Mobility Stories

Steve Cassidy

When were you last on a bus? What is your favourite transport app? Did you travel on the bus much as a kid? The conversation always takes many directions. To the really important things in life. Mobility Stories. Mobility Memories. https://www.sympatric.co.uk/mobility Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

  1. Jon’s Brain: getting organised, getting out and getting home (via Citymapper)

    04/30/2024

    Jon’s Brain: getting organised, getting out and getting home (via Citymapper)

    Jon’s Brain He’s Jon to most but Thug to a small number. We arrived at Lancaster University on the first day just after my Mum left me with a kiss, a tear and a box of food which had one of everything I would need in a kitchen for the next 6 months. The big bloke opposite suddenly filled my open door with an obvious intent to take my lovingly assembled box. Red Doc Martins, army jacket, highlights, a big necklace and an expression designed to scare. I didn’t realise that was his usual attire, and that face was actually his mild smile. Neither did anyone else on that College corridor in those heady first hours in the early 80’s when flecked hair highlights were actually quite a strong statement. A nickname was christened: the least thuggy Thug in the UK. What I learnt from our transporty chat: ·      Thug is great at organising! (I actually knew this) He’s therefore good at transport ·      A bike is a great engagement present: cycling and physical and mental health go hand in hand. ·      Even with Jon's very organised brain he can’t work out how to obtain his Network Rail Card discount on a ticket purchased via a ticket vending machine. ·      Traveline has a simple very user friendly interface – great for information, but no need from Jon for them to do the full booking process by the app. ·      “Get me home” is actually within Citymapper: a highly rated functionality for a critical time. ·      You don’t need incentives and competitions to do something you enjoy – Strava’s not for Thug Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    24 min
  2. Susan, Ian and Matt: out and about  - together

    03/18/2024

    Susan, Ian and Matt: out and about - together

    Two questions: When were you last on a bus? What is your favourite transport app? The conversation always takes many directions. To the really important things.Susan, Ian and Matt took me to trains and planning for travel with autism. They are a formidable unit.I started the podcast as I wanted to think and learn. In transporty terms, after our chat, I am thinking more about: “group” travel and decision making: who does what can be an interesting dynamic;the whole notion of downloadable travel app: it can and does play a useful role, but as ever, what would be most valuable to humans in the travel and in the digital space? I am also thinking about the closed compartment – sitting together and closing the door. Susan told me later about their anxiety of travelling with Matt, especially on a bus: “where room is tight and it's hard to make a 'quick escape' if someone coughs, for instance, and sends Matt into meltdown. So, we worry that there won't be seats to sit together, away from others, so we can calm Matt quickly if meltdown should consume him”. In the last Mobility Stories podcast Rona loved the compartment on the tram. In Ian's Mobility Stories he uses the imagery of the train compartment in his positive transport memories.  And what about the learnings after out chat? I have learnt about Matt’s many skills and talents in travel planning – just how much he does and does really well. I knew about the challenges he faces in travel but let that blind me to the real talents that he uses every day, including in transport. But the stories of Susan, Ian and Matt’s travel helped me learn and I am grateful for that. Music Credit: Life of a Wandering Wizard by Serge Quadrado Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    15 min

About

When were you last on a bus? What is your favourite transport app? Did you travel on the bus much as a kid? The conversation always takes many directions. To the really important things in life. Mobility Stories. Mobility Memories. https://www.sympatric.co.uk/mobility Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.