WE ALL love the trams right?
Even those - and there are plenty of them - with a seemingly permanent downer on our town will add what you might call the tram caveat ('Those trams are good though, aren't they?' or 'At least we have trams')
So why are the people of Croydon so proud of their trams? Here's a few reasons:
1. Trams run in all weathers and conditions. While our trains wimp out because of a few leaves on the line and cars grind to a halt at the first sign of snow, the trams carry on majestically, ploughing through wind/rain/snow/cyclone and telling the rest of the transport crew to man up.
2. The trams are almost always on time. Drive to work and you'll get stuck in traffic, get the train and, well, we know what happens there. But the trams? You could set your watch by them.
3. They are green, not just in colour, but also in terms of their environmental impacts. Only walking or cycling are better for the planet and, let's face it, nobody wants to do that.
4. All human life is there. The trams don't care for hierarchy, they are no respecter of reputation and status. Recently, Palace players Joe Ledley and Joel Ward were spotted on a tram while Boris is known to use them occasionally (what do you mean he's just doing it for the show?) On the flip side, what better place than to meet a few local 'characters'?
5. It makes Croydon unique. We are the only town in the south of England with trams. Sure, everyone seems to think central London is the centre of the universe these days and, of course, Brighton has a beach and some lovely shops selling Tofu-based smoothies - but they haven't got ruddy trams, have they?
6. Back to the start really - the trams unite Croydon, everyone loves them. So much so, maybe we should go the whole hog and rename this place Tramdon. Now there's a thought..
