IELTS Speaking · 9

I mostly get around by bus and the metro, because driving in the city centre is honestly a nightmare with all the traffic. When I was younger I used the bus even more, since I couldn't drive and it was the cheapest option for a student. The most common form here is probably the metro, as it's fast and avoids road congestion completely. As for value, I think it's pretty reasonable. A monthly pass doesn't cost much, and it definitely works out cheaper than paying for fuel and parking every single day.

I'd like to talk about a tram journey I took across the city to attend a friend's graduation ceremony. It was a Saturday morning, and I was travelling with my younger sister, who came along to keep me company. We caught the tram from a stop near our flat, expecting a quick twenty-minute ride. However, halfway through, the tram suddenly stopped because of a problem on the line ahead, and we were stuck for almost forty minutes. At first we were quite anxious, since I was terrified of being late for the ceremony. But then something unexpected happened: the other passengers started chatting, sharing snacks, and one elderly man even told us funny stories about how the trams used to run decades ago. By the time we got moving again, the whole carriage felt almost like a little community. We arrived just in time, slightly out of breath but laughing. I remember this journey well partly because of the stress, but mainly because of how strangers turned an annoying delay into something genuinely pleasant. It taught me that public transport isn't only about getting from A to B; it can also bring people together in surprising ways. Honestly, I think about that tram ride whenever I'm tempted to complain about delays.

Many people stick to private cars because they offer privacy, comfort and flexibility, especially for families or those carrying heavy items. To shift this habit, governments could invest in faster, cleaner networks and make fares cheaper, while also charging more for driving in city centres. As for the future, I'm convinced it'll change dramatically, with electric and possibly driverless vehicles becoming the norm. Reliable public transport is also vital for a city's growth, since it connects workers to jobs, reduces pollution and makes neighbourhoods more attractive to live in, ultimately boosting the whole local economy.