to regional and commuter rail, in order for the Northwestern InterCity to focus purely on intercity links. Polaris Commuter Rail and Northwestern Regional Trains was the result. This was a success; with limited options for air or sea travel in industrial towns, many found it easier to commute when required. In addition, the freight service was effective as well.

In 1996, the Polaris City Council passed a law allowing an extension to the Puerto Elanor and the Juno Islands. Two tunnels, Rail Tunnel Juno and Rail Tunnel Minerva was buil, using MagLev technology and was operated by the newly formed Polaris Island Express, more commonly known as PIE. It revived a deprived suburb of Polaris, with an old train station becoming Polaris Junction. The station was to be used for interchanges from the Gemini-Snowville InterCity line, more commonly known as the InterCity, the Polaris regional/commuter railway line, known as the Mainline and the two new MagLev railways, the Juno Express and the Puerto Elanor Express. However all trains were all branded the Northwestern Eastshield InterCity nevertheless, although the railway was more oriented around Polaris. Only when Northwest Eastshield became the Polaris SAD was it rebranded as the Polaris InterCity. Polaris made furthers plans to it; they wished to expand the Puerto Elanor line to the rest of the Minevra Islands and for the InterCity to expand to Enderby City and Ciudad Vierja, along with regional and commuter improvements.

Stations

Polaris InterCity

Currently, this service; from Rhodesia International, Gemini, to Snowville Continental, Snowville, via Western Polaris Terminal and vice versa. An extension to Ciudad Vieja seems very likely, along with three additional currently-existing stations to be added onto the route to make interchange onto regional railway easier. The Polaris InterCity uses high-speed rail on this service.

• Enderby International (Enderby City)
• Rhodesia International (Gemini)
• Grand Polaris Terminal (Polaris)
• Western Polaris Terminal (Polaris)
• Penguville Central Station (Penguville)
• Snowville Continental (Snowville)
• Ciudad Vieja (Ciudad Vieja, Planned)

PARTA is planning to make a bid for for the Trainlady Mini, which would add further stops if approved. It would be added to the Polaris InterCity line if approved. This would allow an orbital route to be created, as the track would go around the Happyface State and the Polaris SAD. In addition, an extention to South Pole City has been proposed from when the Ciudad Vieja station is constructed. The route would go as follows:

• Ciudad Vieja (Ciudad Vieja)
• Inland Station (Inland)
• Glassyglow International (Glassyglow)
• Grand Pole Station (South Pole City)

Polaris Shuttle

Polaris Shuttle is currently the largest passenger train service in the Polaris SAD. It operates a regional service between individual cities, stopping between smaller towns and cities, however is also used by commuters due to it's fast journey times. The rolling stock is comprised of a of high-speed, state-of-the-art trains, which travel at an average speed of 232 km/h, r. However, there are plans to upgrade all trains in the other cities to PARTA-standard high-speed rail. The Polaris Shuttle doesn't operate to the Juno Islands or Puerto Elanor, but the Polaris Island Express does so.

Polaris Cargo Rail

Polaris Cargo Rail is among the largest of freight train operators, with services on the mainland of the Polaris SAD and around the Juno Islands and Puerto Elanor. They are the only service to use both MagLev and standard rails. It operates numerous routes between stations and, with the exception of the Polaris Shuttle, has the largest fleets. It operates a variety of routes between cities; it runs both of the full Polaris Island Express routes and shares the regional rail and InterCity routes, often stopping at industrial towns and smaller cities to unload freight. It is also a major contributor to the post, delivering the mail from city to town and to city. Like the Polaris Shuttle, it's stations would be too numerous to list.

Polaris Island Express

Polaris Island Express, or PIE as it's more commonly known as, operates two routes; the Juno Islands route and the Puerto Elanor route. Both use MagLev rail, which is why they start from Polaris Western Terminal rather than Grand Polaris Terminal, as only PWT can support MagLev rail, in addition to the standard railway used on the mainland network.

Puerto Elanor route

The Puerto Elanor route only has five stops; Polaris Western Terminal, Frankterran Quarter Concourse, Airport MagLev Concourse, Puerto Elanor Continental (Puerto Elanor Harbour) and ends at Giorgo Benito Alvarez International Airport. It is likely to be extended for the service to include the rest of the Minevra Islands, including Castillan and Frankterran controlled areas. It is referred to as by English-speaking Polarians as the 'short route'. It is

• Polaris Western Terminal (Polaris)
• Frankterran Quarter Concourse (Polaris)
• Airport MagLev Concourse (Polaris)
• Puerto Elanor Continental (Puerto Elanor)
• Giorgo Benito Alvarez International Airport (Puerto Elanor)

Juno Islands route

The Juno Islands route stops at a total of 10 stops. It is referred to as by English-speaking Polarians as the 'long route'. It is likely to be extended to include the rest of the Minevra Islands. All stations are underground, with the exception of the first two, along with much of the track, in order for the natural beauty of the islands to remain unspoiled.

