21 October 2016 - 19:03 Paddington to Penzance terminated at Reading

[whole diary]

[ellendune]

Possible issues.   It might be that the 19:05 is already stuffed with people out of Paddington.   And it might be that it's political dynamite to suggest removing a through Henley service on a Friday, even if it's going to happen anyway with Crossrail.

The Henley Branch Users Group Twitter account (@HenleyBUG) often tweets from the 19:05 as it would appear that it's quite often 3 cars instead of the scheduled 5. Indeed that appears to have been the case all this week and tonight it was "incredibly cramped on board".

So replacing it with an IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) or 387 with a stop at Twyford would provide lots of spare capacity. 

[grahame]

Observed as it pulled into Reading last night (from rear of 19:00 Bristol train on adjacent platform).   Certainly a good number of people standing (but then it was just about to stop), but not "rammed up the aisles".   Very rough guess - 120% in standard.

P.S. Bristol train was in reverse formation ... I have not come into the money 

[TaplowGreen]

I have submitted the following to GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) which I think covers most of the points we have made in the discussion and will advise when (if) I get a response;

I am writing in respect of the 1903 Paddington to Penzance service on Fridays. Rather than focus on the specific events of 21st October where the service was terminated at Reading, I would like to enquire as to what measures are being considered to mitigate the regular and extreme overcrowding which is a feature of this service every Friday, and specifically so around holiday periods. In answering my enquiry, please bear in mind that I do not wish to receive a standard cut and paste response citing new rolling stock over the next couple of years etc, I would like something addressing the issues around this service which have been ongoing for years.

1) The service is supposed to be pick up only at Reading on Fridays. Why is this not enforced and why are Reading customers allowed to board? What is being done to address this, in terms of programming the gateline and or instructing staff accordingly?

2) Why do you not use boarding management to ensure the safety and wellbeing of customers on such a service which is well known to be hideously overcrowded? (please do not cite regulations stating that there is no limit to the number of people who can be safely carried).

3) Why not make this service reservation only, with perhaps a small number of additional people being allowed to board?

4) Do you restrict the number of "cheap" Advance purchase tickets on this service? If not, why not?

5) What consideration has/is being given to removing stops at Reading and Newbury on this service on Fridays? (Bearing in mind that there are numerous alternatives)

6) Can the 1945 and/or 2035 services to Plymouth be extended to Penzance on Friday to relieve pressure on the 1903? If not, why not?

7) Where the last service of the day to Cornwall is cancelled as it was (at Reading) on the 21st October, what is your contingency plan for getting people home "Long distance"?

Finally, as an organisation committed to excellent customer service, I am sure that GWR management are actively pursuing measures to mitigate the situation on this service so please detail these if they are not covered by my questions above.

I look forward to your response.

...................no reply as yet (.....I'm sure you're all on the edge of your seats!!!  )

[grahame]

Perhaps the 19:12 (FO) from Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads could extend to Paignton.   But then how would you encourage Jo Public off the 19:03 onto the slower and later 19:12?   Taunton on the 19:03 as "pick up only" which would sure as heck upset anyone wanting to travel from Newbury to Taunton .... or a fare break on the 19:12 - but would that make financial sense to GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway), and would XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) object because of their share of revenue on Bristol - Exeter?

Forget that - around 150% off Paddington tonight on the 19:12 / people opening doors but then unable to board as departure time came. There was space in the centre of carriages, mind. Lots off  - about a third of the passengers - and a few on at Reading - down to around 110% in coaches C and D.

[John R]

That's exactly the problem isn't it. A third of the passengers travelling only for the first stop on a service that is trying to provide capacity far beyond that. Yet some people can't even get on.  The sooner we can have a few 12 car 387's soaking up the capacity to Reading the better.

[ellendune]

On Wednesday I was on the 17:42 Paddington to Cheltenham.  A peak hour service that was nicely full (No spare seats, but very few standing).  Why?  Because it was first stop Didcot!

[bobm]

Indeed - a train I will regularly head for - and it also usually goes from Platform 1 just like the Royal Train used to...

