Markonthemaps (Mark Ovenden)
@markonthemaps.bsky.social
🌈 Author, broadcaster and lecturer in design, cartography, typography and architecture around public transport. Partner of ND 🌈♾️ person. Pro-Transit 🚆 🚃 🚋 🚟🚌 and ‘in transit’ from X as @markovenden.
Red sky in the morning and all that - now where did I leave those darn sheep? And why aren’t they pluralised with an ‘s’ at the end like most other self respecting nouns?
January 11, 2026 at 7:58 AM
Red sky in the morning and all that - now where did I leave those darn sheep? And why aren’t they pluralised with an ‘s’ at the end like most other self respecting nouns?
#Motorway Service Stations, #HolidayCamps, Train Platforms, the #Underground ...these are spaces we take for granted - but as #DavidLawrence reveals they have all be carefully crafted. Hear from a Doctor who knows...and one with a mercurial Pirate past too! www.vectisradio.com/podcasts/cat...
January 9, 2026 at 5:03 PM
#Motorway Service Stations, #HolidayCamps, Train Platforms, the #Underground ...these are spaces we take for granted - but as #DavidLawrence reveals they have all be carefully crafted. Hear from a Doctor who knows...and one with a mercurial Pirate past too! www.vectisradio.com/podcasts/cat...
Pink leotards, draughty halls and ‘Wheels Cha Cha’ on the Dansette…fond memories of mum taking me to her ‘ #KeepFit’ classes in the late 1960s (in this anniversary week of her passing a few years ago). Did you ever go to one of these? youtu.be/qW6jQSbDHs4?...
Music: youtu.be/HfvZkMUGrzU?...
Music: youtu.be/HfvZkMUGrzU?...
1960s Women's Exercise Class, Stretching
YouTube video by Kinolibrary
youtu.be
January 9, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Pink leotards, draughty halls and ‘Wheels Cha Cha’ on the Dansette…fond memories of mum taking me to her ‘ #KeepFit’ classes in the late 1960s (in this anniversary week of her passing a few years ago). Did you ever go to one of these? youtu.be/qW6jQSbDHs4?...
Music: youtu.be/HfvZkMUGrzU?...
Music: youtu.be/HfvZkMUGrzU?...
Here's some good news for LGBTQI+ community: @mayorofgm.bsky.social #AndyBurnham doing correct thing again: petertatchellfoundation.org/andy-burnham... But tireless campaigner @petertatchell.bsky.social right to insist #GreaterManchesterPolice also step up and issue apology for historic #homophobia.
Andy Burnham apologises for Manchester police homophobia - Peter Tatchell Foundation
But the Chief Constable, Stephen Watson, refuses to say sorry
petertatchellfoundation.org
January 8, 2026 at 9:33 AM
Here's some good news for LGBTQI+ community: @mayorofgm.bsky.social #AndyBurnham doing correct thing again: petertatchellfoundation.org/andy-burnham... But tireless campaigner @petertatchell.bsky.social right to insist #GreaterManchesterPolice also step up and issue apology for historic #homophobia.
Sharing this without comment but if you want to read about the the methodology click @brenttoderian.bsky.social for that.
According to this ranking, Canada’s reputation has improved since 2024. We are now the 2nd most reputable country in the world.
The United States has dropped from 30th to 48th in that same year, the biggest drop of any nation BY FAR. Its reputation-peers are now Kuwait, Algeria, Kazakhstan…
The United States has dropped from 30th to 48th in that same year, the biggest drop of any nation BY FAR. Its reputation-peers are now Kuwait, Algeria, Kazakhstan…
January 8, 2026 at 8:04 AM
Sharing this without comment but if you want to read about the the methodology click @brenttoderian.bsky.social for that.
Was just remembering this wonderful poster from London Underground 100 years ago when I spotted Matt Brown's excellent post on it. Do delve in. Fascinating! open.substack.com/pub/londonis...
January 7, 2026 at 12:09 PM
Was just remembering this wonderful poster from London Underground 100 years ago when I spotted Matt Brown's excellent post on it. Do delve in. Fascinating! open.substack.com/pub/londonis...
