Ho, ho, ho!š š¼ It's Christmas! Well, almost - and once again time for families everywhere to gather around their televisions to sob over Love Actually or play highly competitive games of charades. Since our festive musings were a hit over the past few years (2023, 2022), we thought, why not once again lend a helping hand to the friends, family, and long-suffering loved ones of Transport Planners with their Christmas shopping! Yes,weāve compiled another list of top-notch transport-themed Christmas gifts. š
Because, letās face it, the Transport Planner in your life has had a hard year. One morning they might have woken up to the joyous news that HS2 was back on the menu, only to find it cancelled again before theyād finished their tea. The first Labour budget was another glimmer of hope - like the hint of snow on Christmas Eve - but alas, for the majority of Transport Planners, the continued freeze on fuel duty felt less like a gift and more like the proverbial lump of coal. This Christmas, you can break the spell of disappointment, and so, without further adoā¦
Podarisā top Christmas gift choices for the Transport Planner/Enthusiast in your life
Wear Your Passion š
Why blend in when you can proudly wear your obsession with public transport? This Christmas, give the gift of sartorial brilliance - whether itās a scarf covered in tram lines, socks that scream āI heart busesā, or a hat branding your favourite metro line (which one of our resident Transport Planners, Beth, can perfectly attest to as she reps Bostonās T hat when out and about in London). Great for sparking conversations with fellow transport enthusiasts (or scaring off anyone who doesnāt share your timetable obsession).
In a growing trend, more and more US transit agencies have winter merchandise, so find your favourite network to represent! We're not sure if this is a innovative Travel Demand Management strategy or a depressingly new way to make up for funding gaps…
- Boston MBTA hats
- TfL Jumper
- MTA Maryland Sweater
- CTA Sweater - It lights up!!
- MTA (Ugly) Jumper
- BART Sweater
Junxions Game š®
For those obsessed with modelling and simulations, you can now take on the ultimate challenge of traffic management with Junxions! This comprehensive simulation and management game allows you to finally be able to solve the problem of gridlock once and for all (no pressure). Create huge intersections and manage endless streams of traffic.
Junxions is available to get on the Steam Platform as of early 2025.
Transit Maps of the World: Every Urban Train Map on Earth Book š
We started the year by quizzing TRB attendees about different transit maps, so what better way to brush up on your knowledge than Mark Ovendenās book that explores the history of networks, features rare and historic maps and logs all of the transit maps of the world.
UK Train Departures Board š
For those that can't get enough of trains, this nifty departures board featuring live train updates, lets you bring the station experience home - minus the delays (hopefully). You can customise it to show your favourite stations fortrains, buses,,trams, or the Tube. It even announces the departures! Who needs TV when you can watch your commute play out in real-time?
Personalised Metro Mug āļø
We all know thereās a sustainable transport revolution brewing. Nothing says ādedicated transport enthusiastā like sipping from a personal transport-themed mug. Forget boring office cups, the creative minds at MarbecVillage let you customise your mug with iconic metro maps until your hearts content. Tube maps, or even a network of your favourite pubs - the possibilities are endless!
Mini customisable Lego š“š»āāļø
After a visit to Arupās new Birmingham Office recently where they have a dedicated Lego room, word on the block is: Transport Planners LOVE lego - who knew? So to that end, why not create a mini of your loved one adorning their high-vis for site visits, or perhaps wearing their cycling clad for a weekend tootle?
And if you're looking for a way to beat the January blues, why not reach out to us to catch up on your latest projects, and see how Podaris can help you in 2025!!