A week in to the new timetable - review

[whole diary]

[grahame]

I'm going to post a personal "week in review" after this intro and encourage others to do the same.  But I am hoping for your sakes that you can't cap my story.

[grahame]

A week in to the new timetable.  And in the last week, 27 trains have been scheduled to call at Melksham.  That's one more train per week than we had before (a Sunday southbound for which we are very grateful - thank you FGW^▸ (First Great Western)) but we remain with all the other trains running in "marginal" time - i.e. at times that no-one else wants the trains on their line.  From Swindon at 06:18 (even earlier that before) or 18:45 (even later than before) ... and of this sparse and inappropriate service ...

** 4 were replace by buses ahead of time
** 4 more were cancelled at short notice
** 3 were short workings .... didn't make it all the way even between Swidnon and Westbury
** 2 were over half an hour late
and that's just what I know about - a number of other "no report"s.   The reporting system seems designed to work well when trains are running well, and screw up beautifully when it's most needed - at times when things are NOT running to schedule. 

During the week I have had just three customer journeys (we run a business in Melksham and pick up / drop off)  by train ...

One was half an hour late, and during my wait the information point was assuring me that there was no train expected. Top marks to the guy on the 08457 number who took down my details, made enquiries and called me back to let me know that the service would eventually turn up.

One was routed from Chippenham, change at Bath, change at Westbury into one of the two trains that had come direct from Chippenham anyway to Southampton. This seems a very odd (and awkward) ticket to sell.  I wonder WHY such a route was sold by FGW at that time of day, and why it didn't offer him a similarly good deal from Melksham.  I am assured that it is NOT because anyone is trying to drive traffic away from the line.

And the third was a few minutes late, to the extent that we wondered whether or not a quite tightconnection would make at Westbury. I was delighted to receive an email to confirm that my customer HAD made his ongoing train, so I'll leave it on that positive note.

[johoare]

I certainly cannot better (or is it worse!) that story.. However, for me,  my morning train only managed at best 20% punctuality this week. In fact it could be 0% but I didn't get it Tuesday so have no idea what it did. So the 9.03 Maidenhead to Paddington is the new 8.51 (which also never ran on time, and has since been replaced by the 9.03).

[Mookiemoo]

Refer to my early week rant regarding SDO^▸ (Selective Door Opening).

Monday I had to drive as had to pick up fro heathrow and could not have made Pad until after the last train to WOS^» (Worcester Shrub Hill - next trains).

Tuesday - hell

Wed/thur - tuesday put me off so much (Getting no sleep on the up train meant I was cream crackered all day) I worked from home wed/thur.,

Friday - SDO reversed on cotswold line and much better. Although I fear the 0545 from WOS will not remain a HST^▸ (High Speed Train) if the passenger numbers do not increase.

Want WOS crew back on the 1822 - they are more generous with the free wine than Bristol.

[devon_metro]

I havn't travelled on the new timetable yet, but I have witnessed 6 carriages of FGW^▸ (First Great Western) local stock departing from paignton in one hour (1000-1100), at the most it used to be two.

Even if they are pacers...

Between 1000 and 1100 from Paignton on Saturday (winter!) there is the:

1005 XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) service to Newcastle
1012 SW service to Waterloo
1030 GW^▸ (Great Western) service to Exmouth
1044 GW service to Exeter St D!

[Conner]

Today was awful in Cornwall!

Two HST^▸ (High Speed Train)'s from London over 30 mins late.

A 153 is now used on a 150 diagram, 10:00 Plymouth-Penzance. On 12:50 Penzance-Plymouth they were turning away at Redruth.

A 150+153 on an old 158 diagram from Bristol which was 20 late.

HST station stops take forever with SDO^▸ (Selective Door Opening) especially if they're unmanned.

Too many 150's on mainline causing luggage mayhem.

Only good point was 158762.

[TerminalJunkie]

The first four trains timetabled services from Barnstaple weren't great today either:

• 0704 cancelled (no crew), 4 taxis from Barnstaple, two from Exeter
• 0840 had been arranged as 4 coaches (there was a large party booked from Crediton to Exeter); but we got a single 142 which left with 6 standing, with a coach for those who didn't want to stand and cover intermediate stops.
• 1041 (the 06-something from Penzance) was 2x150, but one unit failed at Exeter so just a 150 left full with six standing (10 people refused to travel). Back-up coach also sent for those who didn't want to stand and for intermediate stops.
• 1241 operated as 2x142 (with two guards!) but was 20 minutes late into Barnstaple as doors had failed at Copplestone.

Having said all that the backup buses and taxis ran much more smoothly than they have in the past - we think they're being organised from Exeter now instead of Swindon - so at least someone at FGW^▸ (First Great Western) is trying...

[johoare]

Ooh, I like the idea of refusing to travel if you have to stand, and taking a coach instead.. Do you think that would work on the commuter services into London?

[Conner]

Ooh, I like the idea of refusing to travel if you have to stand, and taking a coach instead.. Do you think that would work on the commuter services into London?

Didn't wprk in Cornwall and those people couldn't get on physically.

[johoare]

Ooh, I like the idea of refusing to travel if you have to stand, and taking a coach instead.. Do you think that would work on the commuter services into London?

Didn't wprk in Cornwall and those people couldn't get on physically.

Wow.. what sort of trains do you have down there, that means six people standing is full up and no one else can get on?

[gaf71]

The first four trains timetabled services from Barnstaple weren't great today either:

• 0704 cancelled (no crew), 4 taxis from Barnstaple, two from Exeter
• 0840 had been arranged as 4 coaches (there was a large party booked from Crediton to Exeter); but we got a single 142 which left with 6 standing, with a coach for those who didn't want to stand and cover intermediate stops.
• 1041 (the 06-something from Penzance) was 2x150, but one unit failed at Exeter so just a 150 left full with six standing (10 people refused to travel). Back-up coach also sent for those who didn't want to stand and for intermediate stops.
• 1241 operated as 2x142 (with two guards!) but was 20 minutes late into Barnstaple as doors had failed at Copplestone.

Having said all that the backup buses and taxis ran much more smoothly than they have in the past - we think they're being organised from Exeter now instead of Swindon - so at least someone at FGW^▸ (First Great Western) is trying...

There are now what used to be called 'resource managers' back at Exeter, I think( but am not totally sure) on a trial period basis. I don't know what their official title is, but they are sorting out local operational problems from there. LIKE THEY ALWAYS USED TO DO UNDER WESSEX!

[devon_metro]

Wessex were based in Exeter were they not?

[Timmer]

Wessex were based in Exeter were they not?

They were indeed.

[mada]

I'm really unhappy with the new timetable when it comes to travelling back from Bristol Parkway to Highbridge in the evening. I used to have a direct service at 16:51 or 17:51. Now I have to get out of work in time to catch the 16:25 or 17:25 crosscountry train to temple meads. FGW^▸ (First Great Western) seem intent to make this journey as long as possible. One of my colleagues who I lift share with every Thursday is considering driving more than before the new timetable was implemented.

This could easily be solved if the Weston to Bristol Parkway service went all the way to Taunton in the evening the same as it does during the morning peak. 

[Conner]

Ooh, I like the idea of refusing to travel if you have to stand, and taking a coach instead.. Do you think that would work on the commuter services into London?

Didn't wprk in Cornwall and those people couldn't get on physically.

Wow.. what sort of trains do you have down there, that means six people standing is full up and no one else can get on?

It was a 153-1 car and standing throughout. Theguard had to make a couple of people get off so he could get on.