Paris and London – opposites attract on progressive transport policies
I used to take the view that Paris was an ugly city (quasi motorways alongside the Seine, the dreary Haussmann boulevards, the Eiffel Tower) but with a lot of beautiful details. As well as a city that beyond the ‘grands projets’ didn’t have so much to offer on progressive thinking on transport. But the motorways by […]
An ode to Lothian Buses
It’s good to be in the warmth of the good value Lothian Buses cafe at their Shandwick Place TravelHub. Outside a pitiless January morning wind has chased the buses down nearby Princes Street. The commuters on board the buses are happy to be cocooned (for just that little bit longer) against the cold, behind mostly steamed […]
Connections newsletter – December 2023
My latest newsletter covers: You can sign up for these bi-monthly newsletters at the box below and get them straight to your inbox
Bringing buses in Wales home
In my latest piece for Passenger Transport I take a trip across Wales by bus to see how public sector innovation has already led to big increases in patronage – providing a template for how the future of buses could look under public control. As you’ve probably noticed, it’s all happening in Wales. Of the […]
Rail centre: Klaipėda
A feature for Today’s Railways Europe My first illustrated feature for Today’s Railways Europe takes an in-depth look at the railway scene at Lithuania’s third city and only major port. You can download it here
A day on the buses in Cardiff and Newport
I think you need to see things for yourself not just have meetings and read reports. So as part of my work as the advisor to the Welsh Government and TfW on making bus services in Wales integrated, accountable and planned – I am doing just that. Here’s my south wales trip report from Cardiff […]
Connections issue 2 (September 23)
My newsletter with news and stories of progressive change is here. Issue two features: Policy geek postcard from Malmo In depth on the strange death (and rebirth) of trams in England and Scotland The poetry of the Twyford Down protests Books on climate deep time and no time at all Side projects: short film and […]
The strange death (and rebirth) of trams in England and Scotland
Riding the tram as it rolled urbanely down the Leith Walk a few weeks back, on the new extension of the Edinburgh Tram, reminded me that this is what trams do at their best. They keep it simple (you know where you are going) and they keep it comfortable (ride quality matters). We didn’t stop […]
Transport and the politics of dignity
Public transport can bestow dignity on both a city and its citizens. Politics determines whether it does – and we need more of it December 1, 1955: Montgomery, Alabama, USA. Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat for a white man on a bus in Montgomery and was arrested. This led to a year […]
Is rail’s recent golden age over?
‘…The debate and the railways have turned inward. You have the big railway desperate to get its train set back (whilst also arguing amongst themselves about who gets to be the fat controller); the Treasury, who no longer trust the big railway to run itself, and the rest of Government that isn’t clear about what […]