However, the paper was evidently of some value to the woman behind me, who sat down with an audible harumph and tut. I offered her the paper, to which she snootily replied “Oh no, I have a much better paper!”, and proceeded to loudly take out some copy of The Literary Economist (not a literal title, but something of that ilk) and concentrate on that. Even though I’d put the paper back down on the bus seat so she could read it.

The bus proceeded to where I had to get off, and as I was waiting for the bus to stop, I noticed her putting down her better paper, and grabbing the Metro as if her life depended on it. I never knew something that’s available for free would be so valuable…

Fast forward 5 or so years, and Metro has come to Cardiff. As many people in the office have commented, I’m not too sure how this is going to work – hardly anyone I know in Cardiff uses public transport to get to work. They either drive or walk, but they don’t sully themselves with the outrageous prices charged by Cardiff Bus – the bus company that’s apparently owned by us. Pah!

I, of course, have no such compunction. Caught the bus to work this morning, and found a newspaper dispenser stuffed full of Metros. Given that this was about 10am – a time when in London, Metros would be rarer than a viable dotcom plan, this was quite surprising.

Perhaps the commuters just didn’t feel the need for a anodyne daily newspaper. Because Metro feels about as relevant to Cardiff as the New York Times. There are two pages of listings culled from the PA (spreading its net as far as that other bustling metropolis Newport), a couple of tiny news stories, and a couple of tiny interviews with artists who are “coming to Cardiff soon” – and that’s about as Cardiff as it got. For the launch issue. Oh, and a free voucher for a bottle of Japanese beer.

Still, at least I can finally catch up on the adventures of mainstream goth girl Nemi.