One of the most exciting transport projects anywhere in the UK is the South Wales Metro which is now fully taking shape and promises to transform travel in and around the Cardiff Capital Region. In an extended interview, Christian hears from the person widely acknowledged as the visionary behind this metamorphosis - Mark Barry, Professor of Practice in Connectivity at Cardiff University - about the commitment and determination needed from him and many others to reach this point as well as lessons which can be applied elsewhere in Wales and the wider UK [1:40]. In his final thought from the departure lounge, Christian questions whether tougher punishments for reckless cyclists really should be a priority for legislation [31:30].

Christian reports back to listeners on the latest leg of his worldwide exploration of high speed rail networks, this time with the extraordinary progress made in the People's Republic of China [1:22]. Mark Walker and Christian discuss the impact of and explanations for the recent total shutdown of London's Heathrow Airport as a result of a fire in the electricity distribution network [22:41]. In his final thought from the departure lounge, Christian looks forward to the possibility of competition on rail services between the UK and continental Europe [29:52].

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/
• Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/callingallstations.bsky.social

In an episode all about roads and cars, Christian and Mark Walker discuss the troubles facing electric vehicle giant Tesla as the company's reputation becomes entwined with that of its leader, Elon Musk [1:40]. Christian interviews Transport Action Network founder and director Chris Todd on why the UK Government should cancel the vastly expensive Lower Thames Crossing road and look at public transport alternatives instead [13:00]. In his final thought from the departure lounge, Christian looks at the possible impact on taxi fares throughout Great Britain of legal action being taken by private hire operator Uber [27:30].

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/
• Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/callingallstations.bsky.social

Christian brings listeners the second part of his report on rail developments in India with particular reference to the city of Mumbai [2:15]; Mark Walker and Christian discuss the growing pressure for a decision on how to replace HS2 between Birmingham and Crewe [19:03]; in a tribute from the departure lounge, Christian reflects on the life and work of Professor Rod Smith [26:09].

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/
• Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/callingallstations.bsky.social

Christian reports live from India in the first part of his latest exploration of the country's vast and diverse railway system [1:23]. The new UK Government's consultation on establishing its own version of 'Great British Railways' is discussed by Christian and Mark Walker [6:53]. Richard Dilks - Chief Executive of CoMoUK - speaks to Christian about the opportunities for and challenges facing shared transport and those who wish to make use of the emerging options [27:16]. Almost literally from the departure lounge, Christian's final thought is on the dub(ai)ous pleasures of changing 'planes at a certain airport [46:55].

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/
• Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/callingallstations.bsky.social

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:

• 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/
• Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/callingallstations.bsky.social

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/