Thomas Ableman
@freewheeling.info
🚇 Was Strategy & Innovation Director Transport for London
🖊️ Freewheeling Blog / Podcast www.freewheeling.info/blog
SUBSTACK: Freewheeling Bitesize: https://freewheelingbitesize.substack.com/ & History of Europe in 75 Railway Journeys http://bit.ly/3EQNOPA
🖊️ Freewheeling Blog / Podcast www.freewheeling.info/blog
SUBSTACK: Freewheeling Bitesize: https://freewheelingbitesize.substack.com/ & History of Europe in 75 Railway Journeys http://bit.ly/3EQNOPA
Paris is getting on and delivering autonomous buses.
On the latest podcast, I talk with James Dick of RATP (Paris's transport agency) about the work they're doing.
Autonomous public transport has so much more potential for social good than robotaxis!
www.freewheeling.info/the-freewhee...
On the latest podcast, I talk with James Dick of RATP (Paris's transport agency) about the work they're doing.
Autonomous public transport has so much more potential for social good than robotaxis!
www.freewheeling.info/the-freewhee...
October 1, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Paris is getting on and delivering autonomous buses.
On the latest podcast, I talk with James Dick of RATP (Paris's transport agency) about the work they're doing.
Autonomous public transport has so much more potential for social good than robotaxis!
www.freewheeling.info/the-freewhee...
On the latest podcast, I talk with James Dick of RATP (Paris's transport agency) about the work they're doing.
Autonomous public transport has so much more potential for social good than robotaxis!
www.freewheeling.info/the-freewhee...
Coffee looks cheerful this morning
September 29, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Coffee looks cheerful this morning
Journalists on here, please explain to me the rule that says countries can never “turn to the IMF”, they must *always* “turn, cap in hand, to the IMF”.
Is it something you learn on your grad schemes?
Is it something you learn on your grad schemes?
September 19, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Journalists on here, please explain to me the rule that says countries can never “turn to the IMF”, they must *always* “turn, cap in hand, to the IMF”.
Is it something you learn on your grad schemes?
Is it something you learn on your grad schemes?
I recently referred to Elon Musk as a neo-nazi in a LinkedIn post. You can argue that this is untrue but I don't think it's unreasonable.
I was genuinely staggered when it was taken down by LinkedIn for being Hate Speech.
It appears that calling out Elon's hate speech is, itself, hate speech.
I was genuinely staggered when it was taken down by LinkedIn for being Hate Speech.
It appears that calling out Elon's hate speech is, itself, hate speech.
September 18, 2025 at 2:06 PM
I recently referred to Elon Musk as a neo-nazi in a LinkedIn post. You can argue that this is untrue but I don't think it's unreasonable.
I was genuinely staggered when it was taken down by LinkedIn for being Hate Speech.
It appears that calling out Elon's hate speech is, itself, hate speech.
I was genuinely staggered when it was taken down by LinkedIn for being Hate Speech.
It appears that calling out Elon's hate speech is, itself, hate speech.
Passed Buckingham Palace today, and I’ve never been more of a monarchist.
Flag is at half mast for the Duchess of Kent.
The fact that is for the woman who used to give out the trophies at Wimbledon is a reminder that monarchy being ludicrous and out of touch is precisely the point.
Flag is at half mast for the Duchess of Kent.
The fact that is for the woman who used to give out the trophies at Wimbledon is a reminder that monarchy being ludicrous and out of touch is precisely the point.
September 16, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Passed Buckingham Palace today, and I’ve never been more of a monarchist.
Flag is at half mast for the Duchess of Kent.
The fact that is for the woman who used to give out the trophies at Wimbledon is a reminder that monarchy being ludicrous and out of touch is precisely the point.
Flag is at half mast for the Duchess of Kent.
The fact that is for the woman who used to give out the trophies at Wimbledon is a reminder that monarchy being ludicrous and out of touch is precisely the point.
I’ve just arrived at Euston platform 16, which means a view of the Rishi Sunak Big Empty Space
This is where they are busy winding down from building a new high speed station, prior to the next task of setting up the building of a new high speed station.
I believe this was done to save money
This is where they are busy winding down from building a new high speed station, prior to the next task of setting up the building of a new high speed station.
I believe this was done to save money
September 11, 2025 at 6:35 PM
I’ve just arrived at Euston platform 16, which means a view of the Rishi Sunak Big Empty Space
This is where they are busy winding down from building a new high speed station, prior to the next task of setting up the building of a new high speed station.
I believe this was done to save money
This is where they are busy winding down from building a new high speed station, prior to the next task of setting up the building of a new high speed station.
I believe this was done to save money
Seriously, @microsoft.com, seriously? The world’s richest man needs protecting from a transport consultant?
LinkedIn have taken down my post calling on people to quit X for BlueSky.
LinkedIn have taken down my post calling on people to quit X for BlueSky.
September 7, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Seriously, @microsoft.com, seriously? The world’s richest man needs protecting from a transport consultant?
LinkedIn have taken down my post calling on people to quit X for BlueSky.
LinkedIn have taken down my post calling on people to quit X for BlueSky.
