The UK has an efficient public transport system though it can be confusing to the uninitiated. It's also very expensive. One reason for this is that it's subsidised for certain sectors. For example, old age pensioners get free bus passes.
Another factor influencing the state of public transport is that a high proportion of the British public are car owners. This means that local bus networks are not as extensive or frequent as they might be. Services are regular however, and timetables conveniently posted at the bus stops and at bus stations. Also fast, comfortable coach services link all the major towns and cities in the UK. You should bear in mind that in UK parlance, a bus means a vehicle for local transport, while a coach is for long distance journeys.
The UK is the home of the steam engine and was the pioneer in the development of railways. The second half of the 20th century saw Britain's railways undergoing massive transformations under successive governments. Nowadays, British railways have their critics especially regarding reliability and how expensive they are. Nevertheless the system works well enough.
While the trains certainly aren't cheap, a number of options exist to take the sting out of the high prices. These take the form of concessions for the needy and special tickets offering discounted travel at certain off-peak times. Another great way to beat the high cost of train journeys is with special passes that offer unlimited travel on particular routes for example.
Another factor influencing the state of public transport is that a high proportion of the British public are car owners. This means that local bus networks are not as extensive or frequent as they might be. Services are regular however, and timetables conveniently posted at the bus stops and at bus stations. Also fast, comfortable coach services link all the major towns and cities in the UK. You should bear in mind that in UK parlance, a bus means a vehicle for local transport, while a coach is for long distance journeys.
The UK is the home of the steam engine and was the pioneer in the development of railways. The second half of the 20th century saw Britain's railways undergoing massive transformations under successive governments. Nowadays, British railways have their critics especially regarding reliability and how expensive they are. Nevertheless the system works well enough.
While the trains certainly aren't cheap, a number of options exist to take the sting out of the high prices. These take the form of concessions for the needy and special tickets offering discounted travel at certain off-peak times. Another great way to beat the high cost of train journeys is with special passes that offer unlimited travel on particular routes for example.