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Author Topic: Nightmare journey 6th February  (Read 8736 times)
TaplowGreen
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« on: February 07, 2016, 16:06:16 »

Sounds pretty grim, and not very well managed  http://m.plymouthherald.co.uk/Customer-condemns-rail-provider-nightmare-journey/story-28687498-detail/story.html                 
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a-driver
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« Reply #1 on: February 07, 2016, 16:35:58 »

There were passengers last night who somehow believed buses would convey them from Taunton to their final destinations and therefore refused to board buses to Exeter.
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JayMac
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« Reply #2 on: February 07, 2016, 17:00:44 »

If the words from the GWR (Great Western Railway) Spokesperson are accurately reported they need firing.

"It was beyond our help" is an atrocious response to make.

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broadgage
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« Reply #3 on: February 07, 2016, 17:23:13 »

It does sound a very poor response, but I was not there and have limited faith in the accuracy of local newspaper reports.

More facts needed to form a more informed opinion as to the adequacy or otherwise of the GWR (Great Western Railway) response.
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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard.
It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc.
A 5 car DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
TaplowGreen
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« Reply #4 on: February 07, 2016, 18:02:02 »

If you use Facebook, go onto the Heralds page & you'll find dozens of reports from customers who were involved.
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a-driver
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« Reply #5 on: February 07, 2016, 18:13:11 »

If you use Facebook, go onto the Heralds page & you'll find dozens of reports from customers who were involved.


Out of the hundreds affected there's just a handful of comments regarding last night, not all negative. 
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bobm
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« Reply #6 on: February 07, 2016, 18:17:51 »

Given the forecast overnight, I am heading up from Devon to Wiltshire tonight rather than risking it in the morning.

See how things go!
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a-driver
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« Reply #7 on: February 07, 2016, 18:32:14 »

Given the forecast overnight, I am heading up from Devon to Wiltshire tonight rather than risking it in the morning.

See how things go!

We're expecting Network Rail to impose speed restrictions throughout Devon & Cornwall tomorrow
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bobm
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« Reply #8 on: February 07, 2016, 18:34:54 »

Yes I saw that - and it was a big influence on my decision!
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plymothian
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« Reply #9 on: February 07, 2016, 22:54:17 »

When you consider all the separate incidents that cause the delay to one train, no wonder things get disjointed.

First there was the plastic sheeting on the OHLE out of PAD» (Paddington (London) - next trains) which saw all lines blocked. 
Then the fallen tree at Castle Cary which closed the line.
And finally the flooding at Hele & Bradninch which closed the line.

As the train would have to pass through all of these, and they did not happen at the same time, once you overcome one problem with contingencies, another manifests itself, which mucks up everything that you've already put in place.  RRBs (Rail Replacement Bus) and taxis are arranged for x and y, and suddenly there's a need to find for more from w to z.

And as usual no one was FORCED on to a train.
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LiskeardRich
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« Reply #10 on: February 08, 2016, 08:03:07 »

It seems the person with a taxi bill of ^170 went and got their own taxi rather than using the GWR (Great Western Railway) organised replacement service.

The GWR statement although badly worded is correct due to the delays being weather related compensation isn't available, however they said vouchers are likely. GWR are under no requirement to issue vouchers so doing more than necessary. The paper has taken a probable off the record comment to make GWR look worse,
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Timmer
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« Reply #11 on: February 08, 2016, 08:30:51 »

And as usual no one was FORCED on to a train.
Indeed, though the thought of having to pay for a hotel in London on a Saturday night not having booked in advance may be a quite a persuaive arguement to board the train. Were passengers aware at London that there were problems further down the line?
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #12 on: February 08, 2016, 12:00:29 »

And as usual no one was FORCED on to a train.
Indeed, though the thought of having to pay for a hotel in London on a Saturday night not having booked in advance may be a quite a persuaive arguement to board the train. Were passengers aware at London that there were problems further down the line?

"No-one was FORCED to board the train" is the usual line trotted out in these circumstances and/or those of extreme overcrowding - the normal desire/need of people to get home in the absence of any other means is generally overlooked, as would be the flat refusal of FGW (First Great Western) to meet the expenses of anyone who chose not to travel and booked into a hotel or sought other means of travel under the "consequential losses" catch all...............if you communicate effectively, regularly and honestly in a timely manner, managing people's expectations, then they can make an informed decision as to the best course of action. If you leave them in situations of uncertainty or concern, they will take the least worst option. Don't for one minute try to blame them for acting like humans.
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grahame
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« Reply #13 on: February 08, 2016, 12:12:09 »

..............if you communicate effectively, regularly and honestly in a timely manner, managing people's expectations, then they can make an informed decision as to the best course of action. If you leave them in situations of uncertainty or concern, they will take the least worst option.

Agreed - but I suspect that the people who should have been doing that informing were uncertain too - at least weren't aware that they were sending a train into three separate situations as they (?) probably hadn't all developed.   Crystal ball would have been useful!
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #14 on: February 08, 2016, 12:16:32 »

..............if you communicate effectively, regularly and honestly in a timely manner, managing people's expectations, then they can make an informed decision as to the best course of action. If you leave them in situations of uncertainty or concern, they will take the least worst option.

Agreed - but I suspect that the people who should have been doing that informing were uncertain too - at least weren't aware that they were sending a train into three separate situations as they (?) probably hadn't all developed.   Crystal ball would have been useful!

"At Reading, the train slowed down because of the bad weather and we were told to change as there was a train waiting to take us to Plymouth.

A man on the platform told us the train had left 20 minutes earlier and that he had been given no instructions to hold it"

-Crystal ball necessary to avoid that scenario, or just joined up communications?
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