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Friday, 29 December 2023

Cogitamus

• The Chris Stokes Column - August 2023 - London-Edinburgh is case study in multimodal passenger competitionLondon – Edinburgh is almost certainly the most competitive public transport market in Britain with three rail companies, three airlines and three coach operators slugging it out. Virtually all ticketing is now through the internet and I recently spent an hour or so with a cold towel round my head ploughing through various websites to get a broad picture of overall prices, and how the various modes compare.
• Question 19 - Which of the following is not the name of a type of bicycle?A. Tretkurbelfahrrad B. Velocipede C. Dandy horse D. Colorado High Wheeler
• Question 20 - Which of the following Class A4 locomotives was re-named ?A. Merlin B. Silver Fox C. Golden Shuttle D. Wild Swan
• Question 21 - Which airline uses to callsign ’GREEN FLIGHT’A. Aer Lingus B. Aer Lingus UK C. Emerald Airlines D. Aer Arann Islands
• Cracker Joke - What do you call a boat full of dentists?... A tooth ferry ! 😆
• Answers to Questions 19, 20 and 21Question 19 - D, Question 20 - C (know as Dwight D Eisenhower from September 1945). Question 21 - B

Calling All Stations - The Transport Podcast

• 23 June 2023 - Calling All Stations with Christian WolmarPodcasting from Cambridge, Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker discuss the effectiveness of the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway [00:00], the challenges of introducing a congestion charge for the City [06:18] and the status of the East West Railway project [14:10]. They then consider the lessons of the 2016 fatal crash on Croydon's tram system following the recent acquittal of the driver on criminal charges [16:45]. Finally, Christian asks what kind of public transport improvements might encourage motorists to leave their cars at home [27:43].
• 1 July 2023 - Calling All Stations with Christian WolmarEXCLUSIVE! With industrial disputes continuing to affect most main line passenger rail services in Great Britain, Christian hears from ASLEF train drivers' trades union leader Mick Whelan that there has been no contact from UK Department for Transport Ministers since 6 January [1:04]. Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker also follow-up the item from Episode 20 about the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway [10:12] while the centrepiece of this episode is an extended interview with Howard Smith, Director of Transport for London's Elizabeth Line, who explains the challenges which preceded the breathtaking success of this new railway [13:13]. Finally, Christian puts the newly-released paperback edition of his book 'British Rail: A New History' in historical context [41:33].
• 10 July 2023 - Calling All Stations with Christian WolmarChristian and co-presenter Mark Walker discuss the furious reaction to suggestions that booking offices at most of England's main line rail stations will be closed and the arguments put forward by advocates of this policy [01:30]; Christian undertakes a cab ride between London Paddington and Oxford with Great Western Railway Managing Director Mark Hopwood (and some very skilful drivers) in which they discuss a range of issues including the benefits of infrastructure and station investments, incomplete electrification, integration with local buses and the restoration of Nuneham Viaduct [11:47]; finally, Christian examines the agreement at the International Maritime Organisation on measures to reduce carbon emissions from merchant shipping [37:13].
• 23 July 2023 - Calling All Stations with Christian WolmarSEASON ONE FINALE! Christian examines in detail the advantages, challenges and myths around Low Traffic Neighbourhoods with Green member of Oxford City Council, Emily Kerr [2:53]; innovative passenger boarding technology at Eurostar is then explained by the company's Gwendoline Cazenave and Gareth Williams with Andrew Budd from iProov [24:50]; and no season finale would be complete without a cliffhanger ending [44:00]. Christian Wolmar and Mark Walker will be back for Season 2 in September.