What Moves Us

What Moves Us - Our Five Year Anniversary!

It's been five years since Johannah and Liam began the podcast. In this episode, they reflect back on some of the milestones from the period, including diverging transport policy in the nations of Britain; the developing - and redeveloping - policy environment; and the impact of all this change  on small companies.

All alongside our aspirations for the next five years. They anchor the discussion on the original question: what's the point of transport?

What Moves Us: Policy, Diversity & Skill

In today's episode Johannah, Deb and Liam discuss the UK Labour party's proposed rail policy (sounding a little familiar) as well as Johannah's recent trip to the Transport Research Arena conference in Dublin.

We also cover whether AI will fool us with its simulated feelings and whether data is helpful in achieving diversity. With questions over who we count as 'the rail industry' and what diversity actually means, and the benefit of transferable skills.

Here's the article Johannah referenced: Do many women want to be train drivers: https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/do-many-women-want-to-be-train-drivers/

Here's the conference Johannah attended: Transport Research Arena: https://traconference.eu/

What Moves Us - RIA Innovation Conference 2024

Johannah is flying solo in this episode and had the incredible opportunity to attend the Railway Industry Association's Innovation Conference in Wales, where it was a whirlwind of excitement!  From keynote speeches to tech talks, exhibitor spotlights, and more, there was never a dull moment.

In this episode, she'll be chatting with some of old friends and brilliant innovators who are shaping the future of rail.

But first, let's talk about the unexpected surprise that kicked off the conference. Our host, Milda Manomaityte, strutted in with her new best friend - the robodog! Now, that definitely caught everyone's attention, sparking a debate about the future of rail innovation and maybe even a hint of extra-terrestrial excitement!

We heard from industry leaders who shared insights into resetting rail and the start of CP7. The vision for the future is clear: innovation is key to addressing challenges and driving efficiency gains.

Johannah had the chance to catch up with some conference delegates, including One Big Circle's Emily Kent, Doopee Doo's Philippe Mele, and Arcadis' Meirion Thomas. We discussed key conference themes such as sustainability, collaboration, and yes, those divisive robots!

Day two continued with the launch of RIA's thought leadership report, 'Destination: Revenue Growth.' This report looks at the gaps in rail ticketing and offers recommendations to enhance the customer experience and boost revenue.

Now, here's the big question: are these recommendations truly addressing passenger needs? We'll explore this further in our next episode, so stay tuned!

What Moves Us - Rail Scotland

In this episode, Johannah gives her thoughts on last week's Rail Scotland Conference. Listening in, Liam is joined by friend of the podcast Deb Carson to hear about the conference's themes of climate resilience, passenger experience on an integrated railway and decarbonisation of the rolling stock - all within a cost efficient model. Plenty of opportunities for our most dynamic suppliers!

What Moves Us: PassageWay

Liam Henderson & Johannah Randall speak with PassageWay's Chris Johns (10:30) to hear about their realtime digital signs placed in communities to help users understand, interpret and act on multi-modal transport information, displayed in a human-centred way. With references to Nudge Theory, overcoming digital exclusion, and the provision of FREE digital signs funded by TfL.

Chris give some insight for new companies on how to communicate their offer, where to find connections and implores founders to take advantage of those networking opportunities!

Plus our take on the Interchange conference that happened in Manchester last week: What did we learn from the sub-national transport bodies about the balance between local and regional focus, and policy versus delivery.

Plus, plus our experience with the Social Value Tool used in public procurement exercises: how does a tech start up commit to 'becoming' carbon zero, what happens if they already are?

Links referenced:
PassageWay: Smart Digital Signs - passage-way.com
Free PassageWay TfL Service Status Digital Sign - passage-way.com/londontransportstatus
Left Behind Londoners - londontravelwatch.org.uk/campaigns/digital-exclusion

Are We Using Data to Inform Climate Resilience Investment

There's an international flavour to the discussion between the Rail Innovation Group's Deb, Johannah and Liam today covering key themes of 2024, and what we've been asked to provide insight on: notably, using data to inform climate resilience and mitigation measures - are our current investment decisions making use of the existing evidence base?

 

Link to the report Johannah mentions: https://transportforthenorth.com/wp-content/uploads/Transport-related-social-exclusion-in-the-North-of-England.pdf

What Moves Us - Edging Into 2024

For our 1st episode of 2024, Johannah, Deb & Liam discuss potential key themes of the year ahead (politics, politics & politics).

Plus, Liam spoke with Jude Hough, an Innovation Growth Specialist at Innovate UK Edge to hear about the support available for startups through the organisation. They discuss working directly with SMEs to provide coaching and help to realise the potential of a promising innovation and get it to market, both in the UK and internationally. As someone who herself has experienced the start up journey, Jude is able to empathise with founders on funding and resource challenges, and is keen to hear from those with high growth ambitions, particularly around the themes of decarbonisation or improving the experience for the transport user. It all starts with a chat!

Contact Jude via the links below:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jude-hough-41930725/
or use the National Enquiry Gateway: https://www.innovateukedge.ukri.org/contact-us

Link to high speed rail report: https://www.ineco.com/ineco/en/insights/visible-futures/efficiency-spanish-sector-development-high-speed-railways

 

What Moves Us: Network Rail Accessibility

Liam & Johannah speak with Natasha Marsay, Network Rail's Accessibility and Inclusion Policy Lead, to hear about the good work being undertaken to enable autonomy for customers: including a chat about how inclusivity means more than just providing level access; trying to balance all the needs of various passenger groups; the challenge of providing consistency of experience across the station estate; and the value of the purple pound. We end with Natasha's advice for young people considering entering the rail industry: join!

What Moves Us. Interview with John Lawrence

In this episode Liam spoke with friend of the Rail Innovation Group, John Lawrence. With a history of bringing innovation into rail from both within and without rail, we talked about his experience with signalling, corporate constraints, mentorship and even the waves of (innovation) change.

 

Plus John gives his insight on large organisations' appetite for risk as well as his advice for new recruits on how best to make a difference to peoples' lives - hint... work out what skills you have to offer!

What Moves Us: Innovation & Collaboration with S&B

Liam & Johannah discuss the current uncertainty on national rail's future, including asking who benefits from Scotland's off-peak all day trial. Plus Liam speaks with Ben Jones, Business Development Manager at S&B (09:45), to ask him of his experience working within a larger supplier - what are their challenges with the innovation space; and does the company want to innovate, or does it have to innovate? 

Ben gives an open welcome to collaboration with smaller suppliers, reflecting the infectious enthusiasm of start ups' passion and knowledge of their solutions.

 

His advice for new entrants to the market: be patient and be pushy!