Crossword Genius

Apprentice takes to public transport with extreme ease (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

trainee

'apprentice' is the definition.
(someone undergoing training)

'to public transport with extreme ease' is the wordplay.
'to public transport' becomes 'train' (train is a kind of public transport).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'extreme' means to remove the middle letters.
'ease' with its centre removed is 'ee'.
'train'+'ee'='TRAINEE'

'takes' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for trainee that I've seen before include "Person being taught" , "One learning a job" , "Apprentice" , "encountered bad weather in driving area" , "New recruit" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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