I WOULD like to follow up the excellent letter last week referring to trams in Oxford (Oxford Mail ViewPoints, May 26).

Last month I visited Geneva for a few days, partly to look at the tramway system. To say the least, I was most impressed.

Since 1987 Geneva has extended its system from one to seven routes, with an eighth opening next year.

There are also articulated trolleybuses. They cover some of the main routes and the buses the outskirts, often as feeders to tram routes.

I would suggest the following in Oxford:

  • Route 1 – Thornhill park and ride to Cumnor
  • Route 2 – Kidlington or Pear Tree park and ride to Redbridge park and ride or Kennington
  • Route 3 – Thornhill to Pear Tree/Kidlington via Carfax
  • Route 4 – Thornhill to Redbridge via Carfax
  • Route 5 –Cumnor to Redbridge via Carfax
  • Route 6 –Cumnor to Pear Tree/Kidlington via Carfax
  • Route 7 –Cowley Road to Greater Leys (football stadium) from central Oxford.

I would also suggest two trolleybus routes:

  • Route 1 – The existing No 10 bus route extended each end from Redbridge to possibly the Banbury Road roundabout, linking Donnington Bridge Road, Cowley Centre, Wood Farm, Headington and the JR to North Oxford.
  • Route 2 – Iffley Road/Rose Hill, with a turning point at The Plain and a feeder bus to cover Barton and Risinghurst.

The rural buses, such as the 280 Aylesbury to Oxford railway station, could transfer passengers to and from the tram routes at the relevant terminal on the edge of the city.

France and Spain have been opening new tram systems over the past few years.

Clean air seems to be so important in Europe and the cities there look so crisp when I think of fume-laden Oxford.

Perhaps a team could visit these places, not forgetting your correspondent of last week?

David M Youd, Barlow Close, Wheatley