Transport in Ecoralia

Ecoralia has a large and modern transportation infrastructure. In large part due to the country's long, stable history through much of its heartland, the country has robust systems with wide geographic coverage in populated areas. However, with the country's expansive terrain, many inequalities exist in terms of service coverage, quality, and regularity, with the situation particularly acute in the country's northern and southern regions.

Air
Ecoralia has sixteen commercial airports in operation and several more private airports or airfields, especially across its sparsely populated northern and southern wards. The main airline in the country is KIL Royal Ecoralian Air Service, which carries all domestic air travel after the collapse of competitor airlines over the 2010s.

The aviation industry suffered a major economic consolidation over the course of the 2010s after a Social Democratic government implemented a range of economic policies intended to reduce the viability of the aviation industry and support more environmentally-friendly alternative transport arrangements. This saw the closure of Northern Star Airlines and Ecoralian Cityjet and left the domestic air travel market with only one competitor. Vlucht schaamte (translated as flight shame) has been an increasing social norm in Ecoralia, particularly affecting the outbound tourism sectors and business travel across northeastern Alutra, where reliable rail connections exist.

The largest airport in the country is King Gijsbert Monstad International Airport, the main airport for Monstad and also one of the busiest airports in Alutra. Other major airports in the country include Netjemond International Airport, Roodham International Airport, and Monstad Keesham International Airport. The only other remaining international airports in the country are Glannarniw–Aganbro International Airport and Stroomarkt International Airport, which provide the main aviation services for the Aganbro and Oostendal wards. All other airports in the country are closed to international travel and require a transfer through one of the country's main airports.

Sea


Sea travel has been an important part of Ecoralian society and its economy for millennia. The country's political origins date back to the Samenwaterijk period, where merchant traders banded together to build common trading rules over the North Alutran Sea, Onse Bay, and Netjezee Bay. This tradition continues today with regular shipping through Ecoralian waters, with major industrial ports in Monstad, Oosthaven, Roodham, Amskil, Tweehaven, and Netjemond. The Netjemond port is one of the world's busiest ports by container traffic.

The opening of the East Ecoraland Canal in the early 1800s marked an economic and social renaissance across Ecoralia, known as the Ecoral Enlightenment. The canal, still operational, is one of the world's busiest shipping lanes per square metre and provides a year-round shipping route between Onse Bay and the Netjezee Bay, connecting onto the Locufaric Ocean. Access through the canal has been a point of national pride and international conflict.

A number of passenger ferries also operate, particularly around the heavily-populated Onse Bay, with Monstad Ferryport as a hub for travel. Commuters from several surrounding cities use the ferryport to reach the city's urban core and central business district. However, the viability of the system has become a political issue with the service's aging fleet and reducing passenger numbers. The current Conservative Union-led government has made policy statements supporting the privatisation of the Onse Bay ferry service.

Railways
Ecoralia has a dense rail network across its central belt and sparser connections in the northern and southern parts of the country, which reduce down to mostly the Cross-Ecoralian Main Line and the Witland Main Line. The majority of rail is owned and operated by the Ecoralian Commonways Commission, constituting the Ikrogaalisch Gemenespoorweg, or Ecoralian Common Railway. This rail network is used for 95% of passenger rail trips and serves as a backbone for freight travel across the country. A number of privately- or locally-owned lines will branch from the Gemenespoorweg for smaller trips to industrial sites or underserved villages.

In addition to intercity rail transit, a number of light and commuter rail systems operate in the country. The largest and most used system is the Monstad Metro, which serves the capital city and surrounding areas. Another unique system is the Netjestrand tramway system in Netjemond, the last-remaining publicly-owned tramway system in daily operation in Ecoralia.

Roads
The country has a system of motorways that connect all parts of the country. For some of the most remote parts of the country, including the Nieuw Bos and Oostenheuvels wards, the motorway system is the only major infrastructure service available. Intercity bus services are available through much of the country through a variety of private firms. Some wards also operate essential bus services, especially in more remote parts of the country.

Cycling is a common pastime of Ecoralians. Given the country's relatively flat terrain, cycling is a relatively easy activity even between cities. A system of publicly-maintained fietswegen, cycleways, connect many cities across central Ecoralia, the most famous being the Ecoralian Coastal Cycleway, connecting Vaaltje to Heiligedam in a continuous path across the southern shore of the North Alutran Sea and Onse Bay.