Low traffic neighbourhoods aren’t about traffic
September 5, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Low traffic neighbourhoods aren’t about traffic
I have a new follower on Substack. But I momentarily misread the name as "Carry on Substack".
Which took by brain into imagining Sid James, Hattie Jacques and Barbara Windsor in the attention economy...
Carry on YouTube, Carry on TikTok, Carry on OnlyFans - the mind boggles at the opportunities.
Which took by brain into imagining Sid James, Hattie Jacques and Barbara Windsor in the attention economy...
Carry on YouTube, Carry on TikTok, Carry on OnlyFans - the mind boggles at the opportunities.
September 5, 2025 at 11:17 AM
I have a new follower on Substack. But I momentarily misread the name as "Carry on Substack".
Which took by brain into imagining Sid James, Hattie Jacques and Barbara Windsor in the attention economy...
Carry on YouTube, Carry on TikTok, Carry on OnlyFans - the mind boggles at the opportunities.
Which took by brain into imagining Sid James, Hattie Jacques and Barbara Windsor in the attention economy...
Carry on YouTube, Carry on TikTok, Carry on OnlyFans - the mind boggles at the opportunities.
The former HQ of London Transport. When built, it was the tallest building in London
September 5, 2025 at 7:56 AM
The former HQ of London Transport. When built, it was the tallest building in London
Genuinely best pies ever.
August 20, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Genuinely best pies ever.
Please, someone reassure me that we are not building the most expensive trains for the most expensive railway this country has ever seen… And building them with seats that face straight into a blank wall.
August 5, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Please, someone reassure me that we are not building the most expensive trains for the most expensive railway this country has ever seen… And building them with seats that face straight into a blank wall.
Trying to imagine telling my late dad, who was 35 at the time of the Cuban missile crisis, that America manoeuvering ships to prepare for nuclear war with Russia would be the third item on the news after car finance.
Also that it has taken that slot from the scheduling of MasterChef
Also that it has taken that slot from the scheduling of MasterChef
August 1, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Trying to imagine telling my late dad, who was 35 at the time of the Cuban missile crisis, that America manoeuvering ships to prepare for nuclear war with Russia would be the third item on the news after car finance.
Also that it has taken that slot from the scheduling of MasterChef
Also that it has taken that slot from the scheduling of MasterChef
Please, BBC, I beg you, stop it!
Some people disagreeing a scheduling decision for a cookery show on BBC 2 is *not* the third most-important thing happening in the world, after Gaza but before Ukraine.
You don't have to hate yourself. You're one of this country's greatest inventions. Backbone!
Some people disagreeing a scheduling decision for a cookery show on BBC 2 is *not* the third most-important thing happening in the world, after Gaza but before Ukraine.
You don't have to hate yourself. You're one of this country's greatest inventions. Backbone!
August 1, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Please, BBC, I beg you, stop it!
Some people disagreeing a scheduling decision for a cookery show on BBC 2 is *not* the third most-important thing happening in the world, after Gaza but before Ukraine.
You don't have to hate yourself. You're one of this country's greatest inventions. Backbone!
Some people disagreeing a scheduling decision for a cookery show on BBC 2 is *not* the third most-important thing happening in the world, after Gaza but before Ukraine.
You don't have to hate yourself. You're one of this country's greatest inventions. Backbone!
Isn't this just the most modern experience of all time?
I can't get to the paper I want because the machine is stuck verifying I'm human.
The only solution is to "send feedback".
But I don't want to send feedback - I want the paper.
I can't get to the paper I want because the machine is stuck verifying I'm human.
The only solution is to "send feedback".
But I don't want to send feedback - I want the paper.
July 30, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Isn't this just the most modern experience of all time?
I can't get to the paper I want because the machine is stuck verifying I'm human.
The only solution is to "send feedback".
But I don't want to send feedback - I want the paper.
I can't get to the paper I want because the machine is stuck verifying I'm human.
The only solution is to "send feedback".
But I don't want to send feedback - I want the paper.
Not all side projects are distractions. At Sn-ap, our CTO Martin once built an in-app game that fellow passengers could play together on the coach. No one asked him to but he loved the idea...
It was never played but that doesn't make it...
freewheelingbitesize.substack.com/p/innovation...
It was never played but that doesn't make it...
freewheelingbitesize.substack.com/p/innovation...
July 10, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Not all side projects are distractions. At Sn-ap, our CTO Martin once built an in-app game that fellow passengers could play together on the coach. No one asked him to but he loved the idea...
It was never played but that doesn't make it...
freewheelingbitesize.substack.com/p/innovation...
It was never played but that doesn't make it...
freewheelingbitesize.substack.com/p/innovation...
Can’t I just clarify this line from the FT about American government debt?
I’m not wrong, am I? This is saying that people will continue to lend to the US government because loads of other people are also doing so.
Unless I am missing something, this is literally the definition of a bubble.
I’m not wrong, am I? This is saying that people will continue to lend to the US government because loads of other people are also doing so.
Unless I am missing something, this is literally the definition of a bubble.
July 2, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Can’t I just clarify this line from the FT about American government debt?
I’m not wrong, am I? This is saying that people will continue to lend to the US government because loads of other people are also doing so.
