Buffet Cars

[whole diary]

[Scooby]

Well, wasnt sure where to post this but here comes the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) buffet car farce. From December 2007 FGW will have 53 HST^▸ (High Speed Train) sets, but only 26 will convey buffet cars, the rest will be 7 coach 'high density sets'.

Out of the 26 sets that have buffet cars only 16 will have the 407xx series capable of conveying a proper restaurant service, so as far as I can tell like the rest of the franchise it will be a complete farce, the sets will never keep to booked jobs so we can see the 18:03 ex PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) 'Golden Hind' to Penzance as a 7 coach train with no buffet car and just a trolley that can move nowhere on a Friday night due to passenger numbers.

First 'First for being tight and not leasing 27 buffet coachs'. How on earth such a complete piss poor company can run a train service that could be the countires best is beyond me.....

Please, please, get First outa here for the sake of everyone that wants rail to suceed.......

Help, SACK FARCE GROUP NOW.......

[Timmer]

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) think that by reducing the fleet to 7 coaches it will help them improve the abmismal record on punctuality between London and Bristol. The amount of padding between Chippenham-Bristol is a a complete farce and should not be allowed as it only hides the chronic under investment thats needed on Brunel's railway.

So if they are operating a trolley service on this route we can expect to see more of Alison wheeling her goodies trolley down the train then 

[Jim]

Problem with trolleys, is you are going to loose out on the hot goodies, like Bacon Rolls

[simonw]

I thought the plan was to use longer trains, with 8-10 carriages rather than replace the buffet carriage.

There is a desperate need for more capacity covering Bristol (Parkway+Temple Meads), Bath, Swindon and Chippenham in the morning and evening peak times. Simply replacing the buffet carriage will not address this, and remove from FGW^▸ (First Great Western) of a good revenue stream.

 

[Lee]

I thought the plan was to use longer trains, with 8-10 carriages rather than replace the buffet carriage.

See link below.
http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=438.msg1292#msg1292

[devon_metro]

The buffet not only provides food, but also a number of First Class seats.

I can't see performance improving. With the way some of the drivers drive it is no wonder as to why they loose time at every single station!

[martyjon]

I am at a loss to understand the thinking behind the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) decision on Buffet Cars.

Why didnt FGW take a decision to refurbish the buffet cars and REMOVE the 1st class seating and replace with high density standard class seating.

Majority of passengers satisfied.

Probably too simple a solution for FGW management.

By the way the 1557 PNZ - PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) service today was reportedly running today with no toilets in use. long time to wait to spend a penny.

[grahame]

Err ... I appreciate the feelings but are we getting a little too personal here?   Let's disagree with the decisions where we feel that's appropriate but not vere off towards the name calling.

thanks for the edit - much appreciated!

[Tickets Please]

good news. the new MD of FGW^▸ (First Great Western) has told staff today that more thinking is needed in relation to the removal of buffet cars from HST^▸ (High Speed Train)'s on the Paddington to Bristol and Paddington to Cardiff routes.

Once the new timetable has been in for a couple of weeks a number of 'trial' sets will come into service to see if the system is workable and of benefit to customers and staff.

At the end of January the company will obtain feedback from staff and customers alike and then decide what to do next.

Obviously its very important that comments and feedback both good and bad, are made to FGW about this issue.

[devon_metro]

Excellent news!

[Lee]

Article on this (link below.)
http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/2007/12/dismay_as_train_firm_announces.html#more

An FGW^▸ (First Great Western) spokesman said it made its intentions clear to remove some buffet car services in April 2006 when it won the franchise. But he said no firm decision would be made on the future of the facility until January.

He said the at-seat service wouldn't provide hot meals but would offer drinks and snacks.

[swlines]

I think they should look into EMTs^» (East Midlands Trains - about) methods, install a Meridian style galley in an FO at one end of the train (opposite to TGS)....

[smokey]

Am I missing something here, We need more seats on the Trains not less, plus making 7 coach and 8 coach HST^▸ (High Speed Train) will only cause operational problems. My answer is get the buffet turned round so Kitchen Counter is next to First Class whip out the First Class Seats and install Standard Seats. Everyone wins 2 cars first class 5, 1/2 cars standard class.
Such a good Idea, Cheque payable to Smokey please FGW^▸ (First Great Western).
Oh I forgot Don't think FGW have a staff suggestion scheme, to tight to pay out.

[devon_metro]

I agree that is what they should do.

Maybe push the boat out and have some tables in the buffet!!

[John R]

Agree entirely, and also make the table seats reservable only by groups of 3 or 4, so that they can get the benefit of actually being able to talk as a group. I think you'd find it would be the most popular coach by far.