Student: Yes, I was wondering what the best way was for me to get aroundlondon.
Man: Well, there are a lot ofpossibilities. As you probably realise, the main ways to get around are bus. train andtube the underground. It depends how much you want to spend. All forms oftransportoffer special tickets, such as cheap day returns on the trains and so on. Overall, youll spend less on the bus as itoperateson a basic flat fare for each journey. But, of course, it may not go to where you need to travel to. Themainlinetrains only operate in theoutlyingareas, though a few cross London, whereas the tube hasstationswhich are placed in central areas of the city close to the main sights and shops. Obviously there are more bus stops but you willprobablyhave to change buses to get where you want, which can beinconvenient. You will find that the buses are mainly in the central areas but some tube lines go quite a long way out of London so you could use this for longerjourneys hmm. Having said that, the tubes do get verycrowdedso you should use the train if you want to sit down. It docs depend where youre travelling to.
Student: Well. Im living on theoutskirtsbut I have to travel into London tocollegeeveryday and then around London when Im here.
Man: OK, so time is going to be anissuefor you. The tube should be fast crossing London, but quitehonestly, there arc so many delays that its not veryefficient. Again, the train has fewer stops so is probably vourquickestoption to get to and from college. Of course, which service you use might depend on howfrequentit is. I mean, the trains might only be every20 minutesor whatever, but a timetable ispublishedto save you hanging around. There are a lot of tube trains at busy times of day. but fewer at other times whereas the buses run every live minutes through most of the day and there are nightbuses. But youll need tocheck outyour route first.
Student: OK, thanks. How can I get from here to Hackney, then?
Man: Right, well you can choose. Were here at the information office, OK? Now, next to us, on the turner of the high street and Sweet Street is the bus stop,oppositethe bank. The bus goes all the way to Hackney but it is a veryindirect routeso it could take ages. If you want to take the train, walk down the high streettowardsthe city, go past the bank and on your left is the station, just before you get to the post office. Theres a mainline service to Hackney Wick so, if you need to get into the centre ofhackney, you may need to pick up a bus when you get there. Opposite the post office, on the corner of Heart Lane is the tubeentrance youll see the big signs. Thats probably the best way to get there, though you may have to change. Its probably best if you go and get atravel cardfirst. To get to the ticket office, you go out of here onto the high street. Then turn into South Street and the ticket office is on your right opposite thecinema. Of course, you may decide its quicker to take a taxi. But. its a long way so 1 think itll be very expensive. If you do want to get a cab. then the rank isoutsidehere just opposite the office.