Athens of the North
While writing the other day about the problems facing Greece - epitomised by its super-modern yet apparently cost-free underground system - I was struck by a weird thought.
Because the fair city of Edinburgh - Scotland's vibrant, lively, but tram-free capital - was once known as the 'Athens of the North'.
So maybe our respective countries have something to learn from each other - about transport scandals.
In Scotland's case £500 million down the drain - without even a single tram to show for all that public money.
While in Athens goodness knows how many 'gazillions' have been lost - on an underground transport network that relies on an honesty box - to recover its massive operating costs.
If there is a public inquiry set up to get to the bottom of these two madcap transport schemes - I offer my time and services free of charge.
But I also propose that councillors and council officials are barred from participating - except as potential witnesses, of course.
Because the fair city of Edinburgh - Scotland's vibrant, lively, but tram-free capital - was once known as the 'Athens of the North'.
So maybe our respective countries have something to learn from each other - about transport scandals.
In Scotland's case £500 million down the drain - without even a single tram to show for all that public money.
While in Athens goodness knows how many 'gazillions' have been lost - on an underground transport network that relies on an honesty box - to recover its massive operating costs.
If there is a public inquiry set up to get to the bottom of these two madcap transport schemes - I offer my time and services free of charge.
But I also propose that councillors and council officials are barred from participating - except as potential witnesses, of course.
