Keynsham station (merged topics)

[whole diary]

[billyo]

Yep - same at Keynsham - from ^1 to ^2.10, defeats the object if more than half the people stop paying.  I did this morning because I was running late.  I shall leave early tomorrow and park on the street.

[Phil]

Yep - same at Keynsham - from ^1 to ^2.10, defeats the object if more than half the people stop paying.  I did this morning because I was running late.  I shall leave early tomorrow and park on the street.

I know what you mean, but the sad fact is - the authorities aren't stupid. They will have factored into their charging strategy the fact that there will be a sharp dip immediately after the increase, and then give it a few weeks (or even a spell of wet weather) and usage will soon be back to normal, but with far more money coming in.

Anyone know if the Chippenham Station Car Park #1 rate has gone up again from ^4.70 a day?

[devon_metro]

APCOA^▸ (Car parking company used at GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) - controlled stations in the area) (?) set the prices for fgw stations as far as i'm aware. However yes, they are trying to boost revenue!

[JayMac]

Yep - same at Keynsham - from ^1 to ^2.10, defeats the object if more than half the people stop paying.  I did this morning because I was running late.  I shall leave early tomorrow and park on the street.

I know what you mean, but the sad fact is - the authorities aren't stupid. They will have factored into their charging strategy the fact that there will be a sharp dip immediately after the increase, and then give it a few weeks (or even a spell of wet weather) and usage will soon be back to normal, but with far more money coming in.

Anyone know if the Chippenham Station Car Park #1 rate has gone up again from ^4.70 a day?

Both Chippenham car parks are now ^6.50 (^5.90 RingGo) per day. All FGW^▸ (First Great Western)'s car park daily rates can be found here:-

http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=2329

[JayMac]

APCOA^▸ (Car parking company used at GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) - controlled stations in the area) (?) set the prices for fgw stations as far as i'm aware. However yes, they are trying to boost revenue!

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) (?) set the prices for fgw stations as far as i'm aware. If they don't then why didn't they highlight this in reply to the numerous news stories about price rises in late Aug/early Sept?

[Timmer]

APCOA^▸ (Car parking company used at GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) - controlled stations in the area) operate the car parks on behalf of FGW^▸ (First Great Western). FGW would set the cost of the car park factoring in APCOA's management fee.

I would suggest getting used to hikes like this as those premium payments to Dft begin to bite.

[JayMac]

APCOA^▸ (Car parking company used at GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) - controlled stations in the area) operate the car parks on behalf of FGW^▸ (First Great Western). FGW would set the cost of the car park factoring in APCOA's management fee.

I would suggest getting used to hikes like this as those premium payments to Dft begin to bite.

Isn't the flow of money (under the 'cap and collar' rules) in the other direction? I thought FGW were in 'revenue protection' at the moment.

[Timmer]

Isn't the flow of money (under the 'cap and collar' rules) in the other direction? I thought FGW^▸ (First Great Western) were in 'revenue protection' at the moment.

Response from FGW as to why car parking charges have been increased:
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/homepage/Bristol-parking-charges-increase-rip/article-1354345-detail/article.html

Ellie Banks, spokeswoman for the train operator, said: "We are reducing the amount we subsidise car parking at our stations, particularly in areas where non-rail passengers are using our facilities and leaving less space for genuine customers.

"For the past three years we have absorbed increasing costs of car park maintenance. However, given the current climate, this is no longer sustainable in the long term.

"We have been working with local authorities to make sure our prices remain less than town and city centre car parks."

[John R]

APCOA^▸ (Car parking company used at GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) - controlled stations in the area) operate the car parks on behalf of FGW^▸ (First Great Western). FGW would set the cost of the car park factoring in APCOA's management fee.

I would suggest getting used to hikes like this as those premium payments to Dft begin to bite.

Isn't the flow of money (under the 'cap and collar' rules) in the other direction? I thought FGW were in 'revenue protection' at the moment.

Cap and collar doesn't mean that FGW (or the other companies) are receiving payments. It means that franchises are making smaller payments (or receiving bigger subsidies) than were envisaged under the franchise agreement. Where the premium payments were scheduled to increase rapidly, in some instances it means a franchise will be paying more than the previous year, just not quite as much more as was envisaged.

[billyo]

Ellie Banks, spokeswoman for the train operator, said: "We are reducing the amount we subsidise car parking at our stations, particularly in areas where non-rail passengers are using our facilities and leaving less space for genuine customers..

For the past three years we have absorbed increasing costs of car park maintenance. However, given the current climate, this is no longer sustainable in the long term"

Ha Ha Ha Ha!  That's really cheered me up after a naff day at work!  That's right everyone - you're paying more to park your car to benefit you!   If only I'd have realised I wouldn't have got so worked up about it.  It would be so easy to limit carpark use to just passengers, simply hand out parking vouchers with season tickets.  Job done. 

Oh, and Car park maintainence - don't make me laugh.  I'd love to read a list of maintenance jobs carried out at Keynsham car park.

Incidently - does anyone know how Filton Abbey Wood station car park remains (and whisper it quietly incase someone realises) free!

[JayMac]

More muppets taking risks and treating railway platforms as a playground.

YouTube Video

I hope this video finds it way to the BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) and/or local press so they can publicise it, and identify the toe-rags. Get the idiots up in front of a magistrate.

[Brucey]

And I bet they'll be the first ones complaining and wanting compensation when they lose their legs.

[inspector_blakey]

Seen it all before unfortunately - seems to happen fairly regularly at Keynsham. I've also seen some of the local yoof hopping off the platforms and crossing the line as a short cut whilst waiting for trains in the past.

I'm not sure what specific offence may or may not be committed by dangling one's legs over the edge of the platform (I don't think "criminal stupidity" is on the statute books yet...) since as I understand it trespass wouldn't cover it.

In my forays into heritage railway operation I've also seen whole families eating their ice creams or sandwiches on a sunny day whilst sitting on the edge of platforms on a few occassions. Invariably they have been surprisingly put out and stroppy when I pointed out the silliness of what they were doing 

[Brucey]

I'm not sure what specific offence may or may not be committed by dangling one's legs over the edge of the platform (I don't think "criminal stupidity" is on the statute books yet...) since as I understand it trespass wouldn't cover it.

Section 11(1) of the Railway Byelaws might cover this, assuming it could be classed as "obstruction":

11. General safety
(1) No person shall move, operate, obstruct, stop or in any other way interfere with any automatic closing door, train, or any other equipment on the railway except:
(i) in an emergency, by means of any equipment on or near which there is a notice indicating that it is intended to be used in an emergency; or
(ii) any equipment intended for the use of passengers in that way in normal operating circumstances.

[JayMac]

And I bet they'll be the first ones complaining and wanting compensation when they lose their legs.

Yep. But they wouldn't have a leg to stand on! 

Sorry, I'll get me coat.