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Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast
January 30th - Navigating the 2024 Rail Strikes: Aslef vs Train Operators
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Today, I am examining the persistent rail strike by Aslef, now impacting the UK's rail system into 2024. The strike, involving 14 train operators, has entered its third calendar year, leading to widespread travel chaos. Our discussion includes an analysis of the strike's causes, its current status, and potential future developments.
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May 17th - A closer look at rail reform plans
07:06Reporting from King's Cross, I explore the recent Commons debate on rail reliability. I offer my perspective on Labour's approach to rail reform and the challenges of improving UK rail services.This podcast is free, as is the travel newsletter from The Independent. Sign up for it here.May 16th - Celebrating 30 years at The Independent
21:22Today's travel podcast, in which my excellent travel desk colleagues – Annabel Grossman, Benjamin Parker and Natalie Wilson – quiz me about 30 years at The Independent.This podcast is free, as is the travel newsletter from The Independent. Sign up for it here.May 15th - Looking skyward with astronomer Dr John Mason
11:00Good heavens! Today I'm looking skyward with astronomer extraordinary Dr John Mason, who reports on the total eclipse last month, and the biggest display of Northern Lights for decades, last weekend.This podcast is free, as is the travel newsletter from The Independent. Sign up for it here.May 14th - An open goal for Berlin with Euro 2024?
07:37One month to go before Euro 2024 kicks off in Munich, and two months before the final (England v Scotland?) in Berlin. Today I speak to Charles Wilson of CW Sports Travel.This podcast is free, as is the travel newsletter from The Independent. Sign up for it here.May 13th - "I'm on the train" – but is the wifi any good?
05:42South Western Railway is shortly to bring in ultra-fast wifi on trains between London and Hampshire. But almost everywhere else in the UK, connectivity on rail is lousy. Why is this, and what can be done about it?This podcast is free, as is the travel newsletter from The Independent. Sign up for it here.May 10th - M25 shutdown: a test of traveler patience
06:32I explore the weekend closure of the M25 and its impact on travellers between Heathrow and Gatwick Airports. From Central London, I delve into the reasons behind the closure, the detours, and how to navigate the changes.This podcast is free, as is the travel newsletter from The Independent. Sign up for it here.May 9th - Laying the track for Summer 2024
06:47We're now at the end of the latest round of rail strikes by the train drivers’ union, Aslef, and so it's a good moment to look forward with some anticipation to the new rail options when the summer timetables come into effect on 2nd June.This podcast is free, as is the travel newsletter from The Independent. Sign up for it here.May 8th - What's going on with the UK's eGates system
06:57Tens of thousands of airline passengers arriving at airports across the UK faced waits of several hours last night after another collapse of the eGates system that automatically check passports. The IT failure took over four hours to fix, during which time large queues built up.This podcast is free, as is the travel newsletter from The Independent. Sign up for it here.May 7th - Strike updates from Waterloo station
05:41Once again I am at London Waterloo station reporting on another strike by members of the Aslef union. But as a third summer of strikes by train drivers belonging to Aslef begins, a glimmer of hope for an end to the conflict. Negotiations with rail firms could shortly resume after a year. Union boss Mick Whelan tells me a ‘relatively’ clean pay deal could end the dispute.This podcast is free, as is the travel newsletter from The Independent. Sign up for it here.