Your comments on London transport are so true – I remember many miserable commutes made worse by rude drivers. The TAG lines are a dream in comparison and it’s worth mentioning that they all “roule” on natural gas according to the big posters on the side! The trams too are so much more efficient and comfortable than the London Underground.

The only downside I’ve experienced so far is that if you live a little way out of the city, as I do, the TransIsere network is not so reliable. I cannot take public transport to work, for example, as our Mairie cut our bus service this year. They run less often and I couldn’t even think about going to town on a Saturday during the summer period! Having said that, the drivers are always friendly!

I have to agree with you that we in Grenoble are privileged as far as transport goes. I’ve never been to London, so I can’t second your experience, but in Atlanta, the bus stop is often marked by a metal pole with a sign reading ‘bus stop’ on the top. Forget about a shelter, timetables, even a sign telling you which bus you’re waiting for. All you know is that at some point in time, a bus might pass by there.

We really should appreciate the TAG (and Transisère) because they often do a fantastic job of shuffling us around the agglomeration!