[JayMac]

Affecting a regal air there, Bob? 

[bobm]

Always had illusions of grandeur but there is something special arriving or departing from Platform 1.

[JayMac]

No gateline, or more importantly, gateline staff on P1. That's why I like it. 

[broadgage]

Always had illusions of grandeur but there is something special arriving or departing from Platform 1.

Indeed, and back in the good old days, the down Golden Hind departed from platform 1, in order that one might relax in the first class lounge, and then stroll across the platform to the door of the Pullman restaurant which was almost opposite the first class lounge.
Platform 4 latterly though

I recall the outrage one night when the Golden Hind left from a double digit platform, near the underground.

[bobm]

Closest you will usually get now broadgage is stumbling off the 12:56 Pullman from Plymouth and into the lounge - that often arrives on Platform 1.

[didcotdean]

Perhaps the 19:12 (FO) from Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads could extend to Paignton.   But then how would you encourage Jo Public off the 19:03 onto the slower and later 19:12?   Taunton on the 19:03 as "pick up only" which would sure as heck upset anyone wanting to travel from Newbury to Taunton .... or a fare break on the 19:12 - but would that make financial sense to GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway), and would XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) object because of their share of revenue on Bristol - Exeter?

Forget that - around 150% off Paddington tonight on the 19:12 / people opening doors but then unable to board as departure time came. There was space in the centre of carriages, mind. Lots off  - about a third of the passengers - and a few on at Reading - down to around 110% in coaches C and D.

I was on the 19:12 as well and it didn't seem particularly overcrowded (although there were standees) in the middle of B when leaving PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) - and probably worth mentioning for the mental picture of others that the train was in reverse formation. At least three people who did have reserved seats had sat in the wrong ones though which didn't help things around departure time as the rightful owners turned up. This didn't seem to be because of the formation as they were simple misreads of seat numbers or the wrong carriage.

One useful thing - it could be boarded well in advance.

[bobm]

From the timetable in change in December, the 18:03 London Paddington to Penzance will also call at Newbury each evening.

[TaplowGreen]

I have submitted the following to GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) which I think covers most of the points we have made in the discussion and will advise when (if) I get a response;

I am writing in respect of the 1903 Paddington to Penzance service on Fridays. Rather than focus on the specific events of 21st October where the service was terminated at Reading, I would like to enquire as to what measures are being considered to mitigate the regular and extreme overcrowding which is a feature of this service every Friday, and specifically so around holiday periods. In answering my enquiry, please bear in mind that I do not wish to receive a standard cut and paste response citing new rolling stock over the next couple of years etc, I would like something addressing the issues around this service which have been ongoing for years.

1) The service is supposed to be pick up only at Reading on Fridays. Why is this not enforced and why are Reading customers allowed to board? What is being done to address this, in terms of programming the gateline and or instructing staff accordingly?

2) Why do you not use boarding management to ensure the safety and wellbeing of customers on such a service which is well known to be hideously overcrowded? (please do not cite regulations stating that there is no limit to the number of people who can be safely carried).

3) Why not make this service reservation only, with perhaps a small number of additional people being allowed to board?

4) Do you restrict the number of "cheap" Advance purchase tickets on this service? If not, why not?

5) What consideration has/is being given to removing stops at Reading and Newbury on this service on Fridays? (Bearing in mind that there are numerous alternatives)

6) Can the 1945 and/or 2035 services to Plymouth be extended to Penzance on Friday to relieve pressure on the 1903? If not, why not?

7) Where the last service of the day to Cornwall is cancelled as it was (at Reading) on the 21st October, what is your contingency plan for getting people home "Long distance"?

Finally, as an organisation committed to excellent customer service, I am sure that GWR management are actively pursuing measures to mitigate the situation on this service so please detail these if they are not covered by my questions above.

I look forward to your response.

...................no reply as yet (.....I'm sure you're all on the edge of your seats!!!  )

.............which reminds me - 2 weeks now, still no reply.