2019 Predictions

[whole diary]

[grahame]

Can we apply for a franchise with little money in the bank, little experience and no equipment?

Plus we need to ensure that our Ts&Cs are carefully copied from a pizza delivery company...   

Many a true word spoken in jest ... I think it was the first company that ran Wales and West who - a D&B revealed - were a star up with more enthusiasm than substance.

[Richard Fairhurst]

That was Prism Rail - a bunch of bus managers. They made a very nice return by selling out to National Express after a few years: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2000/jul/19/5

MTL (Merseyrail/RRNE) was the other company that sprang to mind on CyclingSid's comment!

[patch38]

Frighteningly, the T&C comment wasn't in jest - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-46748193

[johnneyw]

Frighteningly, the T&C comment wasn't in jest - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-46748193

It really beggars belief doesn't it?  Also makes the point with CyclingSids observation about no experience or equipment. That should end up well.

[eXPassenger]

It really beggars belief doesn't it?  Also makes the point with CyclingSids observation about no experience or equipment. That should end up well.

In theory they have the experience as senior management is ex 'My Ferry' which was the successor to the failed 'Sea France'.

I am sure it will all be ready at about the time the last driver waiting at Calais dies of old age.

Seriously I hope the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) have not specified the seats or the refreshment facilities.

[TonyK]

There was a time when P&O had never operated a ship either.  So long as the crew and maintenance team know what they're doing, the rest can learn on the job. Or go bust. They aren't the only people who have been asked to work new routes, curiously avoiding France.

Thinking about other operators of transport who started from having no transport, there is at least one who went from selling records to running trains and planes, although he has a beard. Brittany Ferries, started by a pig farmer, was founded in 1972, when established operators proved reluctant to open a route from Roscoff to Plymoff. The first sailings were the following January. So it's not impossible.

My second prediction for 2019 is therefore that nothing will happen on the route between Ramsgate and Ostend, other than Mr Grayling blaming greedy sailors for putting the price up. Work to enlarge the berths at Ramsgate and dredge the channel out of the harbour will be held up by the discovery of a rare Anglo-French spotted newt colony, members of which claim asylum when spotted, claiming that they fear deportation to France because they are regarded as a delicacy there.

Go-op could maybe think about running open-access shipping, as it seems a lot quicker and easier to organise than trains.

[Electric train]

There was a time when P&O had never operated a ship either.  So long as the crew and maintenance team know what they're doing, the rest can learn on the job. Or go bust. They aren't the only people who have been asked to work new routes, curiously avoiding France.

Thinking about other operators of transport who started from having no transport, there is at least one who went from selling records to running trains and planes, although he has a beard. Brittany Ferries, started by a pig farmer, was founded in 1972, when established operators proved reluctant to open a route from Roscoff to Plymoff. The first sailings were the following January. So it's not impossible.

My second prediction for 2019 is therefore that nothing will happen on the route between Ramsgate and Ostend, other than Mr Grayling blaming greedy sailors for putting the price up. Work to enlarge the berths at Ramsgate and dredge the channel out of the harbour will be held up by the discovery of a rare Anglo-French spotted newt colony, members of which claim asylum when spotted, claiming that they fear deportation to France because they are regarded as a delicacy there.

Go-op could maybe think about running open-access shipping, as it seems a lot quicker and easier to organise than trains.

have you ever tried the roads on Isle of Thanet to escape from Ramsgate ……….. it will be bedlam with lots of HGVs and in 2020, Royal St George's are hosting the Open Golf championship; Kent CC were so concerned 3 years ago that road network in area could not stand that level; of traffic they and event organisers are investing £m's into the railway infrastructure to deter road users.

HMG and DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) have missed the window to update Dollands Moor rail freight yard, even if the work stated today it would 18 months before it would be back to capacity it was designed for 30 years ago

[TonyK]

Have you ever tried the roads on Isle of Thanet to escape from Ramsgate ……….. it will be bedlam with lots of HGVs and in 2020, Royal St George's are hosting the Open Golf championship; Kent CC were so concerned 3 years ago that road network in area could not stand that level; of traffic they and event organisers are investing £m's into the railway infrastructure to deter road users.

HMG and DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) have missed the window to update Dollands Moor rail freight yard, even if the work stated today it would 18 months before it would be back to capacity it was designed for 30 years ago

[SPOILER ALERT] Improvements to roads and railway following the success of the new ferry service will be in my predictions for 2077. [/SPOILER ALERT]

[ellendune]

The Home Secretary orders the flooding of the Channel Tunnel in order to stop Migrants.  The right wing JRM, the new trade secretary supports him on the grounds that it is no longer necessary as our major trading partner is now Eritrea to who we plan to export widgets that a mate his is developing in return for their valuable resources of premium quality sand. 

[TonyK]

The Home Secretary orders the flooding of the Channel Tunnel in order to stop Migrants.  The right wing JRM, the new trade secretary supports him on the grounds that it is no longer necessary as our major trading partner is now Eritrea to who we plan to export widgets that a mate his is developing in return for their valuable resources of premium quality sand. 

JRM? I don't think he will get as far as 2019 for quite a few months. Instead, I reckon BoJo will announce a new trade deal with the us, from his flat in New York.

[Dispatch Box]

All of the I.E.T Trains will be completely refurbished to rid them of the uncomfortable seats, that people hate.

[CMRail]

All of the I.E.T Trains will be completely refurbished to rid them of the uncomfortable seats, that people hate.

Wake up mate! 

[TonyK]

All of the I.E.T Trains will be completely refurbished to rid them of the uncomfortable seats, that people hate.

 

[Dispatch Box]

Deleted due to content.

[grahame]

All of the I.E.T Trains will be completely refurbished to rid them of the uncomfortable seats, that people hate.

Wake up mate!  ( already awake!!!!)

This is not the sort of reply any member needs to receive on this forum. What I put above, was a prediction, it could happen as I have heard from sources that some did find these seats hard, like sitting in a JCB bucket, and too wide. So it seemed to be appropriate. Also some questions on the Filton bank thread I asked, still not answered.

Ah ... I'm noting smileys and good hearted banter here - noting written too seriously or in real expectation.   When I write in the lighter side and crack the odd joke ... I do rather expect to get the same in return. 

Serious further comment - the Coffee Shop is not a customer service organisation in the traditional way and we have no guarantee to get things answered / no targets of "90% answered in 24 hours" or anything like that.  We have remarkable members who give such a high proportion of well thought and thorough answers that we often put some professional organisations to shame ...