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Artwork for Elfonomics - with Elf Lyons and Dr Gerard Lyons
Elfonomics - with Elf Lyons and Dr Gerard Lyons · Aug 22, 2025 · 42 min

Why are the trains so sh*t?

Elf and her dad take on one of Britain’s favourite grumbles:the railways. Are they really as bad as we think? In this episode, they dive into how the system was privatised, the bonkers ticket pricing maze, and just how much of the bill taxpayers are actually footing. Why are Japanese trains sogood? But it’s not all doom and diesel fumes—expect pigeons, cats, bats (yes, bats), and a few surprises along the way. All aboard!

0:00-42:24

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Elf and her dad take on one of Britain’s favourite grumbles:the railways. Are they really as bad as we think? In this episode, they dive into how the system was privatised, the bonkers ticket pricing maze, and just how much of the bill taxpayers are actually footing. Why are Japanese trains sogood? But it’s not all doom and diesel fumes—expect pigeons, cats, bats (yes, bats), and a few surprises along the way. All aboard!

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