Unless I am missing something, this is literally the definition of a bubble.
I’m not wrong, am I? This is saying that people will continue to lend to the US government because loads of other people are also doing so.
Unless I am missing something, this is literally the definition of a bubble.
Morgan McSweeney may or may not have “won them the election”, but this quote from the BBC makes that point that many including @samfr.bsky.social and @stephenkb.bsky.social have repeatedly made: Downing Street thinks the “job” is winning elections.
The reason for the rebellion was a bad policy.
The reason for the rebellion was a bad policy.
July 2, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Morgan McSweeney may or may not have “won them the election”, but this quote from the BBC makes that point that many including @samfr.bsky.social and @stephenkb.bsky.social have repeatedly made: Downing Street thinks the “job” is winning elections.
The reason for the rebellion was a bad policy.
The reason for the rebellion was a bad policy.
Today’s Freewheeling Bitesize looks at why the Avanti rail franchise got into trouble
open.substack.com/pub/freewhee...
open.substack.com/pub/freewhee...
July 1, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Today’s Freewheeling Bitesize looks at why the Avanti rail franchise got into trouble
open.substack.com/pub/freewhee...
open.substack.com/pub/freewhee...
Wake-up call for London as The Economist publishes its liveable city scores for 2025.
London is now one of the lowest in Western Europe and on a declining trend.
The good news is that there are superb projects like Strand Aldwych, Tottenham Court Road and Bank Junction - we just need more.
London is now one of the lowest in Western Europe and on a declining trend.
The good news is that there are superb projects like Strand Aldwych, Tottenham Court Road and Bank Junction - we just need more.
June 25, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Wake-up call for London as The Economist publishes its liveable city scores for 2025.
London is now one of the lowest in Western Europe and on a declining trend.
The good news is that there are superb projects like Strand Aldwych, Tottenham Court Road and Bank Junction - we just need more.
London is now one of the lowest in Western Europe and on a declining trend.
The good news is that there are superb projects like Strand Aldwych, Tottenham Court Road and Bank Junction - we just need more.
Day 2 of Freewheeling Bitesize and I'm oh-so-close to 100 subscribers.
Might you be the person who takes me into triple digits?
I'd like to promise you a champagne reception, but all I can offer is a daily email on decision-making and making organisations better.
freewheelingbitesize.substack.com
Might you be the person who takes me into triple digits?
I'd like to promise you a champagne reception, but all I can offer is a daily email on decision-making and making organisations better.
freewheelingbitesize.substack.com
June 24, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Day 2 of Freewheeling Bitesize and I'm oh-so-close to 100 subscribers.
Might you be the person who takes me into triple digits?
I'd like to promise you a champagne reception, but all I can offer is a daily email on decision-making and making organisations better.
freewheelingbitesize.substack.com
Might you be the person who takes me into triple digits?
I'd like to promise you a champagne reception, but all I can offer is a daily email on decision-making and making organisations better.
freewheelingbitesize.substack.com
My first-ever Freewheeling Bitesize post is out today!
I'll be publishing one daily from now until I run out of ideas.
Each one is an actionable idea about getting things done faster.
You'll make me happy if you subscribe. You can always change your mind. freewheelingbitesize.substack.com
I'll be publishing one daily from now until I run out of ideas.
Each one is an actionable idea about getting things done faster.
You'll make me happy if you subscribe. You can always change your mind. freewheelingbitesize.substack.com
June 23, 2025 at 11:10 AM
My first-ever Freewheeling Bitesize post is out today!
I'll be publishing one daily from now until I run out of ideas.
Each one is an actionable idea about getting things done faster.
You'll make me happy if you subscribe. You can always change your mind. freewheelingbitesize.substack.com
I'll be publishing one daily from now until I run out of ideas.
Each one is an actionable idea about getting things done faster.
You'll make me happy if you subscribe. You can always change your mind. freewheelingbitesize.substack.com
From @samfr.bsky.social’s substack.
If they do SEN reform to try to improve the system for SEN kids, they will probably save money too.
If they do SEN reform to try to save money, they will probably fail.
I fear the latter.
If they do SEN reform to try to improve the system for SEN kids, they will probably save money too.
If they do SEN reform to try to save money, they will probably fail.
I fear the latter.
June 12, 2025 at 7:58 PM
From @samfr.bsky.social’s substack.
If they do SEN reform to try to improve the system for SEN kids, they will probably save money too.
If they do SEN reform to try to save money, they will probably fail.
I fear the latter.
If they do SEN reform to try to improve the system for SEN kids, they will probably save money too.
If they do SEN reform to try to save money, they will probably fail.
I fear the latter.
Utterly baffled that Tesla worth more now than on election day. Musk has trashed its brand, sales are collapsing all over Europe, BYD has unveiled better products and the CEO has alienated most Western Govts. Yet investors consider, on balance, it is worth more now than before any of this happened.
June 6, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Utterly baffled that Tesla worth more now than on election day. Musk has trashed its brand, sales are collapsing all over Europe, BYD has unveiled better products and the CEO has alienated most Western Govts. Yet investors consider, on balance, it is worth more now than before any of this happened.