Bicycles on trains - new policy from May?

[whole diary]

[Bmblbzzz]

Though the introduction of the IEPs^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.), meaning no more walking from carriage to guards van, should reduce bike-loading induced delays too.

[Richard Fairhurst]

When the Cotswold Line had an assistant guard on every HST^▸ (High Speed Train), they were usually based out of the little room between the bike storage and seating in Carriage A, and would let cyclists through the passage into the main carriage, which saved time. There was one particular guard who would also let non-cycling passengers off via this exit on arrival at Paddington - very welcome in the morning rush!

[Bmblbzzz]

Apparently it was "GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) customer service," whoever that means, that told him the new policy was to reduce delays.

[Bmblbzzz]

Whatever the reason, it's interesting that GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) are giving multiple versions.

[ChrisB]

That'll be included of course, but the main reason is that the IEPs^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) are different to the HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) in that bikes can *only* be carried in the reserved spaces, totally limiting them to that number, whereas HSTs can take as many as can fit in the space available (subject to train manager permission) regardless of actual stated limit.

Thus customers are being softly introduced to the new limitation, prior to IEP introduction

[John R]

There's nothing stopping someone from getting reservations on 2 services if they have a season ticket. Just expect a lot of wasted tickets!

That will very quickly result in some sort of clamp down. Why should you be able to reserve a space on two services when you quite clearly will only use one of them?

[LiskeardRich]

The new policy doesn't seem to be fully enforced, with still the "if there is space" discretion being shown at some locations.

[plymothian]

You will find a lot of policies being ignored, just due to the hassle that the poor staff member will get over it; things such as:

- only 2 bikes on DMUs^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit)
- scooters must have a permit
- only 2xSDS to next station can be sold if boarding at a penalty fare station
- being told to buy on the train full stop
- buggies and prams should be folded
- UPFNs^▸ (Un Paid Fare Notice (used on XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)))) for "customers" who cannot prove/buy a ticket
- use of e-cigs

and as the train cannot be delayed for these - then what's the point in arguing?  Especially as people who do it regularly know.

[TaplowGreen]

You will find a lot of policies being ignored, just due to the hassle that the poor staff member will get over it; things such as:

- only 2 bikes on DMUs^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit)
- scooters must have a permit
- only 2xSDS to next station can be sold if boarding at a penalty fare station
- being told to buy on the train full stop
- buggies and prams should be folded
- UPFNs^▸ (Un Paid Fare Notice (used on XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)))) for "customers" who cannot prove/buy a ticket
- use of e-cigs

and as the train cannot be delayed for these - then what's the point in arguing?  Especially as people who do it regularly know.

You seem to be suggesting that people are allowed to do pretty much whatever they want, because the "poor staff member" can't be bothered to have difficult conversations?

[IndustryInsider]

You seem to be suggesting that people are allowed to do pretty much whatever they want, because the "poor staff member" can't be bothered to have difficult conversations?

Or the staff member doesn't want to cause avoidable delay to the train, or risk putting their own safety in jeopardy, arguing the toss with someone over something pretty unimportant - thus minimising inconvenience to the other passengers.

[TaplowGreen]

You seem to be suggesting that people are allowed to do pretty much whatever they want, because the "poor staff member" can't be bothered to have difficult conversations?

Or the staff member doesn't want to cause avoidable delay to the train, or risk putting their own safety in jeopardy, arguing the toss with someone over something pretty unimportant - thus minimising inconvenience to the other passengers.

That's quite a telling and compelling message to send to anyone who wants to break the rules.

[IndustryInsider]

As with everything in life, TG, it's a trade-off.  Some members of staff stick rigidly to 'the rules' - they are often the ones castigated for not using their discretion (sometimes by posters on here) and are often the ones that always seem to be the names that crop up when you hear someone has been assaulted.  Then there's others that go too far the other way and do anything for an easy life. 

Then there's the majority who tend to get the balance just about right and won't challenge a group of youths smoking e-cigarettes on an empty late night train, or won't worry too much if a young mother is only travelling one stop and hasn't folded her buggy, but will do their best to make sure everyone has a ticket and all other policies are followed as closely as possible within reason.

[TaplowGreen]

As with everything in life, TG, it's a trade-off.  Some members of staff stick rigidly to 'the rules' - they are often the ones castigated for not using their discretion (sometimes by posters on here) and are often the ones that always seem to be the names that crop up when you hear someone has been assaulted.  Then there's others that go too far the other way and do anything for an easy life. 

Then there's the majority who tend to get the balance just about right and won't challenge a group of youths smoking e-cigarettes on an empty late night train, or won't worry too much if a young mother is only travelling one stop and hasn't folded her buggy, but will do their best to make sure everyone has a ticket and all other policies are followed as closely as possible within reason.

Thanks - that's a much more measured explanation 

[Bmblbzzz]

That'll be included of course, but the main reason is that the IEPs^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) are different to the HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) in that bikes can *only* be carried in the reserved spaces, totally limiting them to that number, whereas HSTs can take as many as can fit in the space available (subject to train manager permission) regardless of actual stated limit.

Thus customers are being softly introduced to the new limitation, prior to IEP introduction

So TMs^‡(resolve) have authority to allow more than 6 bikes on an HST? I didn't know that.

[plymothian]

Yes, just like conductors have the discretion to allow more than 2 bikes on a DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit); but this is not a right for the passenger, and if a passenger is refused access they need to accept that.