• Polaris Western Terminal (Polaris)
• Frankterran Quarter Concourse (Polaris)
• Airport MagLev Concourse (Polaris)
• Alpha Island MagLev (Juno Islands)
• Antwan City Station (Juno Islands)
• Oak Ridges (Juno Islands)
• Pilston (Juno Islands)
• Alvarez (Juno Islands)
• Puerto Plata (Juno Islands)
• Playa Oro (Juno Islands)
• Solace (Juno Islands)

Alternative routes

Limited-service routes will occasionally run. One has the service stop at an old station, Two2 Concourse Station, a station on Polaris Island, however when the Frankterran Quarter was created, Two2 Concourse Station was removed as it was rarely ever busy. Occasionally, services may stop there during off peak times, in between Frankterran Quarter Concourse and Airport MagLev Concourse, or during engineering works. A tunnel between Solace and Puerto Elanor is occasionally used for two routes; 'All-Island Route 1' and'All-Island Route 2', the difference being that All-Island Route 1 runs through the full Juno Islands route, before going onto Puero Elanor Continental and Giorgo Benito Alvarez International Airport, while All-Island Route 2 goes on the Puerto Elanor route, although skips Giorgo Benito Alvarez International Airport and ends at Solace. The latter is rarely used; it is most commonly used during engineering works, however All-Island Route 1 is common during Summer periods.

Rolling stock

Polaris InterCity

• PARTA Class 500hsp (high-speed EMU, 20)

Polaris Shuttle

• PARTA Class 500hsp (high-speed EMU, 180)

Polaris Cargo Rail

• PARTA Class 100c (DMU locomotive, 180)
• PARTA Class 300cmag (high-speed MagLev locomotive, 40)

Polaris Island Express

• PARTA Class 600mag (high-speed MagLev train, 40)

Service

Polaris InterCity

The Polaris InterCity uses three classes: InterCity Class, Continental Class and InterCity Class.

InterCity Class: Continental Class is regarded as the equivalent to Economy Class; 4 seater tables are used, with each seat seat using artificial leather and the table is made out of plastic. Wi-Fi is available with a tariff of 0.95 Polarian Dollars for every station passed. Beverages are available in the cafe coach and are slightly more expensive than the food in Continental Class. Toys are available for children, although they must bought at the beverages coach. A safety manual is automatically available; other reading material, including the Penguin Times and the InterCity Times, has to bought from the beverages coach. The option of breakfast, lunch, tea or dinner is available at a non-discount price, with the option of buying premium-quality food for extra. A pillow and a blanket can be bought for 8.50 Polarian Dollars.

Continental Class: Continental Class is an upgrade for InterCity Class users, which uses the same seats as InterCity Class, however this class comes with several additional perks; it allows free WiFi and beverages to be sold at the same price of International Class. A free toy is offered to every child. A privately made magazine, the InterCity Times, is available for free, for every person, in addition to the standard safety manual. Additional reading material is available at the beverages coach. An option of on board breakfast, lunch, tea or dinner (depending on the time), is available from the beverages coach at a discount price, with the option of buying premium-quality food for extra. A pillow and a blanket is provided for free.

International Class: International Class is regarded as the equivalent to Executive Class. Seats are slightly larger, made of fine leather and the table is also larger, made of fine wood, however 4 seater tables remain in usage. WiFi can be used for free and beverages can be ordered at a lower price than Continental Class via the train's intranet. A halfbottle of Cream Soda is offered free at each table, with a wine glass for every seat. An option of on board breakfast, lunch, tea or dinner (depending on the time) is available for free, using premium-quality food. A free toy is offered to every child. The Penguin Times is offered free for every person, in addition to the InterCity Times, published by PARTA. A pillow and a blanket is provided for free.

Each train consists of 2 power cars, 2 International Class carriage, 2 beverages carriage and 18 InterCity/Continental Class carriages. Both classes have 4 seater tables, although International Class seats are larger, along with the tables. Automatic sliding doors between each carriage help reduce noise issues. Staff typically consists of an engineer, one conductors, three assistant conductors, four first-class attendants (two in each first-class carriage) and one cart attendent. WiFi is provided by telecommunications company Connecti. Reservations aren't required, however they guarantee a seat, as if a train is overloaded, then some may have to stand. Luggage can be stored in overhead compartments or in seats underneath. On board announcements are done in English, Spanish and French.

Polaris Shuttle

The Polaris Island Express uses two classes; Economy Class and Islander Class.

Shuttle Class: Rows in the airline format of 4-4 are used, with each seat seat using artificial leather and fold out tables. Wi-Fi is available with a tariff of 5 Polarian Dollars for every station passed. Beverages are available in the beverages coach and are slightly more expensive than the food in ShuttlePlus Class. A safety manual is automatically available; other reading material, including the Penguin Times and Shuttle Run, has to bought from the beverages coach.

