Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[grahame]

Too many drivers -   I don't believe that !

Not too many drivers, just the wrong sort! There was a report on the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) Spotlight about the lack of female drivers. Part of that featured a lady who drives IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) now, saying what a good job it is, and that doesn't require any skill a woman can't have. Then there was an interview with a lady who was the first woman train driver in the West country. Porn stuck on her locker, sexist insults, other crews refused to work with her, and the union wouldn't do anything to help.

Comrades, actions have consequences.

If women don't apply. so be it.    Just don't discriminate against any who do.

There is an awful conundrum between making sure that the railways (and life in general) is open to everyone equally whilst not applying reverse ("positive", ha, ha) discrimination.

[TaplowGreen]

Too many drivers -   I don't believe that !

Not too many drivers, just the wrong sort! There was a report on the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) Spotlight about the lack of female drivers. Part of that featured a lady who drives IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) now, saying what a good job it is, and that doesn't require any skill a woman can't have. Then there was an interview with a lady who was the first woman train driver in the West country. Porn stuck on her locker, sexist insults, other crews refused to work with her, and the union wouldn't do anything to help.

Comrades, actions have consequences.

If women don't apply. so be it.    Just don't discriminate against any who do.

There is an awful conundrum between making sure that the railways (and life in general) is open to everyone equally whilst not applying reverse ("positive", ha, ha) discrimination.

A balanced workforce is in everyone's interest in every sector, although some struggle with it far more than others due to a prehistoric culture. Positive action can help to achieve this without resorting to positive discrimination

We've got 2 female electricians and another working her way through an apprenticeship - they're an asset to the Business in all sorts of ways and enable us to deliver a much better service to our customers but you'd have struggled to find many as recently as 10 years ago.

[TonyK]

A balanced workforce is in everyone's interest in every sector, although some struggle with it far more than others due to a prehistoric culture. Positive action can help to achieve this without resorting to positive discrimination

We've got 2 female electricians and another working her way through an apprenticeship - they're an asset to the Business in all sorts of ways and enable us to deliver a much better service to our customers but you'd have struggled to find many as recently as 10 years ago.

I couldn't agree more. I can think of no trade where a woman could not do the job if she wanted to and trained. They are turning out pretty good at football too.

[TaplowGreen]

Today's "Sunday Special" cancellations so far...............and the sun is shining!

10:37 London Paddington to Cheltenham Spa due 12:45
13:46 Cheltenham Spa to London Paddington due 15:53
15:07 London Paddington to Bedwyn due 16:28
16:42 London Paddington to Cheltenham Spa due 18:47
16:54 Bedwyn to London Paddington due 18:15
17:55 Penzance to Plymouth due 19:55
18:49 London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill due 21:09
19:07 London Paddington to Bedwyn due 20:26
19:46 Cheltenham Spa to London Paddington due 21:54
20:54 Bedwyn to London Paddington due 22:15
21:15 London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads due 22:48

[GBM]

Today's "Sunday Special" cancellations so far...............and the sun is shining!

Er. It certainly ain't down yer! 

[IndustryInsider]

Looks to be about 20% of the HSS^▸ (High Speed Services) cancellations figure we saw on the same weekend last year.  However, given the number of additional services GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) are planning to run next year, will be we back to square one in 2020?

[TaplowGreen]

Looks to be about 20% of the HSS^▸ (High Speed Services) cancellations figure we saw on the same weekend last year.  However, given the number of additional services GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) are planning to run next year, will be we back to square one in 2020?

It's incumbent on Management to get a grip on the situation.

Using last year as a benchmark to suggest a huge improvement is a bit of a false flag because last summer was an unmitigated disaster on Sundays, pretty much anything would be better and we are creeping back to dozens of long distance Sunday cancellations and/or others being drastically foreshortened.

I note we have the added "bonus" today of catering also being virtually wiped out on the Paddington-Penzance route because of (you've guessed it) staff shortages.

I'd be really interested in GWR's recovery plan for this ongoing situation - does anyone know? Did the MD mention it at the recent Community Rail conference which many Forum members attended?

This is one of the main reasons why the car/road will always win out.

[Incider]

It just beggars belief that the Sunday working situation has been allowed to go on so long, many other grades have been restructured with Sunday’s in the working week.  Even if a few years ago they had issued new Drivers with contracts including Sunday’s they would be addressing the situation, I can think of no other industry that would put up with an essential part of it not being available by choice.

[IndustryInsider]

From what I hear it is management side that have been stalling a little on Sunday in the working week talks, rather than the Unions.

[TaplowGreen]

From what I hear it is management side that have been stalling a little on Sunday in the working week talks, rather than the Unions.

Wouldn't surprise me.

Always easier to let the customers suffer rather than put the hand in the pocket, especially when there's no direct competition to worry about.

[TaplowGreen]

Cancellations to services between Bourne End and Marlow


Due to a shortage of train crew between Bourne End and Marlow the line is closed.
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled or revised. Marlow will not be served. Disruption is expected until 21:00 03/07.

[NickB]

Perhaps drivers have been diverted from the Marlow branch to the Henley branch (similar class of engine?) to cover Henley Regatta.

[IndustryInsider]

It was a guard shortage rather than a driver shortage.

[TaplowGreen]

Numerous cancellations/alterations again today due to crew shortage. We're not into the school holidays or even the weekend yet so it doesn't bode well. Anyone "on the inside" have an explanation or is it because the sun's out?

[bradshaw]

It is becoming a feature of SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) as well as their journey Check shows.