To Casperia and back by train…

In 2022 my wife and I travelled to Casperia and back by train (to La Torretta which my aunt/uncle/cousins have run since about 2000).  I documented that trip here To Rome and back by train… – Mark Barry (swalesmetroprof.blog).   We have just repeated that trip in April 2024 to mark something of a semi-retirement for … Continue reading To Casperia and back by train…

Cardiff bus station, bus networks and integration…

Cardiff is getting a new bus station in Spring 2024…at last.  Over the last few months, I have observed much commentary on this project, about the delay, the shortcomings, the coaches, etc. Some appear insightful, some misinformed and some just wrong.  So, I thought I might share a few reflections on bus, integration and the … Continue reading Cardiff bus station, bus networks and integration…

Mark Barry, May 2022: Submission to Senedd Climate Change Committee

This is a version of my submission to the Senedd Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee, in May 2022 as part of their review of bus and rail transport in Wales . The transcript is here. To note: the views and opinions expressed in this paper are those of Mark Barry and no other person … Continue reading Mark Barry, May 2022: Submission to Senedd Climate Change Committee

Wales’ Metros – Update Feb 2022

A summary of this blog appeared in the Business Section of the Western Mail in March 2022 There has been some recent coverage in the media and some social media chatter about Wales’ Metro projects, their status and what they might deliver.  Given my involvement in all of them – Cardiff/South Wales  since 2010 and … Continue reading Wales’ Metros – Update Feb 2022

Levelling Up, Working Together? A Transport Enhancement Programme for Wales

A challenge to UK & Welsh Governments... A summary of this article appeared in the Western Mail on 28th June 2021 PS some minor edits made in Sep 2022 Most of you will know that I have written and spoken at length over the last few years on Welsh rail, the lack of enhancement funding … Continue reading Levelling Up, Working Together? A Transport Enhancement Programme for Wales

A Cardiff Crossrail…

This blog first published in 2019 to support the Cardiff Council Transport White Paper... PS Jan 2023 - Worth looking at #1 in this blog re: pragmatic phasing of Cardiff Crossrail...A few more Jan 2023 PSs below as well... PS Nov 2023 - I have also added a link to a downloadable PDF of a … Continue reading A Cardiff Crossrail…

No new M4…so what instead?

A quick brain dump of some ideas (which is a follow up to my earlier piece on why I agree with the WG decision in respect of the M4)..….nothing new under the sun! I have also made a few tweaks and updated the map in response to some comments/suggestions... ....I also penned an article in … Continue reading No new M4…so what instead?

South Wales Metro – Critique

In November 2018 I was asked to submit evidence to the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee at the National Assembly for Wales in respect of the procurement of the Wales and Borders Franchise and South Wales Metro by Transport for Wales.    In setting out my view of that process and an assessment of the … Continue reading South Wales Metro – Critique