Podcast - Talking Transport

Episode 4 – Appealing to London TravelWatch
Senior Casework Officer at London TravelWatch – Mags Crouchers – steps into the hotseat this time around to discuss her life and career handling passenger complaints and fighting on behalf of those who travel in and around London. Mags runs through her early career and role at London’s transport watchdog including how she manages to persuade TfL and the rail operators to provide a better outcome to their complaints despite having no legal powers to do so. She also explains the complex nature of working in the casework team and how despite the challenging cases, the lovely words of thanks she receives from passengers gives her the hope and encouragement to continue to fight on their behalf. It’s a cracking listen – we hope you enjoy it!

Episode 3 – Personal Security
In episode 3 we chat with Transport for London’s Director of Security, Policing and Enforcement Siwan Hayward about all things personal security and what TfL is doing to improve the safety of people travelling on its network. We discuss some of the collaborative campaigns our two organisations have worked on including encouraging active bystander behaviour, London TravelWatch’s research into violence against women and girls on transport and efforts to make reporting of sexual harassment and hate crime easier. Siwan discusses TfL’s latest efforts to refresh the active bystander campaign and how the newly created taskforce will help drive change through the collective effort of the numerous stakeholders involved.

Episode 2 – Talking Buses
In this episode, we sit down with Claire Walters, CEO of Bus Users UK – the body representing bus passengers across Great Britain outside of London. Claire walks us through 13 years running Bus Users including what’s improved for buses, what’s remained static and where, unfortunately, things are going backward.

Episode 1 – Celebrating 25 years of London TravelWatch
In our debut episode, Chief Executive Michael Roberts and Chair Tricia Hayes talk us through 25 years of London TravelWatch. Covering topics including the final introduction of the Elizabeth line and its impact on the capital all the way through to free toilets, fares and ticketing, pushing for greater accessibility and calling out ever increasing digital exclusion preventing people from being able to use the transport network.