Rugby World Cup - underestimated number of fans

[whole diary]

[ChrisB]

Difference being of course is that for the RWC, the stadium can be a 'neutral' venue, with *both* sets of fans possibly travelling long distances. Otherwise, Wales are usually playing and a majority of fabs must travel from within the Principality, and thus not on FGW^▸ (First Great Western). So many more are likely to have been travelling than a 'usual' gamecat the stadium

[Bob_Blakey]

There are 3 games at Exeter, all of which are sell out crowds- Sandy Park has had its capacity increased for the world cup, so will be numbers that wont have been experienced in Exeter previously.

Not quite right. The capacity at Sandy Park was increased to the current 12500 during the last Premiership season and there were a few (3, IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly)) sellout attendances. I am hoping the train service will cope OK especially given the newly introduced 'advice' that fans travelling from/to the Exmouth direction must use Newcourt while those from/to Exeter should travel via Digby & Sowton. The associated posters imply this is actually a mandatory instruction and that staff will be present to enforce the rules.

[LiskeardRich]

Of course the public think a train company has a magic cupboard that they can pull lots of trains from at times of major events.

3 extra hsts from Pad on top of the hourly Swanseas and 3 extra loco hauled services from Pad, and an extra hourly service from Bristol. Also I see the 10:15 from Pad to Cheltenham was diverted to Cardiff as well. So there certainly was a lot more running to Cardiff than normal.

Looks like FirstGW really did have a magic cupboard today. 3 extra IC125 services I can understand since the weekend timetable doesn't have the 2tph to Cardiff (one of which continues to Swansea) suggesting some sets are available at weekends (and it isn't summer so those sets aren't working summer Saturday extras) but where did they find extra 'west fleet' units for extra Bristol-Cardiff services?

Where was the LHCS^▸ (Locomotive Hauled Coaching Stock) sourced from and what 'flavour' was it?

I wouldn't want to make an assumption but I noticed on the journey updates yesterday a couple of full diagrams after lunchtime which would have been unit operated in Devon and Cornwall were cancelled due to "broken down trains". I would normally expect a spare set to come and replace after one journey, but the entire day was cancelled, so either the spare sets went to Bristol Cardiff or the broken down trains weren't broken down and in fact went to Bristol and Cardiff for the day.

[John R]

Difference being of course is that for the RWC, the stadium can be a 'neutral' venue, with *both* sets of fans possibly travelling long distances. Otherwise, Wales are usually playing and a majority of fabs must travel from within the Principality, and thus not on FGW^▸ (First Great Western). So many more are likely to have been travelling than a 'usual' gamecat the stadium

That's exactly the problem they had when Team GB^▸ (Great Britain) played at the Millennium in 2012.

[didcotdean]

I believe fans buying tickets from the RWC Official were advised to travel outside 'peak demand' hours when purchasing and were also invited/required to enter in their travel plans. The Fanfests are open to anyone which can alter numbers travelling.

The official RWC guidance related to Cardiff goes a bit further than this, suggesting people consider travelling the day before and / or the day afterwards.

Even though this was at a weekend, it seems relatively few may acted on this suggestion.

There was also a recommendation to travel from the West Midlands by coach.

An 8pm KO will have rather less recovery time after the match.

[Timmer]

I believe fans buying tickets from the RWC Official were advised to travel outside 'peak demand' hours when purchasing and were also invited/required to enter in their travel plans. The Fanfests are open to anyone which can alter numbers travelling.

The official RWC guidance related to Cardiff goes a bit further than this, suggesting people consider travelling the day before and / or the day afterwards.

Even though this was at a weekend, it seems relatively few may acted on this suggestion.

With the prices hotels are charging at or near the venues hosting RWC matches, I'm not surprised few took up the suggestion.

[LiskeardRich]

I just looked at this out of interest. I won't name the hotel, but the hotel in Cardiff I paid ^35 a night a month or so ago is Charging ^250 a night either side of World Cup games

[didcotdean]

What can't be easily found is how much early lots of rooms sold for - but it is hardly likely that they were at the regular price ...

[grahame]

I just looked at this out of interest. I won't name the hotel, but the hotel in Cardiff I paid ^35 a night a month or so ago is Charging ^250 a night either side of World Cup games

Common practise around a major event (sporting or political)- at times when I've happened to be working near to an event, it's been hard to find somewhere to stay that hasn't rocketed prices like this.  Sometimes the price rises only occur quite close to the venue, and a local train journey away accommodation may be available uninflated.

[BBM]

It looks like HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) are being used today for extras from BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) to CDF^» (Cardiff - next trains), e.g:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/V92267/2015/09/20/advanced

[LiskeardRich]

Wales vs Uruguay today at millennium stadium so should be kind of more like they expect for a Welsh game today. ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) being more Impacted

[John R]

Sadly the connections from the Weston-super-Mare line are pretty poor today, so for once I'm going to drive.

[LiskeardRich]

I've read again people being unable to board at Bristol Parkway. I'm not familiar with Bristol Parkway but I assume its got plenty of parking near the motorway as certainly seems to be a popular choice for boarding to get into Cardiff.

[The Tall Controller]

Bording at BPW^» (Bristol Parkway - next trains) has traditionally been difficult on event days at the stadium. Doesn't matter whos playing.

[LiskeardRich]

The M4 was reportedly at a standstill and failing to cope with volume of traffic as well