ShuttlePlus Class: Islander Class is an upgrade for Economy Class users, which uses the same seats as Economy Class, however this class comes with several additional perks; it allows free WiFi and beverages to be sold at the same price of First Class. A privately made magazine, Shuttle Run, is available for free, for every person, in addition to the standard safety manual. Additional reading material is available at the beverages coach. Beverages are bought at the beverage carriage.

First Class: First Class is regarded as the equivalent to Executive Class. Seats are slightly larger, made of artificial leather and set out in a 2 - 2 layout. WiFi can be used for free and beverages can be ordered at a lower price than Islander Class via the train's intranet. A privately made magazine, the Shuttle Run, is available for free, for every person, in addition to the standard safety manual. Additional reading material is available at the beverages coach.

Each train consists of 2 power cars, 2 First Class carriages, 2 beverages carriage and 18 Economy/Islander Class carriages. Automatic sliding doors between each carriage help reduce noise issues. Staff typically consists of an engineer, one conductors, three assistant conductors, two beverages attendants and one cart attendant. WiFi is provided by telecommunications company Connecti. Reservations aren't required, however they guarantee a seat, as if a train is overloaded, then some may have to stand. It is common that the train is often full, since they are often loaded with commuters who work in Polaris, however First Class, although expensive, usually has seats available. Essentially, it is stripped down version of the Polaris InterCity. Luggage can be stored in overhead compartments or in seats underneath. On board announcements are done in English, Spanish and French.

Polaris Cargo Rail

Polaris Cargo Rail divides it's cargo into four different classes; mail, light, medium and heavy, which all affect the costs. In addition, it has a Third, Second and First Class system which determines the speed at which that certain piece of cargo will be delivered; Business Class is within 1 - 2 days, Standard Class in 3 - 4 days and Economy Class is in 5 - 6 days. PCR only does deliveries in the Polaris SAD area, however Polaris Mail usually makes alternative arrangements. The class system in regards to the mail is usually closely connected with Polaris Mail, who also use the Business, Standard and Economy Class system.

Polaris Island Express

The Polaris Island Express uses two classes; Economy Class and Islander Class.

Economy Class: Economy Class is regarded as the equivalent to Economy Class; rows in the airline format of 2-4-2 are used, with each seat seat using artificial leather and fold out tables. Wi-Fi is available with a tariff of 5 Polarian Dollars for every station passed. Beverages are available in the beverages coach and are slightly more expensive than the food in Islander Class. A safety manual is automatically available; other reading material, including the Penguin Times and the InterCity Times, has to bought from the beverages coach.

Islander Class: Islander Class is an upgrade for Economy Class users, which uses the same seats as Economy Class, however this class comes with several additional perks; it allows free WiFi and beverages to be sold at the same price of First Class. A privately made magazine, the Islands of Polaris, is available for free, for every person, in addition to the standard safety manual. Additional reading material is available at the beverages coach. Beverages are bought at the beverage carriage.

First Class: First Class is regarded as the equivalent to Executive Class. Seats are slightly larger, made of artificial leather and set out in 2 - 3 -2 layout. WiFi can be used for free and beverages can be ordered at a lower price than Islander Class via the train's intranet. A privately made magazine, the Islands of Polaris, is available for free, for every person, in addition to the standard safety manual. Additional reading material is available at the beverages coach.

Each train consists of 2 power cars, 2 First Class carriages, 2 beverages carriage and 18 Economy/Islander Class carriages. Automatic sliding doors between each carriage help reduce noise issues. Staff typically consists of an engineer, one conductors, three assistant conductors, two beverages attendants and one cart attendant. WiFi is provided by telecommunications company Connecti. Reservations aren't required, however they guarantee a seat, as if a train is overloaded, then some may have to stand. It is common that the train is often full, since they are often loaded with commuters who work in Polaris, however First Class, although expensive, usually gives one a seat. Essentially, it is stripped down version of the Polaris InterCity. Luggage can be stored in overhead compartments or in seats underneath. On board announcements are done in English, Spanish and French.

Trivia

• They are planning a bid attempt upon the Trainlady Mini, with plans for an orbital route going through the Happyface State, with stations in Ciudad Vieja and Enderby City, and into the curent Polaris InterCity line.
• Rumours has it of a supposed 'RailJet' subsidiary of SkyJet which would gain a controlling stake in the company. Sancho Monte Captio has not commented.
• PARTA, despite being tax exempt, is not very profitable and is set to loose money as it further modernises, with it trying to make every single train high-speed.
• Criticism has been pointed at the WiFi system, which charges a regressive tariff of $0.95 Polarian Dollars per station, rather than set rates for amounts of time. Customers, and the provider Connecti, have complained that the only alternative is to upgrade to the expensive Continental, Islander or ShuttlePlus classes, or the International or First classes and the tariff system, even for one station, is expensive. PARTA hasn't made a response to the comments. As a result, many choose to use dongles as an alternative.