I find that a shotgun is very effective against corvids, A direct hit kills them, and even a miss scares them away.

Yes but it is rather a fine distinction for the average TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) publicity department. And of course sometimes they ARE (very slightly) different. "Our trains have a custom designed, cheerful interior" just don't mention seats, or catering.

"Channel fogbound, ferries and planes at a standstill. Europe isolated" Said to be an old newspaper headline.

I suspect that the term "IET" is more widely used and understood than some suggest. Much easier than saying "those new trains with hard seats and no* catering"
The GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) IETs in particular have had a lot of bad press regarding short formations, seating and no catering* Look on trip advisor and similar review sites it is not just me who considers them to be a backward step.
It is therefore understandable that other operators dont wish to admit that their new trains are similar.

*Yes I know that there is sometimes a trolley, but it is so often in the other portion, static, hiding in first, or entirely absent, that the general perception is that "IETs dont have catering"

Perhaps the title "biggest infrastructure project in Europe" is to prepare us for when the cost escalates to such a degree that it BECOMES the biggest infrastructure project in Europe, at least in terms of cost.

I expect that the Paris project will also increase in cost, but not as rapidly as Crossrail, so Crossrail could overtake it.

I suspect that "IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train)" has become a somewhat toxic brand.
Hence other operators of what is indeed largely the same train wish to call it something else.

A comparison might be with HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) when these were in more widespread use. They were generally liked and invariably known as HSTs, no matter where used or whom operated them.

IETs however have become linked in many peoples minds with a lower quality product, hence the desire to call them something else.

I presume that the purpose of the survey is to further downgrade the catering on "some" services.
It would not be to bring back buffets, as GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) have already said no way to that.
It would not be to introduce hot food, a brief trial of that produced the expected result that it was not worthwhile.

Prior to the pandemic GWR showed a distinct lack of interest in the trolley service, with no trolley service "at present", trolley in other portion, trolley hiding in first class, trolley static, or no trolley on board at all being frequent.
The logical next step is to remove it entirely from "some" services.

Yes, but there is not much catering to discuss !

Yes it sounds like a rickshaw.
There is a plague of these in London, hated by licensed taxi drivers and by many other road users.
They have a very poor reputation WRT^▸ (with regard to ) to road safety, overcharging, and allegedly assaulting lady passengers.
There was a fashion for fitting electric motors and rendering them faster and even less safe.

I only ever used one once, too far to walk, and no proper taxis to be had. I was rather concerned that the scrawny youth might expire whilst conveying me.

Despite these negative views, I see a future for electrically assisted rickshaws. They would need some form of inspection and licensing if carrying fare paying passengers. (I am in favour of the absolute minimum of regulation of E-bikes, E-scooters, and similar lightweight electric vehicles for private use. More regulation would be needed for "hire and reward")

BTW^▸ (by the way), when I was working in London, a rickshaw entered the private car park one night, and the rider and passenger performed a sexual act on the contraption. A the crucial moment it turned turtle.
The persons involved presumably believed that darkness gave at least partial privacy. The CCTV^▸ (Closed Circuit Tele Vision) used good low light cameras. The film was considered hugely entertaining and was widely circulated.

Strike bruvvers, strike !
"we deserve at least a 50% pay increase"

I am not convinced that children should get free travel, they have to pay in most places other than London.
Neither in my view do they need driving to school. Walking, cycling, and use of paid for public transport are reasonable alternatives in most cases in London.

"These seats were ergonomically designed by a panel of experts so as to be comfortable for the great majority of passengers. They are also safer than older designs. Unfortunately some of these seats have been damaged by people sticking pins into them."

They were fine before being punctured by pins.

I was not proposing that electric vehicles should be permitted to park in places currently prohibited. The regulations are indeed existing for a reason, even if widely flouted.
What I suggest is that of the currently permitted parking places, that those nearest the school gates be reserved for electric vehicles. No increase in spaces, but reserving the most favoured spots for EVs.

The spikes sound entertaining, but might not prove entirely practical.

I expect car use and numbers of cars to halve in certain areas that are well provided with public transport and in which parking is hugely costly.
Supermarket home delivery services will reduce the number of older drivers, a lot of whom drive primarily for shopping. Whilst todays generation of older drivers might be a bit reluctant to use on line ordering, many middle aged people already use this service will probably continue as they get older.
But nationally I agree that a halving is unlikely.

Broadgage has a most cynical proposal to increase the use of electric cars. Many parents are utterly desperate to park as close as possible to the school gates, sometimes resorting to punch ups to achieve this. And many such parents know that the highway code does not apply to the school run. (zig zag road markings mean "school set down and pick up zone")

I would therefore reserve those parking places nearest to the school for electric cars only. Show what a good parent you are by parking 10 meters closer.

Two reasons, HST power cars are available now and at modest cost. Something new might take years to design, and then fail to meet expectations regarding reliability.