IETs into passenger service from 16 Oct 2017 and subsequent performance issues

[whole diary]

[broadgage]

The two remaining sets to enter traffic can’t come soon enough!  The diesel only list had shrunk to just three yesterday mind you.

Hopefully that will help, but talk about jam tomorrow !
Why were a couple or more HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) not retained until all the IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) were working ? (they could have locked the buffets out of use to manage expectations re the new trains)

As many members will recall I forecast regular short formations, basing this not on any detailed analysis but simply on experience of other new trains.
Networkers replaced slam door EMUs^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit) in South East London, old trains 8 car, new trains mixed 4 car and 6 car formations.
Class 159s replaced loco hauled trains Waterloo/Exeter. Old trains 8 car, new trains 3 car.
Voyagers replaced HSTs and loco hauled trains. Old trains 7 or 8 car, new trains 4 or 5 car.

Experts assured me that this time would be different, and better.

And look what has happened ! just like previous new rolling stock, shorter if not permanently at least for the first couple of years.
I have recently met on a social basis, a couple of local political figures both of whom have expressed very negative views about the new trains.
They have previously expressed such views, contacted GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) and received the standard re-assurances that it would soon get better.
One politician in particular expressed great concerns for the damage done to the west country tourist industry by the well reported cases of people standing for hours on the new shorter trains. "It was bad last summer and has got worse this summer"

Such "nasty, short, uncomfortable trains" will not encourage holidays in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom). After two summers of poor service, how many holidaymakers will risk a third attempt ? Better to fly abroad.

[IndustryInsider]

Another good question for Mark Hopwood to answer when he does his live chat on here, Broadgage?

[grahame]

Another good question for Mark Hopwood to answer when he does his live chat on here, Broadgage?

I do hope the questions are being forwarded to Chris from Nailsea

[bradshaw]

From Twitter

Scenes tonight at Hitachi Rail's North Pole depot in Acton, west London tonight as ISS Cleaners for @GWRHelp hi-speed trains take strike action over threat to impose 61 days additional shifts per year for no extra pay.

Photos at
https://twitter.com/alexgordon4me/status/1148699974252879872?s=21

[Chris from Nailsea]

Another good question for Mark Hopwood to answer when he does his live chat on here, Broadgage?

I do hope the questions are being forwarded to Chris from Nailsea

Yes they are, thank you - I'm already dealing with a tsunami effect in my personal messages! 

Obviously we will need to distil all of those questions down into six topics which even Mark Hopwood can reasonably be expected to deal with, in our one hour session. 

[broadgage]

Another good question for Mark Hopwood to answer when he does his live chat on here, Broadgage?

I do hope the questions are being forwarded to Chris from Nailsea

Yes they are, thank you - I'm already dealing with a tsunami effect in my personal messages! 

Obviously we will need to distil all of those questions down into six topics which even Mark Hopwood can reasonably be expected to deal with, in our one hour session. 

When distilling the numerous questions down to a relatively small number of topics, I would respectfully urge an EXCEEDINGLY careful choice of words so as to minimise the amount of "wiggle room" whereby Mr Hopwood could make a carefully worded reply that evades the actual question.

Example a complaint about regular short formed IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) could be answered by a standard reply along the lines of "we are actively working with our industry partners and suppliers to reduce the number of short formations" Which does not really say anything.
A better wording might be "why are HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) not being hired or chartered to cover for non availability of IETs ? numerous HSTs are stored at ABC and at XYZ, and the owners of these assets would no doubt wish to achieve an income from them."

And as regards catering, any vague or general complaint about the trolley service, would be easily answered by a standard reply like "we are actively seeking to recruit and train more customer hosts to improve the service"
A better question might be "why have you routinely failed to provide the advertised service, as promised by Ben Rule. GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) have had years to recruit and train the staff for this "
Or perhaps "as trolley catering has been a failure (list the failings thereof) are you going to bring back a proper buffet"

[Chris from Nailsea]

Whoah, broadgage!  I'm dealing with it! 

[broadgage]

Whoah, broadgage!  I'm dealing with it! 

Good, many thanks for your efforts over this.

[a-driver]

The two remaining sets to enter traffic can’t come soon enough!  The diesel only list had shrunk to just three yesterday mind you.

Hopefully that will help, but talk about jam tomorrow !
Why were a couple or more HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) not retained until all the IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) were working ? (they could have locked the buffets out of use to manage expectations re the new trains)

The DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) said no to retaining a couple of HSTs. 
Changing the seats on the 800’s, the DfT said no, weren’t even allowed buffets on the 802’s.
You can see why private companies are walking away from rail franchises. If you were First, you’d walk away from the franchise owing to the mess created by the DfT.  Its down to the First Group that the situation isn’t worse, for instance the 2+4 sets where a GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) idea to cover the chronic shortage of units owing to the botched electrification and units being promised to other TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company).

[Timmer]

Why have a go at Mark Hopwood/GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) regarding IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train)?
It’s Dft you should be aiming your fire at. These trains are their brainchild.

[grahame]

Why have a go at Mark Hopwood/GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) regarding IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train)?
It’s Dft you should be aiming your fire at. These trains are their brainchild.

Only a small proportion of us passengers are informed - and then in a way coloured by how we read data and who's talking to us - as to how and where various decisions have come about.   We're also coloured in our view of how we rate outcomes and responsibilities.

"Meet the Managing Director" will be an opportunity to ask about the choice, specification and entry into service of these trains, how the service will continue and steps to ensure it works as "best service" forward.  I will leave it for Mark in due course to answer should a question along these lines come out of the melting pot for 5th August; I would be very surprised if it doesn't.  Although I personally feel sufficiently informed on what has gone and probably wouldn't ask, many others don't know / don't feel they know (and with some emotion on social media) and it would be excellent to get an answer for them with a question along the lines at the start of this paragraph. How much that satisfies - well - let's see.

[sikejsudjek3]

It must be costing business - anecdotally I won't bother using the train now for holidays nor will my parents. Too often stuck on overcrowded trains with nowhere to put luggage, air con broken, toilets broken, reservations not working etc. etc. Nationalisation can't come soon enough IMO^▸ (in my opinion). This is a total shambles.

[TonyK]

It must be costing business - anecdotally I won't bother using the train now for holidays nor will my parents. Too often stuck on overcrowded trains with nowhere to put luggage, air con broken, toilets broken, reservations not working etc. etc. Nationalisation can't come soon enough IMO^▸ (in my opinion). This is a total shambles.

I use the train for any trip where it is economically preferable, and will continue to do so. But I probably won't be going on holiday to the south-west in August by rail, partly because I know what you mean about what it's like to be on an overcrowded train with a young family, and partly because I live there. As to nationalisation, if the major part of the problem is the level of service or type of vehicle, both of which were dictated by Government and administered by DfT^» (Department for Transport - about), then I fail to see how also having the train driven and the trolley hidden in first class by civil servants is going to do much to improve matters.

[Adelante_CCT]

Some unhappy commuters today:
https://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/updates-gwr-runs-shorter-trains-16553205

And again today
https://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/live-gwr-passengers-face-packed-16560024

I find this part funny:

There are shorter trains than usual for the second day on the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) mainline from Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington

A bit more than just a second day!

[broadgage]

It must be costing business - anecdotally I won't bother using the train now for holidays nor will my parents. Too often stuck on overcrowded trains with nowhere to put luggage, air con broken, toilets broken, reservations not working etc. etc. Nationalisation can't come soon enough IMO^▸ (in my opinion). This is a total shambles.

I do not believe that nationalisation is the answer for the reasons already given. Other than that I agree.