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New book - Derailed: How to fix Britain's broken railways

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tomoufc

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I hope you don't mind me promoting my new book here?

Details below, but first let me say that it is partly inspired by discussions on this forum, and fare advice given by forum members.

As such, forum members can get 30% off the cover price, using the promo code DERAILED30 here:

"Tom Haines-Doran is a political economist specialising in transport systems, infrastructure and social movements. He currently works at the University of Leeds, leading research on transport decarbonisation. He previously worked as a researcher for the Urban Transport Group, authoring research documents for high-level decision makers in local and national government."

And a synopsis of the book:

"Why don't trains run on time? Why are fares so expensive? Why are there so many strikes?

Few would disagree that Britain's railways are broken, and have been for a long time.

This insightful new book calls for a radical rethink of how we view the railways, and explains the problems we face and how to fix them. Haines-Doran argues that the railways should be seen as a social good and an indispensable feature of the national economy. With passengers and railway workers holding governments to account, we could then move past the incessant debates on whether our railways are an unavoidably loss-making business failure. An alternative vision is both possible and affordable, enabling the railways to play an instrumental role in decreasing social inequalities, strengthening the economy and supporting a transition to a sustainable future."
 
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Hophead

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From reading the summary, it seems to suffer from the same problem that has plagued the UK for decades.
  • the railways should be seen as a social good...
  • With passengers and railway workers holding governments to account...
  • enabling the railways to play an instrumental role in decreasing social inequalities...
etc etc.

If the word "railways" could be substituted with the two words "public transport", we might have a system rather less broken.

Sorry to sound critical, when I'm sure you've put a lot of effort in, and I daresay it's well worth a read. Just a personal bugbear of mine!
 
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Bletchleyite

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If the word "railways" could be substituted with the two words "public transport", we might have a system rather less broken.

Absolutely. I've ordered it and do look forward to a read (though with the delivery fee you only actually save a quid or so over buying it from Amazon) but this is forever my point - public transport (and cycling, and pedestrianism) work better together against the real adversary, the car. Though paradoxically sometimes with it too!
 

Peter Sarf

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Absolutely. I've ordered it and do look forward to a read (though with the delivery fee you only actually save a quid or so over buying it from Amazon) but this is forever my point - public transport (and cycling, and pedestrianism) work better together against the real adversary, the car. Though paradoxically sometimes with it too!
Yes. I see the railways future as PART of public transport and human powered transport. To address the railways on their own perpetuates the time honoured problem of ignoring the beauty of integrated transport. This leads many to erroneously view the car as the only door to door transport solution. Perpetuated by viewing railway privatisation as the road to competitiveness by making different rail routes compete with each other even though the markets the routes served were often totally different !.
 

tomoufc

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Yes. I see the railways future as PART of public transport and human powered transport. To address the railways on their own perpetuates the time honoured problem of ignoring the beauty of integrated transport. This leads many to erroneously view the car as the only door to door transport solution. Perpetuated by viewing railway privatisation as the road to competitiveness by making different rail routes compete with each other even though the markets the routes served were often totally different !.
Completely agree with this, and it's the subject of the final chapter.
 

Bletchleyite

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No. May I ask where you tried to buy it? Would you mind forwarding me the details, so I can take it up with my publisher?

Via the Manchester Uni Press site you linked to.

The order still seems to be active, so I wonder if it is the case that the authorisation has expired without the actual money being claimed yet because it's not yet ready to ship.
 

Busaholic

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Absolutely. I've ordered it and do look forward to a read (though with the delivery fee you only actually save a quid or so over buying it from Amazon) but this is forever my point - public transport (and cycling, and pedestrianism) work better together against the real adversary, the car. Though paradoxically sometimes with it too!
Which is another way of saying Amazon is often more expensive than buying from more seasoned and specialist outlets, and the ignorance of that fact is a permanent hobby horse of mine. When they have the total monopoly (not too far off, if I'm feeling gloomy) there'll be no saving or discount, other than on an artificially inflated 'cover price.' Besides, Manchester University Press doesn't have the ability to ship their books for the pittance the behemoth is charged.
 

crablab

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I can recommend Hive for purchasing books from someone that isn't Amazon, and which is often a similar (if not cheaper!) price. They also don't charge for shipping.

They have some kind of rebate scheme for local independent bookshops too, so a percentage of your purchase goes to a store you nominate.


I've ordered my copy :)
 

tomoufc

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Via the Manchester Uni Press site you linked to.

The order still seems to be active, so I wonder if it is the case that the authorisation has expired without the actual money being claimed yet because it's not yet ready to ship.
I think that's right.

They sent me the following:

"What they are seeing is the pre-authorisation expiring. As the title is being back ordered we can't take payment until it goes out the door. Once the stock comes back in a new authorisation will be created. We’ve checked a few orders for this title at random and they are all having the pre-auth reversed (not a refund) because we can't despatch the books yet. The book will dispatch as per usual on publication / printing."

I take this to mean they'll take payment when they dispatch, perhaps something to watch out for?

Enjoy!
 

tomoufc

Member
Joined
12 Dec 2014
Messages
420
I can recommend Hive for purchasing books from someone that isn't Amazon, and which is often a similar (if not cheaper!) price. They also don't charge for shipping.

They have some kind of rebate scheme for local independent bookshops too, so a percentage of your purchase goes to a store you nominate.


I've ordered my copy :)
Great. Hope you like it.

Also, thanks for the Hive recommendation.
 

Bletchleyite

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I think that's right.

They sent me the following:

"What they are seeing is the pre-authorisation expiring. As the title is being back ordered we can't take payment until it goes out the door. Once the stock comes back in a new authorisation will be created. We’ve checked a few orders for this title at random and they are all having the pre-auth reversed (not a refund) because we can't despatch the books yet. The book will dispatch as per usual on publication / printing."

I take this to mean they'll take payment when they dispatch, perhaps something to watch out for?

Enjoy!

Cheers.
 

yorksrob

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From reading the summary, it seems to suffer from the same problem that has plagued the UK for decades.
  • the railways should be seen as a social good...
  • With passengers and railway workers holding governments to account...
  • enabling the railways to play an instrumental role in decreasing social inequalities...
etc etc.

If the word "railways" could be substituted with the two words "public transport", we might have a system rather less broken.

Sorry to sound critical, when I'm sure you've put a lot of effort in, and I daresay it's well worth a read. Just a personal bugbear of mine!

Why ? The railway has its own particular problems which need sorting out which could probably fill several volumes.
 
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