华尔街英语中级Lesson 82

This is Brighton station. It’s a busy station. Many passengers travel up to London every day from here. I am going to talk to one or two of the passengers now. Let’s talk to you first of all. Please can I ask you travel on the train very often? Not very much, only occasionally from where we live in the country to London. Where do you originally come from? Switzerland French speaking. How do British trains compare with Swiss trains? Well Swiss trains are very clean, on time and always at the same hour, each hour, which is very very convenient, not expensive, but in England are expensive. Are British trains getting better? No, worse. Oh dear.
Here’s a gentleman, Sir, where are you from? Australia. What do you think of our rail service. It seems fair good.  The rains seem reasonably clean and reasonably on time, so it’s alright. How do they compare with Australian trains? A fair bit better, I think. How have you  find the British Rail staff? Fairly friendly most of the time.  Splendid.  Thank you very much.  That’s alright.
Madam, could I have a quick word? Where are you from? I live in England.  Actually, I’ve lived here for 11 years, but I’m from Holland originally, so by comparison, I think British Rails is just appalling. What’s wrong with British Rails? It doesn’t run on time, it breaks down half the time, you just can’t rely on it. Trains are dirty. Have you experienced other railways around the world? France, Holland, I think that’s about it. I have traveled in Portugal a bit, but not very much.  And British Rail doesn’t compare favorably to any of those.
And turning to you, do you think British Railways is doing quite a good job?  I think so, yes. I don’t come from this country, so, I’m just here for a week. Where are you from? Norway.  And how does British Railways compare with Norwegian Railways? I think it’s pretty much the same. Do you think there’s anything we can do to improve the railway service? I think they are quite dirty at times.
Sir, can I ask you how often do you travel on British Railways? Well, during the week I use it every day to go to work but not around here. I travel from Leson to the center of London during the week. So you are a commuter? I suppose so, yes, a short distance commuter, yes. How long does that journey take? About twenty minutes, generally, yes.