200 new coaches to be brought forward

[whole diary]

[smithy]

First class as well?

i would say with the extra car it would allow for some first class space there would certainly be a call for it and it would be a money earner for first.

[Btline]

No thanks, lets maximise seats, BIKE SPACE and luggage space.

[devon_metro]

(if we presume that customers would travel regardless)

Bikes contribute to the railway ^0
Luggage contributes to the railway ^0
First Class customers and the prestige of having a First Class railway bring many ^

A no brainer.

[Btline]

Yes, from FGW^▸ (First Great Western) point of view - First class is good.

But from the point of view of most commuters- they want as many 2nd seats as possible.

A commuter with a bike wants space.

A family with luggage want space.

I suppose it would only be in the peak, that seats need to be maxed.

[Timmer]

There are those who travel on this line that would like to be able to travel first class but this is currently limited to the few SWT^▸ (South West Trains) services that run between Bristol-Salisbury. (Waterloo services)

I believe that in a four car set everyone can be catered for, those with bikes, luggage and those who want to travel first class.

[John R]

A commuter with a bike wants space.

But is not prepared to pay for it....
 
Commuters without bikes are non too keen when those with muddy bikes get on, take space for 3 commuters and then soil the clothes of those having the misfortune to have to stand next to them.

It's particularly galling when you can't even get on the train and there are several cyclists occupying spaces which you could be using.

I was very disappointed when Wessex caved in to the vocal minority of cyclists a few years ago following their publicity campaign. If anyone with influence in FGW^▸ (First Great Western) is reading this, please take note, I doubt I am a lone voice in this. 

[Timmer]

I was very disappointed when Wessex caved in to the vocal minority of cyclists a few years ago following their publicity campaign. If anyone with influence in FGW^▸ (First Great Western) is reading this, please take note, I doubt I am a lone voice in this. 

I very much doubt you are a lone voice on this as well which leads me nicely onto another thing that makes loco and coaches an ideal alternative to DMUs^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) - a guards van with plenty of space for bikes...and luggage! 

[smithy]

No thanks, lets maximise seats, BIKE SPACE and luggage space.

personally i would prefer first class to bike space,but as said a four car could cater for all in terms of bike,luggage and first class space. in my opinion not having first class on the core west route that would most certainly get used would be a waste as it would generate some serious revenue.

[Timmer]

personally i would prefer first class to bike space,but as said a four car could cater for all in terms of bike,luggage and first class space. in my opinion not having first class on the core west route that would most certainly get used would be a waste as it would generate some serious revenue.

I think that bringing first class back to the Cardiff-Portsmouth line would possibly attract business passengers travelling say between Cardiff-Bristol/Bath, Bristol-Southampton/Bournemouth etc.

[tramway]

First Class, possibly if they sorted out the schedule, plus enforcing a strict bike booking procedure and then it might work.

SWT^▸ (South West Trains) prove it can work running a full 3 car 159 to BTM^▸ (Bristol Temple Meads (strictly, it should be BRI)) fast from Salisbury in the morning peak, just waiting for FGW^▸ (First Great Western) to catch up.

[vacman]

Bikes should just be banned from trains! you got a bike? then ride the F*ckin thing! all they do is cause a safety hazard when they can't be bothered to walk down to the TGS to put them where they're supposed to go and then moan when you ask them to move!

[eightf48544]

Bikes should just be banned from trains! you got a bike? then ride the F*ckin thing! all they do is cause a safety hazard when they can't be bothered to walk down to the TGS to put them where they're supposed to go and then moan when you ask them to move!

I can understand your problem with bikes, but it's not the bikes that's the problem but the design of the train where brake van space has been sacrificed for seats and shorter untis.

Bike train bike is probaly one of the most environmentaly friendly ways of travelling any distance and as such ought to be encouraged. Bike provison can be made on both buses and trains. Go to Rugen and you have buses some with bike racks on the back and some with towed trailers. Plus the narrow gauge railway (steam) has a bike van on every train.

DB^» (Deutsche Bahn - German State Railway - about) IC^▸ (Inter City) DVTs^‡(resolve) have 30  bike spaces which can be reserved plus seating for the riders and a smashing view of the railway out of the cab.

Bikes (plus wheelchairs, prams and pushchairs) and trains should be complementary and form part of the public transport mix.

(if we presume that customers would travel regardless)

Bikes contribute to the railway ^0
Luggage contributes to the railway ^0
First Class customers and the prestige of having a First Class railway bring many ^

A no brainer.

(if we presume that customers would travel regardless) which is quite a big assumption the problem is with he "bean counters" who can only see the direct costs of adequate luggage bike etc, provision but not the enviromental benefits, and the "health and happiness" factors of travel by train. 

I sure even you vacman would be happy with a proper space for bikes on trains. But first class luggage and bike space requires longer trains. Back to loco hauled.

There is a very interesting BTF film from the 50s of a rail/bike excursion from Euston to Rugby. Something like 200 riders and their bikes had a day out in the Waarwickshire countryside from Rugby station. Trouble is theren't many BGs^▸ (Brake Gangway (carriage)) lefts.

[super tm]

Bikes and peak commuter traffic dont mix.  If you do put more bike spaces then you will lose seats so less people can travel.  At peak time the best thing is to have one bike at your starting station and one at the end.  Many people do this just look at the bike racks at Paddington by platform 8. 

Off peaks trains and holiday times when you are taking your bike to different places, where you can book ahead are OK.

[Tim]

.  At peak time the best thing is to have one bike at your starting station and one at the end. 

And if a TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) has decided to ban bikes then it has a responsibility (including a responsibility to its shareholders not to turn away fare paying passengers who happen to have bikes) to enourage this sort of thing with better secure storage and perhaps bike hire.

[Btline]

Bikes should just be banned from trains! you got a bike? then ride the thing! all they do is cause a safety hazard when they can't be bothered to walk down to the TGS to put them where they're supposed to go and then moan when you ask them to move!

I too get annoyed when bikes are not put in the right place - but it takes pressure of car parks, is good for the nations health and for congestion.