TravelWatch SouthWest, Taunton, 8th October

[whole diary]

[grahame]

Also, as a long-standing (albeit intermittent, due to prior work commitments!) attendee at such meetings, I'm slightly concerned that I haven't received any invitation to this particular meeting. 

It's a nightmare job for the secretary to keep up with who's around - in some groups, members change even quicker than rail ministers!     I've emailed a copy of my invite / bcc'd the meeting secretary.

[broadgage]

I hope to be there, please keep a look out as I am so small and insignificant as to be easily overlooked.
Expect to be wearing black shoes, black trousers and a maroon sweatshirt.
Will probably be with a friend who works in the rail industry.

Hopefully others will be there ?

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thanks for that, grahame. 

The TravelWatch SouthWest meeting secretary has contacted me to apologise for previously getting my e-mail address wrong: all is now sorted, she is very much forgiven, and I'm looking forward to seeing you all at the meeting. 

[Chris from Nailsea]

I hope to be there, please keep a look out as I am so small and insignificant as to be easily overlooked.

 

[ChrisB]

Agenda now on the website.

Other than item 2, which I'd very much like to hear (can someone take detailed notes on the increase in number of seats *and* how they are going to find them!), I have to unfortunately be in Shrewsbury. My apologies that I won't be partaking afterwards.

[Adelante_CCT]

Other than item 2, which I'd very much like to hear (can someone take detailed notes on the increase in number of seats *and* how they are going to find them!

For the XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) direct award, I believe the 'additional' seats are coming from utilising the HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) more, currently only 2/3 are used on a weekday out of the 5 sets they have, and possibly getting hold of the two spare voyager driving cars that were split up some years ago.

[grahame]

Agenda now on the website.

1100   Chair’s Welcome and Introductions and Report
1115   Presentation:   XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) Direct Award  CrossCountry, Head of Communications, Richard Gibson,
1145   Presentation:     Go South Coast, Managing Director Andrew Wickham
1215   Presentation: “Funding the Future: A County Council Perspective”, Damien Jones, Devon County Council
1245   'Just a Minute'
1255   Lunch
   
1340   Welcome back
1345   Workshop: "South West Transport SWOT"  All, TravelWatch SouthWest   
1430   News: SELCA; Ludgershall; Chris Loder SWT^▸ (South West Trains) Timetabling and Questions
1455   Closing Remarks
1500   Close

[paul7575]

For the XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) direct award, I believe the 'additional' seats are coming from utilising the HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) more, currently only 2/3 are used on a weekday out of the 5 sets they have, and possibly getting hold of the two spare voyager driving cars that were split up some years ago.

Converting 2 x 5 car trains into 3 x 4 car trains by using the spare driving cars is a confirmed fact, there's a XC staff brief video doing the rounds that explains it:  

https://vimeo.com/184808769/cd57418360

At 1m 40s he refers to the spare Voyager end cars.
At 2m 02s he refers to higher HST utilisation.

Of course as has been discussed in a number of places, the headline 39,000 seats per year is a trivial number expressed per weekday...

Paul

[JayMac]

Of course as has been discussed in a number of places, the headline 39,000 seats per year is a trivial number expressed per weekday...

But less trivial when you understand the additional seats are not spread across the weekday, but targeted at specific peak services where the additional capacity is most needed.

[paul7575]

Of course as has been discussed in a number of places, the headline 39,000 seats per year is a trivial number expressed per weekday...

But less trivial when you understand the additional seats are not spread across the weekday, but targeted at specific peak services where the additional capacity is needed.

I understand that, but remain fairly sure that the reason for expressing it as 39,000 per annum is done because it sounds much better.   There have been other similar DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) announcements in the past that have been expressed in seats per week or per month.   They say whatever suits them best on the day...

Paul

[trainer]

I noticed that in the video linked above we are told that they are addressing the issue of 'crowding'.  That perhaps sounds better than 'overcrowding'.  A crowded train may simply be very full or indeed completely full. That is acceptable in a cost conscious industry. The problem most people have is overcrowding where there is hardly room to stand or move around.

I'm pleased that Andy Cooper finds more 4 coach trains more flexible that fewer 5 coach trains. The passenger arriving for a currently busy 5 car service with reduced capacity may not be as sanguine knowing someone else has the benefit of 'their' coach. On the other hand an 8 coach train would of course be a winner...until you find you're in the wrong unit for your destination.  But that's another discussion and not unique to XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)).

[ChrisB]

Yes, you & I have read that at the same place, but there's no confirmation anywhere. Removing 2 5car voyagers will cause serious overcrowding on those services that use them currently.

[trainer]

Yes, you & I have read that at the same place, but there's no confirmation anywhere.

I heard it from his own mouth in the video link above put up by Adelante_CCT.

[Adelante_CCT]

Yes, you & I have read that at the same place, but there's no confirmation anywhere.

I heard it from his own mouth in the video link above put up by Adelante_CCT.

I don't mind taking credit for Paul's work 

[grahame]

4 coach trains ... 5 coach trains ... 5 car service ... an 8 coach train ...

Good heavens ... can't recall seeing them exceed 2 except at times of duress at my local station ...