Talking Transport

To kick off Season 2 of Talking Transport, Michael Solomon Williams from the Campaign for Better Transport talks to us about CBT’s latest campaign to fix a gap in the one area of transport that doesn’t have a minimum standard – bus stops. While other transport modes and facilities have basic requirements that they must fulfil, the humble bus stop has none. Michael explains how he and his colleagues are fighting to change that. In a wide-ranging discussion, we also chat the return of the £2 bus cap outside of London, the National Rail fares freeze, Better Transport Week, Rail Reform, whether London’s losing its crown as the national leader in transport innovation, personal safety and more. Finally, after one of the hottest and driest summers on record, we talk the Climate Crisis and what it means for both the country and investment in transport infrastructure going forward. Do you think bus stops should be legally required to meet a basic minimum standard? And is your local stop missing something fundamental? Let us know!

In this special episode, we take a look back across the shows over the past year and review some of the major themes that came up with our great mix of guests. So whether it's older Londoners being digitally excluded, personal security, buses falling short or getting caught short due to a lack of public toilets, there's a topic for everyone. There's also a few behind-the-scenes glimpses that you usually don't see - and even a reference to Barbie and Toy Story 2. What more could you possibly ask for?

In this episode of Talking Transport, we sit down with John McGeachy, Campaigns Manager for Age UK London to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities older people face when travelling across the capital. As London’s population ages, ensuring our transport network remains accessible, affordable, and inclusive is more important than ever. From protecting the vital Freedom Pass and 60+ Oyster photocard to tackling the growing issue of digital exclusion in ticketing, we take a deep dive into the campaigns aimed at keeping older Londoners active and connected. We cover: 🛡️ Protecting Concessions: Why the Freedom Pass is a lifeline for social inclusion. 📱 The Digital Divide: Ensuring those who aren't online aren't left behind by "digital-first" transport services. 🚶 Age-Friendly Streets: What makes a journey comfortable, from public toilets to seating and step-free access. 🤝 Travel Mentoring: How Transport for London's Travel Mentoring service helps build confidence for independent travel. Whether you're interested in transport policy or finding out how to make a fairer network for all ages, this is a must-listen conversation.

This time we're joined by Alex Campbell from our sister watchdog Transport Focus. Alex joined the organisation a year ago having spent much of his working life in energy and tech. Now at Transport Focus, he heads up the Policy and Insight team driving forward major pieces of research and managing some of the largest transport surveys in the country. Alex also lays some of the big opportunities ahead with the creation of the much anticipated Great British Railways which will include a new rail watchdog with enhanced regulatory and enforcement powers. There's a lot to digest in such a short space of time but thankfully Alex makes everything approachable and engaging. So if you're not a transport nerd, don't worry - industry jargon doesn't get a look in!

Senior Casework Officer at London TravelWatch - Mags Croucher - steps into the hotseat this time around to discuss her life and career handling passenger complaints and fighting on behalf of those who travel in and around London. Mags runs through her early career and role at London's transport watchdog including how she manages to persuade TfL and the rail operators to provide a better outcome to their complaints despite having no legal powers to do so. She also explains the complex nature of working in the casework team and how despite the challenging cases, the lovely words of thanks she receives from passengers gives her the hope and encouragement to continue to fight on their behalf. It's a cracking listen - we hope you enjoy it!

In episode 3 we chat with Transport for London's Director of Security, Policing and Enforcement Siwan Hayward about all things personal security and what TfL is doing to improve the safety of people travelling on its network. We discuss some of the collaborative campaigns our two organisations have worked on including encouraging active bystander behaviour, London TravelWatch's research into violence against women and girls on transport and efforts to make reporting of sexual harassment and hate crime easier. Siwan discusses TfL's latest efforts to refresh the active bystander campaign and how the newly created taskforce will help drive change through the collective effort of the numerous stakeholders involved.

In this episode, we sit down with Claire Walters, CEO of Bus Users UK - the body representing bus passengers across Great Britain outside of London. Claire walks us through 13 years running Bus Users including what's improved for buses, what's remained static and where, unfortunately, things are going backward. We also hear suggestions of how things can improve (funding's certainly one!) and how operators outside of the capital can learn from London and the TfL model as well as what it can learn from some of the innovations happening across the rest of the country. Finally, we hear Claire's plans for the future following her announcement that she is to retire later in the year and why Bus Users is in the safest possible hands in the future.

In our debut episode, Chief Executive Michael Roberts and Chair Tricia Hayes talk us through 25 years of London TravelWatch. Covering topics including the final introduction of the Elizabeth line and its impact on the capital all the way through to free toilets, fares and ticketing, pushing for greater accessibility and calling out ever increasing digital exclusion preventing people from being able to use the transport network. With contributions from former colleagues and shoutouts to the work of our amazing casework team - there's plenty to get stuck into. Finally, we look ahead to what we expect to happen in the next quarter of a century. Will Great British Railways bring about the much needed changes and reforms to rejuvenate train travel in the 21st Century? And will AI turn everything on its head?