Are we fully back?

[whole diary]

[grahame]

From Rail Advent

During the month of April, national rail passenger figures reached a record for post-Covid with a daily average of 98.3%.

The figures were published by the Department of Transport (DfT^» (Department for Transport - about)) last Wednesday, 10th May. They also showed that on 14 days in April, passenger figures were at 101% to 106%, pre-Covid, and on only four days, which were the first four days of the month, were they less than 90% (88%).

Are we, really, fully back

We have lost some things ... should we be looking for them back, or has this been a correct opportunity to refactor?
* Though daytime trains from Bradford-on-Avon and Trowbridge to London
* Counter service from a fixed location of coffees and snacks on long distance services
* Services that are not subject to near-total cancellation a couple of days each month due to industrial disputes

[ChrisB]

It’ll be interesting to see what the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) allows TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) to reinstate (Chiltern’s increases in both services & seats for example) and what they don’t (causing regular overcrowding)

[Electric train]

Some of the cuts / reductions imposed by DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) to reduce costs may never come back or if they do it may have to wait post 2024 GE

Of course the recovery post Covid may highlight new and or different service patterns

[grahame]

Of course the recovery post Covid may highlight new and or different service patterns

That is utterly true - "Train Back Better"? - though not the alliteration ring of "Bus Back Better"

I am not shedding tears for the 06:37 Paddington to Plymouth super fast, preferring the 06:00 which serves intermediate stations too ...

[TaplowGreen]

Of course the recovery post Covid may highlight new and or different service patterns

Indeed - the fact that despite the rise in passenger numbers, revenue is only at 90% of pre COVID levels would very much support that - more leisure travel perhaps, but less business travel which generated more revenue?

[IndustryInsider]

Incredible figures, given that there's been:

* A change in commuting habits.
* A cost of living crisis.
* The ongoing industrial action.
* Some operators not returning to pre-Covid levels of service off-peak.
* Widespread cancellations for certain operators.

The DfT^» (Department for Transport - about)'s response:

Let's get rid of a load of stock to cut costs.

[ellendune]

Incredible figures, given that there's been:

* A change in commuting habits.
* A cost of living crisis.
* The ongoing industrial action.
* Some operators not returning to pre-Covid levels of service off-peak.
* Widespread cancellations for certain operators.

The DfT^» (Department for Transport - about)'s response:

Let's get rid of a load of stock to cut costs.

Yes because our politicians have never run any proper business and don't have the first clue how to.  Think about Jacob Rees-Mogg's protestations that working from home means laziness and other general attacks on civil service staff.  Also his recent claim that he could do the work of sorting through thousands of pieces of EU^» (European Union - about) legislation in a weekend.  They are just delusional amateurs.  Why would you expect them to be able to run anything.

Cutting costs regardless of the needs of the business is the mantra of fund managers (which is where many of them previously made their fortunes) who impose this on hapless businesses as condition for continuing to support the managers of business.  It is basically asset stripping the business to make the figure look good for a fire sale. 

Sorry rant over

[Electric train]

Incredible figures, given that there's been:

* A change in commuting habits.
* A cost of living crisis.
* The ongoing industrial action.
* Some operators not returning to pre-Covid levels of service off-peak.
* Widespread cancellations for certain operators.

The DfT^» (Department for Transport - about)'s response:

Let's get rid of a load of stock to cut costs.

Yes because our politicians have never run any proper business and don't have the first clue how to.  Think about Jacob Rees-Mogg's protestations that working from home means laziness and other general attacks on civil service staff.  Also his recent claim that he could do the work of sorting through thousands of pieces of EU^» (European Union - about) legislation in a weekend.  They are just delusional amateurs.  Why would you expect them to be able to run anything.

Cutting costs regardless of the needs of the business is the mantra of fund managers (which is where many of them previously made their fortunes) who impose this on hapless businesses as condition for continuing to support the managers of business.  It is basically asset stripping the business to make the figure look good for a fire sale. 

Sorry rant over

We must not loose sight of the 2024 GE and the current ruling party wanting to buy back voters with tax cuts ............... they need money in the bank, to do that cut public services 

[ellendune]

Incredible figures, given that there's been:

* A change in commuting habits.
* A cost of living crisis.
* The ongoing industrial action.
* Some operators not returning to pre-Covid levels of service off-peak.
* Widespread cancellations for certain operators.

The DfT^» (Department for Transport - about)'s response:

Let's get rid of a load of stock to cut costs.

Yes because our politicians have never run any proper business and don't have the first clue how to.  Think about Jacob Rees-Mogg's protestations that working from home means laziness and other general attacks on civil service staff.  Also his recent claim that he could do the work of sorting through thousands of pieces of EU^» (European Union - about) legislation in a weekend.  They are just delusional amateurs.  Why would you expect them to be able to run anything.

Cutting costs regardless of the needs of the business is the mantra of fund managers (which is where many of them previously made their fortunes) who impose this on hapless businesses as condition for continuing to support the managers of business.  It is basically asset stripping the business to make the figure look good for a fire sale. 

Sorry rant over

We must not loose sight of the 2024 GE and the current ruling party wanting to buy back voters with tax cuts ............... they need money in the bank, to do that cut public services 

Precisely! Asset stripping the business country for a fire sale in 2024.  All they know how to do.

