Despite having one of the largest subway networks in the world, New Yorkers now experience frustratingly erratic and unreliable service. Underfunding has meant that engineers have been pushing the often-century-old subway signalling hardware decades past …
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Guards in Name Only? Dwell Times And The SWR Guards Dispute
In December 2019 the RMT union called a strike by guards on South Western Railway (SWR). It is entirely possible that it escaped your notice. The reasons for that, and for its calling, are worth …
Continue readingThe London Reconnections 2019 Christmas Quiz
It’s that most wonderful time of the year. So while Father Christmas tries to top up his Oyster card, why not take a shot at the one, the only… London Reconnections Annual Christmas Quiz! 2019 …
Continue readingNo Longer World Class Capacity
For many years TfL have run an investment programme grandly entitled ‘World Class Capacity’. Its worthy aim was to introduce a frequency of trains on the Northern, Jubilee and Victoria that could be considered world …
Continue readingSchrodinger’s Cab Firm: Uber’s Existential Crisis
London’s minicab regulator, TfL, has revoked Uber’s licence to operate in the British capital, one of its largest world markets. Getting that licence back may require the firm to finally confront a question it cannot …
Continue readingMind the Gender Gap: The Hidden Data Gap in Transport
Transport data and decision-making don’t just under-represent women. In many cases they trivialise or ignore their needs completely.
Continue readingCrossrail: Progressing but slipping
News on progress of existing TfL schemes has been in short supply during most of 2019. As if to make up for this, the 23rd October meeting of the Programmes & Investment Committee provided not …
Continue readingA short history of Crossrail 2 (Part 1)
Starting via Crossrail 1 If Crossrail 1 is currently symbolised by ‘not on time, not on budget’, then how much does this tarnish, delay or otherwise impede progress with further rail schemes, particularly Crossrail 2? …
Continue readingLondon’s Exiles: Andy Byford – From Broadway to Broadway
“There’s a great story to be told of British and London transport expertise, which is being sought out once again” Andy Byford, then-CEO of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), mused when we last saw him …
Continue readingThe Final Result: Crossrail Heads to Terminal 5
July 4th 2017 saw the surprise announcement that the Elizabeth line would serve Terminal 5 at Heathrow. Heathrow Media Centre, the public relations department of Heathrow Airport Ltd, let the world know of this Crossrail …
Continue readingHow Can You Mend A Broken Railway? Thameslink and the Gibb Report
Last summer the Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling, commissioned a report from an experienced and well-respected railwayman, Chris Gibb. The goal was a framework to enable much-needed improvements to railway services across the …
Continue readingThe Importance of Being Earnest: Making the Case for Crossrail 2
“When I was at school I liked art.” Says Michèle Dix CBE, Managing Director of Crossrail 2, when we ask her how she began her journey to the world of London transport. “I liked drawing, …
Continue readingEmpire of the Air: The Imperial Airship Service
In 1926 artist Montague Black, famous for his work with the White Star Line, created a new piece of art for London Underground. According to the painting in 2026 the city would be dominated by …
Continue readingA Game Of Zones: Sir Peter Hendy to Leave TfL
To begin with, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin’s statement on Network Rail in front of Parliament this morning contained no surprises – at least not to those familiar with the works delays and escalating project costs …
Continue readingLondon’s Lost Pneumatic Railway: The World’s 2nd Oldest Underground
In the white heat of the Victorian age a number of motive powers seemed set to vie for the future. Steam power? Cable? Both were relatively new technologies whose potential seemed endless. Briefly in the …
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