Can public transport be beautiful? Daniel Wright claims it certainly can! From architecture to typefaces, posters to tickets...the & good design of buses, stations, trains, ferries & airports is discussed here (www.vectisradio.com/podcasts/cat...) & on Daniel's great blog: thebeautyoftransport.com
January 3, 2026 at 10:59 AM
Can public transport be beautiful? Daniel Wright claims it certainly can! From architecture to typefaces, posters to tickets...the & good design of buses, stations, trains, ferries & airports is discussed here (www.vectisradio.com/podcasts/cat...) & on Daniel's great blog: thebeautyoftransport.com
« Since 2016, contractors have siphoned over £1.6bn out of our railway, including £152m in the last year alone ». Bring it in house and stop squandering public money on lining « the pockets of hedge funds and private equity firms ».
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
UK government should end rail outsourcing ‘racket’, says union
RMT estimates six cleaning, security and catering suppliers made £150m profits last year
www.theguardian.com
January 2, 2026 at 8:06 AM
« Since 2016, contractors have siphoned over £1.6bn out of our railway, including £152m in the last year alone ». Bring it in house and stop squandering public money on lining « the pockets of hedge funds and private equity firms ».
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Great way to start a new year: a Mayor who takes #public #transit seriously!
The swearing-in taking place in one of the city’s coolest locations pays tribute to the important role of the #Subway in NYC’s development.
www.cnn.com/2026/01/01/p...
The swearing-in taking place in one of the city’s coolest locations pays tribute to the important role of the #Subway in NYC’s development.
www.cnn.com/2026/01/01/p...
January 1, 2026 at 10:33 AM
Great way to start a new year: a Mayor who takes #public #transit seriously!
The swearing-in taking place in one of the city’s coolest locations pays tribute to the important role of the #Subway in NYC’s development.
www.cnn.com/2026/01/01/p...
The swearing-in taking place in one of the city’s coolest locations pays tribute to the important role of the #Subway in NYC’s development.
www.cnn.com/2026/01/01/p...
Crikey: end of an era as #MTV channels all closed down yesterday. Now first in the EPG is #Clubland and its sister NOW channels (which I spent several years happily working for). Also worked for MTV for a bit too so: mixed feelings. Odd to see just 8 music channels when there used to be over 20!
December 31, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Say NO to #UK being pressured into accepting chicken washed in bleach. 38d.gs/cc-df
Sign the petition to keep chlorine-washed chicken off our shelves
Here we go again. Trump has told the UK that if we want a UK-US tech deal, we need to buy chlorinated chicken from the US! 🤢🐔 How dare he try to impose poor food standards in Britain. Sign the petitio...
38d.gs
December 30, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Say NO to #UK being pressured into accepting chicken washed in bleach. 38d.gs/cc-df
Been seeing occasional roadside #daffodils #IsleOfWight for about 3 weeks but managed to photograph some yesterday. Not a world record, but interesting to see so many blooming in December? Have you spotted many? (Mine were beside a field of #Alpaca. No relation between the two. Or is there?!) lol
December 30, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Been seeing occasional roadside #daffodils #IsleOfWight for about 3 weeks but managed to photograph some yesterday. Not a world record, but interesting to see so many blooming in December? Have you spotted many? (Mine were beside a field of #Alpaca. No relation between the two. Or is there?!) lol
Just occasionally while you’re despairing about the state of #humanity comes some incredible news about how extremely clever people are making a difference. If this proves a viable treatment it would be a huge breakthrough:
December 29, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Just occasionally while you’re despairing about the state of #humanity comes some incredible news about how extremely clever people are making a difference. If this proves a viable treatment it would be a huge breakthrough:
How to do #HighSpeed #rail in #Europe and build growth into the #economy by serving your provinces. A lesson for the #UK? Discuss!
December 27, 2025 at 8:35 AM
How to do #HighSpeed #rail in #Europe and build growth into the #economy by serving your provinces. A lesson for the #UK? Discuss!
But wealth redistribution is regarded as somehow evil. Explain?!
Thinking this is wrong isn’t radical.
Thinking it isn’t is.
Thinking it isn’t is.
December 26, 2025 at 8:14 AM
But wealth redistribution is regarded as somehow evil. Explain?!