[Electric train]

Incredible figures, given that there's been:

* A change in commuting habits.
* A cost of living crisis.
* The ongoing industrial action.
* Some operators not returning to pre-Covid levels of service off-peak.
* Widespread cancellations for certain operators.

The DfT^» (Department for Transport - about)'s response:

Let's get rid of a load of stock to cut costs.

Yes because our politicians have never run any proper business and don't have the first clue how to.  Think about Jacob Rees-Mogg's protestations that working from home means laziness and other general attacks on civil service staff.  Also his recent claim that he could do the work of sorting through thousands of pieces of EU^» (European Union - about) legislation in a weekend.  They are just delusional amateurs.  Why would you expect them to be able to run anything.

Cutting costs regardless of the needs of the business is the mantra of fund managers (which is where many of them previously made their fortunes) who impose this on hapless businesses as condition for continuing to support the managers of business.  It is basically asset stripping the business to make the figure look good for a fire sale. 

Sorry rant over

We must not loose sight of the 2024 GE and the current ruling party wanting to buy back voters with tax cuts ............... they need money in the bank, to do that cut public services 

Precisely! Asset stripping the business country for a fire sale in 2024.  All they know how to do.

They have already sold the family silver in the privatisations of the 80's and 90's

[TaplowGreen]

Incredible figures, given that there's been:

* A change in commuting habits.
* A cost of living crisis.
* The ongoing industrial action.
* Some operators not returning to pre-Covid levels of service off-peak.
* Widespread cancellations for certain operators.

The DfT^» (Department for Transport - about)'s response:

Let's get rid of a load of stock to cut costs.

Yes because our politicians have never run any proper business and don't have the first clue how to.  Think about Jacob Rees-Mogg's protestations that working from home means laziness and other general attacks on civil service staff.  Also his recent claim that he could do the work of sorting through thousands of pieces of EU^» (European Union - about) legislation in a weekend.  They are just delusional amateurs.  Why would you expect them to be able to run anything.

Cutting costs regardless of the needs of the business is the mantra of fund managers (which is where many of them previously made their fortunes) who impose this on hapless businesses as condition for continuing to support the managers of business.  It is basically asset stripping the business to make the figure look good for a fire sale. 

Sorry rant over

Leaving the political/ideological rhetoric to one side, if the railway was being truly run in accordance with "the needs of the business" one of the first things to be done would be to cut costs by closing the majority of ticket offices to reflect the shift in customer behaviour to online/automated transactions, in much the same way as High Street Banks are disappearing in smaller towns, which ironically is what the Government is seeking, but is being resisted at every step by the Trade Unions.

One should sometimes be careful what one wishes for 

[JayMac]

Leaving the political/ideological rhetoric to one side...

<snip>

... which ironically is what the Government is seeking, but is being resisted at every step by the Trade Unions.

Isn't that a political/ideological viewpoint too?

[TaplowGreen]

Leaving the political/ideological rhetoric to one side...

<snip>

... which ironically is what the Government is seeking, but is being resisted at every step by the Trade Unions.

Isn't that a political/ideological viewpoint too?

I think it pretty objectively reflects the position of both sides quite accurately on this issue but I'm happy to be corrected if that isn't the case and its inaccurate?

[IndustryInsider]

Leaving the political/ideological rhetoric to one side, if the railway was being truly run in accordance with "the needs of the business" one of the first things to be done would be to cut costs by closing the majority of ticket offices to reflect the shift in customer behaviour to online/automated transactions, in much the same way as High Street Banks are disappearing in smaller towns, which ironically is what the Government is seeking, but is being resisted at every step by the Trade Unions.

It would be helpful if the government/DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) were clear on how many ticket offices they plan to close.  Is it all of them?  Is it the large majority (90+%)?  Is it a small majority (60%)?

[ellendune]

Leaving the political/ideological rhetoric to one side, if the railway was being truly run in accordance with "the needs of the business" one of the first things to be done would be to cut costs by closing the majority of ticket offices to reflect the shift in customer behaviour to online/automated transactions, in much the same way as High Street Banks are disappearing in smaller towns, which ironically is what the Government is seeking, but is being resisted at every step by the Trade Unions.

One should sometimes be careful what one wishes for 

But High Street Bank branch closures are not actually meeting the needs of customers.  Therefore they are not meeting the needs of the business.  Small businesses and others who need to bank cash now have to travel miles to do this.  I bank with one of the big four banks and I am fortunate that I have a branch within 3 miles, but the next nearest branches are 15 to 20 miles away.  There is much talk of banking hubs to provide for customers needs, but there are none anywhere I have been.  I can pay in a cheque using the app up to a certain value, but beyond that I need to find a branch.  

Similarly stations need staff who can sort ticket problems out as well as provide a presence.  Time and again on this board we have criticised the limitations of TVMs^▸ (Ticket Vending Machine) but there is no attempt to make them any better. They have reduce the number of machines at Swindon recently. Buying on-line is ok but for complex journeys it is still no substitute for the expertise of an experience ticket office person.  What about those who are not on-line and even those who only use cash?