Editor's note: The following is a column from a student journalist part of an immersive learning project called BSU at the Games. For more stories about the Summer Olympics, click here.
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Where mass transit is concerned, Midwest natives often feel "out of the loop" and overwhelmed - I know that I did two weekends ago when I was thrown into the complete chaos that is London. I have been living in Worcester, England, for five weeks and have realized that mass transit is something Europeans have to deal with every day. We Midwesterners just don't understand.
With the 2012 London Olympic Games quickly approaching, taxis, buses and the tube system are going to be crazier than ever with the huge influx of visitors. Here are a few tips from my experience to guide the novice traveler through London, or any large city with mass transit for that matter.
By taxi
Never assume that all taxis are the same, at least when traveling in a different country. In London, though the majority of taxis are the same make and model, the colors and designs differ and contrast with the signature American yellow cab. Black taxis are private and require a call before use. All other taxis, which have large advertisements on them, can be hailed with just the wave of an arm.
By bus
Above ground and on wheels, this form of transit might be most appealing to a newcomer because of its similarities to the American bus system. In London, the bus system can be identified by the color red and the fact that most of them are two stories. During rush hour, which some could say is all the time and will continue to be during the Games, taking the bus as well as the taxi could take more time than walking or taking the Tube.
By tube
Probably the most foreign to the Midwest natives is the London Underground, most similar to the rail or metro in the U.S. It is made up of more than 10 routes - both under and above ground - that travel all around the city. The best advice to give to a large city traveler is to grab a map of all of the routes and don't let it go; this will be your lifesaver. Most of the time, combining several of the routes to get to your final destination is a must.
Good luck in all your future travel endeavors, and cheers from London.
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