[Yudster]

Get the tram then and don't drive then you won't need to dodge anything.

No - trams go where they go when they want to go there. I want to go where I want to go when I want to go there. Public transport is of no use to me.

[kendra k]

That's a failing of the system then. Public transport isn't the answer for everybody, but quite often it can be and people refuse to get out of their cars. Especially in dense urban areas, public transport can keep the city centre clear if implemented properly.

This stupid essay won't write itself!

[S4B]

This stupid essay won't write itself!

Have you asked it nicely?

[MK Chris]

Monorails or underground railways are the answer. Expensive though.

[Yudster]

They still only go from one place to another place. What if I am not in the first, and don't want to go to the second? Which is pretty much always the case?

[MK Chris]

Well, that can be a problem.. it's OK if you live somewhere like London, where there's a bus stop or tube station within walking distance of pretty much anywhere. There's no point in owning a car in a place like that.

Upsetting me today is that I changed a nappy for the first time ever and the poor lad screamed and screamed and I felt dreadful... I think I took too long doing it, but *, did he scream.

[kendra k]

Did he wee on you? That's the worst.

I promised this essay a new car if it wrote itself. Perhaps it knows I don't have a new car?

[MK Chris]

Ha, he didn't but he did sound distraught, poor fella.

[S4B]

I promised this essay a new car if it wrote itself. Perhaps it knows I don't have a new car?

Promise it chocolate or the chance to stay up late one night, it works on my kids.

[Boboff]

Monorails or underground railways are the answer. Expensive though.

Not if the question is "what is the capital of Peru?" it isn't, the answer then of course would be Lima !

[rustybike]

Monorails

Monorail.... Monorail... MONORAIL!

[Ezza]

I love that episode!

[Vivienne]

It's really wet today, I have to go for my eye test later, and I can't be bothered.

[foot-loose]

I can see the environmental benefit, but other than that - how many more people? And how do they cause less congestion?

You really have to ask that?
1- If more people ride the trams, than that means less people driving on the roads. Voila! Less congestion.
2- Trams usually have some dedicated infrastructure which isn't entirely reliant on the roads, which means their schedules are less dependant on traffic. This means that traffic jams won't mess up the headways, as frequently happens with buses. This is why the idea of making dedicated bus lanes and signal priority- Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)- is sort of a quick and dirty way to improve transit without new infrastructure.

But the congestion in Edinburgh is caused mainly by all the busses. Surely all that is happening is moving the congestion from busses to trams? I swear, the quickest way about Edinburgh is walking along the roofs of the busses.

As for the dedicated infrastructure, surely that means that the trams are less reliable? If one breaks down, how do the others get past it?

[MK Chris]

I am sick with nerves.

[Zoot]

I am sick with nerves.

Why? What you doing today?

[MK Chris]

It's not what I'm doing today.. it's more that there's this girl I would like to ask out for a meal... and I'm not very good at that sort of thing. I always sort of mumble and stutter and basically am a bit shit. A text would be better, but that's the coward's way out.

[Zoot]

It's not what I'm doing today.. it's more that there's this girl I would like to ask out for a meal... and I'm not very good at that sort of thing. I always sort of mumble and stutter and basically am a bit shit. A text would be better, but that's the coward's way out.

Ohh, I've been there a few times...

How you gonna do it?

[MK Chris]

I dunno, a phone call probably.

I went to see Batman with her, my stepsister Gemma and Gemma's boyfriend yesterday and I picked her up (as I was 'in the area at the time' - I actually was in the area, but I basically made sure that the time I was in the area coincided with what time we were meeting up) and the other two were late, so we had a drink on our own before, which was great and we talked about loads of things and I generally felt very at ease, but I guess it's the chance that she might turn me down that's playing havoc with my stomach.

[Zoot]

Well it sounds like the first step has already been taken. Just take a deep breath before you phone. You'll be fine pal.

[MK Chris]

Thanks fella.. it's the 'I like you as a friend' speech I'm dreading hearing!

[S4B]

Oh Topher! Good luck. Why not ask her out as a mate for a few times first and then take it from there? What am I saying, why would she turn you down anyway?! You are gorgeous and a really nice guy. I find the pedantic thing endearing.

[MK Chris]

Contrary to what appears to be the opinion of a few people on this web site, I am not great at this sort of thing.

I don't do nerves very well.

[S4B]

You are gorgeous and a really nice guy.

I would like to withdraw this comment after the "rugby team" post.

Contrary to what appears to be the opinion of a few people on this web site, I am not great at this sort of thing.

I don't do nerves very well.

None of us do nerves very well and very few people are actually good at this. Hence the reason I suggested you ask her out as a mate a few times more then you'll be relaxed in her company.

[Yudster]

But the congestion in Edinburgh is caused mainly by all the busses.

Its the same here. Every traffic jam has a bus at the front of it. And regularly the main road into our town centre is gridlocked nose to tail with just busses - and thats down to how appalingly badly they are driven. I can see how theoretically trams would have an advantage there, because the driver doesn't have a choice about where he puts them - but they still take up too much space and get in everyones way - and in my experience are downright dangerous to other road users and pedestrians.