Northern Rail - ongoing issues (merged posts)

[whole diary]

[broadgage]

I can confirm that the NHS still uses fax machines, for confirming delivery and secure storage of controlled drugs, and probably for other purposes.
During a recent hospital visit, there was a panic when a bulk supply of controlled drugs were found to be missing. A trainee had locked them in a safe intended for patients valuables, rather than in the proper place. A trail of faxes confirmed the facts.

[grahame]

From the Manchester Evening News

Northern's train woes won't be fixed until 2027, rail operator warns

Train cancellations have come down but rail bosses admit it's still 'not good enough' - and it will take as long as three years to fix

But bosses have warned that, even with this [union] agreement in place, Northern won't meet its 'ambitious' targets until 2027. It comes as the operator sets out its plan to cut cancellations to 2 per cent with 90 per cent of services arriving no more than three minutes late.

[snip]

Speaking at the Rail North Committee on Wednesday (November 20), Northern's chief operating officer Matt Rice said the operator will need 'big timetable changes' to meet its target, suggesting there could be a reduction in services as soon as next month. He said: "Giving customers a predictable offering I think is more important than trying to give them something that might be an aspiration."

Mr Rice told the committee, which is chaired by Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, that if union members vote against a new deal relating to train conductors working on Sundays, the operator will aim to give passengers up to four weeks' notice about any changes to services over the Christmas period. It comes as Northern aims to notify passengers of cancellations further in advance.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Hmm. 

The poll is somewhat skewed, in that it's asking in 'this year'. Bearing in mind that we're already nearly into December of 'this year', there's clearly no way that's going to happen.

I'd suggest changing the first two options to, respectively, '2025', '2026' ... 

CfN. 

[Timmer]

This!

Speaking at the Rail North Committee on Wednesday (November 20), Northern's chief operating officer Matt Rice said the operator will need 'big timetable changes' to meet its target, suggesting there could be a reduction in services as soon as next month. He said: "Giving customers a predictable offering I think is more important than trying to give them something that might be an aspiration."

Christmas is fast approaching, and if the last few months are anything to go by GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) haven’t got a hope of being able to run the planned timetable over the Christmas and New Year period. It’s not too late to revise the timetable to give passengers more certainty.

I know, dream on…it won’t happen.

[grahame]

Hmm. 

The poll is somewhat skewed, in that it's asking in 'this year'. Bearing in mind that we're already nearly into December of 'this year', there's clearly no way that's going to happen.

I'd suggest changing the first two options to, respectively, '2025', '2026' ... 

CfN. 

I *did* wonder ... but people have started to vote.   I'm thinking to leave it alone - unlike the other poll that's running at the moment, I'm not thinking that the outcome of this one will be triggering an email to GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway).

[Timmer]

I guess GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway)’s ‘current’ woes could be fixed this year if it and the government agree on operating a reduced but more robust timetable before the year’s out. GWR must know what they can and can’t realistically run. My gosh, they’ve got decades of experience of never running a full timetable, particularly at weekends to look back on. Long term fix you are looking at least two years away.

[eightonedee]

Is the correct answer "Never" because the franchise/operating contract will end before all the issues GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) faces (Old Oak blockade, rolling stock shortage, employment issues, partial electrification, etc, etc) are resolved?

It's tempting to be cynical and say that DfT^» (Department for Transport - about), the Government, ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) and GBR^▸ (Great British Railways) may have no great incentive to address any matters in their control until the succeeding arrangements are in place so that they can demonstrate that the new order has achieved something?

[Chris from Nailsea]

I have voted - but I'm apparently in a significant minority. 

CfN. 

[broadgage]

I was going to vote "after the war" but that option was not listed.

[grahame]

It's tempting to be cynical and say that DfT^» (Department for Transport - about), the Government, ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) and GBR^▸ (Great British Railways) may have no great incentive to address any matters in their control until the succeeding arrangements are in place so that they can demonstrate that the new order has achieved something?

Indeed - and that matter - and also the idea of GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway)'s parent First looking to maximise income over expenditure in the shorter term rather than acting as guardians for passengers and the future has also been raised.  But I have the indication that the GWR folks are rail at heart, will be TUPEd over, and don't want to cross over with such a record.

[TaplowGreen]

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq525jvxng2o

.....not a very Merry Christmas in store for their customers!