Gold Coast Rapid Transit.

[orudge]

I had fun in Edinburgh in 2004, my first independent trip to Edinburgh (or indeed anywhere, really). Was going to visit the university, but unintentionally got on the bus going the wrong way, and ended up in Portobello... I figured the bus would turn round and go the other way, which it did eventually, but I was a wee bit late to my appointment. (Luckily not a big issue though, they still saw me when I arrived, and in the end I chose to go to St Andrews anyway!)

[Ameecher]

I had a bit of a shock when I went back to London to see a mate at Uni (he goes to Greenwich which is about 5 minutes away from where I used to live and I as result knew most things better than him. Except pubs. It was 14 when I left...) to find that a) some of the bus routes had changed, still caught me out only briefly then once I was on the right bus (321 not the 21 ) I was keeping an eye out for the road, spotted due to my local knowledge then the bus shouted it out to me. Could have gone to sleep!

[JamieLei]

You were singing in the Royal Albert Hall? I knew you had musical talents, but you were on at the Proms or something?

Well I don't have that viola in my display pic for nothing!

Speaking of which, look what TfL have just come up with, literally today!

Search for 10, 73, or even H25 if you really want to get out into the suburbs!

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaround ... fault.aspx

Edit: The 73 map can't be right! It says it doesn't go to Seven Sisters Station!

[doktorhonig]

Barcelona, London and Prague have automated announcements on buses - I'm surprised it isn't more widespread.

We have those too. And our trams (and buses of course) don't stop at a station, if noone is there and no stop-button has been pressed.

But trams rock! On short rides you're as fast as if you're taking a subway, because you see approaching trains and know where to run. At least we have some displays showing the arrival time of the next subway train outside the station, which is very useful (actually more useful than on the platform). We definitely need more of those.

[JamieLei]

In Singapore they have those outside each MRT Station - definitely useful if running late!

[openttd_rulez]

this tram system is not constructed yet for even 1 inch! Continue with da post and forget what i said

[noofnoof]

not that much is actually going on at the moment, but I eagerly look forward to it.

[Doorslammer]

Amazingly loopy system in Brisbane. A DMU that would typically only be DOO in Perth has a whistle blowing guard present in Brisbane. Must be a good union round these parts...

[noofnoof]

what are you smoking? where can I get some?
we don't have any DMUs.

[Doorslammer]

what are you smoking? where can I get some?
we don't have any DMUs.

Noting the D and E are next to each other

[teccuk]

I agree with Owen actually, there's no doubt in my mind that Edinburgh has the best bus network outside London. Well planned, and well advertised, with simple fares (£1, or a well advertised day ticket) and clear route maps on the bus stops. Most UK provincial companies don't bother with that. As for the Birmingham trams, I've never been on them but my perception was they don't go anywhere useful much, in Birmingham at least.

Kev i'm shocked! I thought you were a big supporter inn free market transport provision! The majority shareholder in Edinburgh buses of course is the council... hence they're good. Like Nottingham. Unlike anywhere First has managed to slither into and slime all over.

Jamei. Network WM have done a really fantastic job with regard to branding and travel info... where I live meanwhile probably the only place to get bus and other info in the one pace is erm this... www.travelbristol.org.

Finding any sort of travel info in Bristol is like pulling teeth, let alone a tram! Not even on the agenda.

[Kevo00]

I agree with Owen actually, there's no doubt in my mind that Edinburgh has the best bus network outside London. Well planned, and well advertised, with simple fares (£1, or a well advertised day ticket) and clear route maps on the bus stops. Most UK provincial companies don't bother with that.

Kev i'm shocked! I thought you were a big supporter inn free market transport provision! The majority shareholder in Edinburgh buses of course is the council... hence they're good. Like Nottingham. Unlike anywhere First has managed to slither into and slime all over.

I am still a supporter of the free market - in the Edinburgh case, Lothian overhauled First by doing this...just because I believe in the free market, doesn't mean I don't think transport should be well marketed. Most public transport fails because its only marketed towards the people that already use it (and get paid for by the government to use it), generally the elderly, young mothers, and the socially excluded. The bus service here in Milton Keynes where I presently live is a good example - here Mrs Thatcher's famous saying that a man over 26 on a bus is a failure seems to ring true! Not really surprising when the minimum fare is about £1.20, climbing quite steeply, and there is only a half hour frequency on most routes, on which buses tend to run early so you miss them.

[teccuk]

Milton Keynes where I presently live is a good example - here Mrs Thatcher's famous saying that a man over 26 on a bus is a failure seems to ring true! Not really surprising when the minimum fare is about £1.20, climbing quite steeply, and there is only a half hour frequency on most routes, on which buses tend to run early so you miss them.

Yeouch. MK just wasn't built for buses. Monorail could work though