Travel

BBC WM's Phil Upton at Breakfast show set four reporters a 'Transport Challenge' on Thursday 18th October 2007.

The challenge: All four leave Wolverhampton city centre from the same place and at the same. Who will reach Phil Upton, in Birmingham, first?

For this unscientific 'experiment' BBC WM reporter Cayte Walker travelled by car, Katie Rowlett travelled by bus, Ciarán Ryan cycled to Birmingham and Chris Blakemore caught the Midland Metro tram.

All four set off from St Peter's Square in Wolverhampton at 7:45am.

"My journey was really enjoyable." said Chris Blakemore. "I'd never taken the Metro before and had always wondered what it was like. I arrived at Wolverhampton St George's just as a tram was leaving so I missed that but another one came along in
seven minutes. As I started at the beginning of the route to Birmingham there was no problem getting a seat and I read my newspaper."

Ciarán Ryan travelled by bicycle along the Main Line Canal [towpath]. "I cycled through Coseley Tunnel, past Tipton Green and Toll End Canals and underneath Galton Bridge in Smethwick. This morning there was mist over the canal. I saw a heron, moorhens, swans, one fox..."

Cayte Walker travelled by car: "I came down the Wolverhampton New Road and the Hagley Road. I took it as someone who didn't know the area that well, who would have to use the main routes. For me it was same old same. What I faced this morning was queue after queue after queue."

Katie Rowlett commuted by the no 79 bus. "My journey was comfy, and I met some really pleasant people on the route - but approaching Birmingham down the Soho Road it was stop - start all the way. Very frustrating!"

The quickest commute?

Chris Blakemore was the first to arrive. It took him 55 minutes to travel from Wolverhampton city centre to the BBC WM studios at The Mailbox in Birmingham.

"I was surprised to learn that this mode of transport was the quickest." said Chris. "I had expected Cayte in the car to get to Birmingham first, but I guess I hadn't catered for the traffic on the Hagley Road! Although I've heard stories about overcrowded carriages I have to say that although some people did have to stand up it didn't seem to be too much of an inconvenience."

Cayte Walker, in the car, was third. Her journey took one hour and 30 minutes. "For a lot of people there isn't an alternative to the car so you have to sit and look at the red lights." said Cayte. "I think the fascinating thing was that we've highlighted the fact there is an alternative - which is Ciarán on the bike. I'd never even thought about that."

Katie Rowlett was the last to arrive: "My journey took over an hour and 40 minutes - and I'll never be able to get that time back now. I learnt I'd never get the number 79 again - unless I fancy a tour of the Black Country. At one point I thought I might come second..."

Have your say

The 'Transport Challenge', said Phil Upton in summary, suggests that trams / light railways could be the future for transport in the West Midlands. What do you think? More roads? More trams? Less cars? More cycle paths?

What would make travelling around Birmingham and the Black Country easier?

"Overcrowded misery"

Matt had his say on BBC WM's Ed Doolan show. He commutes on the Midland Metro. His review of the service was less glowing than Chris Blakemore's.

Matt: "I get the Metro every morning from Wolverhampton, anytime between 7:50 am and 8:20am. I tell you, it's an overcrowded misery. This morning they had trouble shutting the doors.

"Once the trams get overloaded they drop down and the doors start dragging on the platforms and the passengers have to help pull the [doors closed]. It doesn't happen on every journey, but it does happen on a lot of them. It's quite an unpleasant experience. I've been resorting to the train from time to time lately.

"I get off at the Jewellery Quarter and it's a battle to get off - to get your way through the crowd. Some days there is absolutely no room and people are pushing themselves on like they do in Japan"

Have your say in the comment box below.