May peace and compassion for all spread out from this special day to all and forever.
(And maybe some seasonal sunshine too)!
(And maybe some seasonal sunshine too)!
December 25, 2025 at 1:38 PM
May peace and compassion for all spread out from this special day to all and forever.
(And maybe some seasonal sunshine too)!
(And maybe some seasonal sunshine too)!
Britain (and Labour, incredibly) cancelling #transport schemes outside the capital is a national obsession. Leading to our provincial cities being among least productive in #Europe. How does the #Chancellor sleep whilst « delaying » this in her own constituency? www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Britain’s cities are desperate for better transport. Why is Westminster derailing our plans in Leeds? | Thomas Forth
A long-promised tram network has been pushed back to the late 2030s – unless we build local, northern growth will be snuffed out, says Thomas Forth, co-founder of tech firm The Data City
www.theguardian.com
December 24, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Britain (and Labour, incredibly) cancelling #transport schemes outside the capital is a national obsession. Leading to our provincial cities being among least productive in #Europe. How does the #Chancellor sleep whilst « delaying » this in her own constituency? www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Animals all around the country are being killed using catapults that have been easily bought in shops and online. We need to ban the sale of catapults to those under the age of 18 to stop these horrific killings. Add your name now: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/en...
Ban the sale of catapults to people under the age of 18 NOW
No more animals should have to suffer from this cruelty.
you.38degrees.org.uk
December 22, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Animals all around the country are being killed using catapults that have been easily bought in shops and online. We need to ban the sale of catapults to those under the age of 18 to stop these horrific killings. Add your name now: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/en...
Jonathan Gullis, The Seagull's Lament
A New Yorker Profile
substack.com
December 22, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Still flowering on the shortest day of the year: alstroemeria, carnation, and a rose.
December 21, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Still flowering on the shortest day of the year: alstroemeria, carnation, and a rose.
Enough said:
In 1970 the UK and Norway were roughly equal, almost no debt, and owned all their Public Services.
Now the UK owns nothing and has £3tn of debt.
While Norway still owns everything and has the equivalent of £10tn.
That's how privatisation 'works'.
Now the UK owns nothing and has £3tn of debt.
While Norway still owns everything and has the equivalent of £10tn.
That's how privatisation 'works'.
December 20, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Enough said:
From transport to concerts, sports to art shows, 20th Century posters have become collectors items. Do you have one rolled up in the loft? Former museum curator and collector David Bownes explains why 20thCentury Posters are all the rage! Listen here from 6pm: www.vectisradio.com/podcasts/cat...
CATCH-cast
Mark Explores the history of Travel on The Isle of Wight
www.vectisradio.com
December 19, 2025 at 5:36 PM
From transport to concerts, sports to art shows, 20th Century posters have become collectors items. Do you have one rolled up in the loft? Former museum curator and collector David Bownes explains why 20thCentury Posters are all the rage! Listen here from 6pm: www.vectisradio.com/podcasts/cat...
Please show this to any friends and family contemplating this dreadful man and all his company (ReFuk) represent. It's a clear and present danger to Britain. Pass this on.
December 18, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Please show this to any friends and family contemplating this dreadful man and all his company (ReFuk) represent. It's a clear and present danger to Britain. Pass this on.
Bad news for #transit. The ridiculously long overdue #WestYorkshire #masstransit system has been delayed. Again. Condemning Leeds/Bradford to be eternally Europe’s largest conurbation without a decent #rail based mass transit system, & proving #UK cannot deliver major infrastructure quickly. Shame.
'Business Case and Planning can't be developed in tandem because that might speed things up a bit'
www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/2570586...
www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/2570586...
First trams between Bradford and Leeds not expected until late 2030s
THE long-planned tram system between Bradford and Leeds will not start running until the late 2030s – it has been revealed.
www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk
December 18, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Bad news for #transit. The ridiculously long overdue #WestYorkshire #masstransit system has been delayed. Again. Condemning Leeds/Bradford to be eternally Europe’s largest conurbation without a decent #rail based mass transit system, & proving #UK cannot deliver major infrastructure quickly. Shame.