An Englishman should never run for a tram, train or bus. It is so undignified.

(OK, I did it once whilst soggy but the occasion had a happy ending)

Mmm don't think it was racist..... it was mean but I do agree with all the "keeping to schedule" etc comments. You know the Swissies and their time-keeping

I don't use the trams very often, actually, not at all these days really. Can't stand the crowds and the smell of stale breath!! Yukko!

One of my most moments, when I had only the tram to travel around Basel and get to work, was when I ran (in those days I could run pretty fast, obviously not fast enough in this case) for the tram and watched a guy watching me as the tram door closed, he grinned at me, his finger hovering over the button and then, with the same hand, he waved at me and I was left to watch the tram move away without me! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!! I didn't wish anything bad for him.... just the worst ever!!. Promptly learnt to drive and have never looked back!

Playing the race card? Really? Like seriously? Dont even get me started on the number of times people have kept the door opened for this Asian when they've seen me running.

Logically speaking, can you imagine the chaos it will cause if all tram drivers stop and wait whenever they see someone running towards them? No more Swiss transport efficiency I tell you, and god knows how many people will pop an artery (me included).

Now if you'd excuse me, I simply must go unroll my eyes from the back of my head.

I've perfected my "I'm not bothered. I didn't want that one anyway" look.

I tell you, I could be a cat.

This is what happened when the doors closed and the tram drove away.

I was born with that look. My mother was not impressed.

wow...most of you have gone lengths thinking of excuses for the tram driver...
but hmmm yea lesson learnt...dont chase trams...

Thanks to all those who understood that I was just venting out! thanks for telling me its ok...lol...cause it really is a part of life...I get that.

and to be fair...now that I think about it...not all tram drivers are the same...some even....smile!!!

It not all bad...

wow!! this beats my experience...

strangely...I agree!

.... silly me thought that a real dignified Englishman never takes tram or bus but a cab. I am learning so much on this forum

Was it this one?

i don't see why any train should stop or slow down for anyone, with or without child. it's bad luck, you missed it. i am sure it was not intentional on the part of the controller. hopefully tomorrow is a better day

I would have said nine times out of ten a tram driver will wait for you if it won't delay the tram too much and you are obviously making an effort to get to the tram. If a control light has gone to "go" and the doors are already locked then unfortunately it is too late. In Basel, there is rarely more than 10 minutes between trams unless you are travelling on the BLTs on a Sunday or bank holiday schedule in which case they are more like every 15 mins.

On the whole, I find public transport here clean, efficient, easy to understand the ticketing system. to be honest we are spoiled here. Compare it to London - it has taken me half an hour to figure out how to get from Heathrow to Streatham Common. And the prospect of traversing London with a small child in tow gives me the willies quite frankly. Also, if you have a pushchair etc, most tram passengers are good about letting you through and giving you a hand.

Cheers,
Nick

__________________

Population of 7.7 million.

Not racist in any way. It happened to me twice last week, with pram. Swiss efficiency cuts both ways. Our alternative is to run faster I suppose...

Okay, in that case, compare it to a UK town of similar size...Basingstoke and Deane...now, how many trams in Basingstoke will wait while you dash for it with a pram?

There, I've got you now!

Cheers,
Nick

yesterday I watched a (Swiss?) woman board the tram and she literally sat right on the crack between the two seats, while a Muslim woman was preparing to sit next to her. The look exchanged was classic.

Racism/Classism/Xenophobia is rampant here, like nothing I've ever seen before. That said, I'm willing to believe the tram operator in the OP's case was keeping a schedule.

I've huffed it a few times to try and catch a tram and had the same thing happen. At least it's only 7 minutes until the next one.

The last time I took a tram in Zurich I realised after about 2 seconds that I was sat in the seat in front of a woman who clearly had incontinence and mental health issues. I really don't think the drivers are too fussy about who they let on

Damn, the muslim woman clearly didn't get the memo about not wearing her "Looks at me I'm a muslim" t-shirt in public

I can believe you assuming the driver was acting like an idiot but why racist? Why does it always have to be about race? It is getting old really...I know it happens but just to assume it really I dont get it