Christian and Mark analyse the speech from UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves MP and her proposals on London Heathrow Airport, the Lower Thames Crossing and East West Railway [1:42]. Christian interviews Abi Taylor and Joe Thomas on the campaign for family-friendly trains in Great Britain [17:38] and Steve Montgomery, Managing Director of First Rail, on his company's ambitions to run more open access services [34:35]. In his final thought, Christian asks what sort of competitive landscape is being created for selling train tickets [44:59].

Find 'Calling All Stations - the transport podcast' on social media channels here:

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• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/Calling_all_Stations_podcast/
• Threads - https://www.threads.net/@calling_all_stations_podcast
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Christian interviews Alan Hyde from 'Railway 200' on the exciting programme of celebrations marking the bicentenary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway and of the industry which changed not just the UK but the whole world [1:28]. Co-presenter Mark Walker discusses with Christian the big changes underway in England's bus industry with completion of Manchester's franchised Bee Network and a new Bus Services Bill being introduced into Parliament [28:27]. In his final thought, Christian reflects on the communications expertise of retiring RMT union General Secretary, Mick Lynch [35:06].

Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker examine the brief but spectacular tenure of Louise Haigh MP at the helm of the UK Department for Transport and ask what changes the past career and experience of new Secretary of State Heidi Alexander MP may bring [02:20]. Live from Tokyo, Christian reports on his experience of using the city's vast Metro system as well as Japan's pioneering high-speed Shinkansen main line network [15:30]. We have an interview with ASLEF President Dave Calfe on the rail drivers' union's new campaign for toilet and welfare facilities for train crew [36:50]. Finally, Christian asks whether Shanghai's maglev transport technology will find wider use [42:30].

Find 'Calling All Stations - the transport podcast' on social media channels here:

• X (formerly Twitter) - https://x.com/AllStationsPod
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/Calling_all_Stations_podcast/
• Threads - https://www.threads.net/@calling_all_stations_podcast
• Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/p/Calling-All-Stations-The-Transport-Podcast-61551736964201/