FGW HST WiFi

[whole diary]

[devon_metro]

Indeed, I have a complaint to Cross Country pending regarding catering!

Personally i'd say a good level of First Class service for a TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) such as FGW^▸ (First Great Western) who operate long distance services would be a complimentary hot breakfast served at seat between 0600 and 1000 on services from Plymouth, Cardiff, Worcester, Gloucester and Bristol as far as Reading on services to London, and from 1600 - 1930 a complimentary hot evening meal.

[thetrout]

Even just a Travelling Chef On the 07:15 Taunton - London Paddington and the 18:00 Bath Spa - Taunton Would be greatly appreciated. Sit on those trains for about an hour and 30 minutes. Consquently if i've just finished work and take the 18:00 to taunton. I dont get to eat till 20:00 in the evening unless I want a Cheese and Tomato Panini or a Mushroom Stroganoff. Which over the 5 months i've been travelling on this route gets incredibly boring.

I think FGW^▸ (First Great Western) need to change their offerings in the Buffet and First Class. They've had the same offerings for well over 2 years.

[devon_metro]

I can imagine!

Thinking about it, wouldn't a wireless service help to reduce the number of people travelling at peak times, if it meant that people could work before and after being at the office, so arriving into London later, and leaving earlier?

[thetrout]

You would have thought so

It would certainly benefit alot of people, Like Students, Business Travellers and the like.

[Btline]

I can imagine!

Thinking about it, wouldn't a wireless service help to reduce the number of people travelling at peak times, if it meant that people could work before and after being at the office, so arriving into London later, and leaving earlier?

In theory it would. But in reality, people would just extend their working day (i.e. working on the train instead of sleeping).

But the whole idea of changing working times needs to be addressed.

-----------------

Regarding XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)), the shop always run out of bacon rolls.

[John R]

Even just a Travelling Chef On the 07:15 Taunton - London Paddington and the 18:00 Bath Spa - Taunton Would be greatly appreciated.

Aren't they dying out? According to the latest timetable there isn't even a TC^‡(resolve) on the 0730 Bristol to Paddington any more, though I haven't tried it yet.

Is there a definitive list on which services TC's operate? (And weren't they suppose to become brasseries?)

[Btline]

I think the two peak Cotswold morning trains are Travelling Chef/ Brassarie.

[thetrout]

Your right in what your saying, I haven't seen a TC^‡(resolve) for quite a while. Although this part of FGW^▸ (First Great Western)'s website seems to say otherwise, It doesn't show the times. But it's a new menu.

http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=1124
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=1168

I'll go get the timetable in a minute and see if any TC's are listed on there.

[devon_metro]

Even just a Travelling Chef On the 07:15 Taunton - London Paddington and the 18:00 Bath Spa - Taunton Would be greatly appreciated.

Aren't they dying out? According to the latest timetable there isn't even a TC^‡(resolve) on the 0730 Bristol to Paddington any more, though I haven't tried it yet.

On the Bristol - Paddington route yes, Most Swansea, Plymouth and Penzance have a travelling chef.

[thetrout]

To Avoid going off topic I have created a separate Thread for the Catering on FGW^▸ (First Great Western) Services

Here is the link

http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=4097.0

Also includes the timings of Travelling Chef, Most of which avoid Bristol Temple Meads

[JayMac]

First Great Western announces major WiFi expansion plans

From the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) press release:

Tuesday 10 December

First Great Western has announced a time scale for the implementation of free WiFi on board its High Speed Train fleet and Night Riviera Sleeper services.

On 14 October First Great Western pledged to increase WiFi provision as part of its new, 23-month franchise. First Great Western has now concluded an agreement with Nomad Digital which will see all 53 of its High Speed Trains and its Night Riviera trains fitted with WiFi.

Work on fitting the High Speed Trains with WiFi will start in May 2014, with full completion due by the end of the year.  WiFi on the two daily Night Riviera services will be available by June 2014.

First Great Western Managing Director Mark Hopwood said:

^We have trialled WiFi on board our fleet of Class 180 trains, serving the north Cotswolds, and it has been very well received by customers.

^I am delighted that we are able to extend this free service, and within the next year all high speed and Sleeper fleet customers will be able to read their emails, browse the web, or simply catch up with friends while on the move.^

WiFi is currently available at a number of FGW stations through the public provider The Cloud.

Nomad Digital, the company chosen to provide the wireless solutions for the High Speed Train and Sleeper fleets, has seen a vast increase in demand for WiFi and other wireless connected services on trains worldwide. Nomad Digital^s CEO^▸ (Chief Executive Officer), Andrew Taylor said:

^The public^s demand for WiFi connectivity on transport has grown rapidly, becoming a vital tool for working and staying connected while on the move. Nomad is proud to be providing the technology, as well as playing a central part in another valuable service that First Great Western will provide for its customers.^

[stebbo]

No peace anywhere then, what with airlines allowing mobiles etc. There used to be a time when a rail journey with an early start/late return was a chance to read a newspaper and get away from the grind for an hour or so.

[bobm]

If they are putting WiFi on the sleepers, the installation of power points at the same time would be good!

[ChrisB]

Someone asked that Q on twitter, and got a negative answer....

Cue pax trying to use the shaver socket & blowing the circuits....

[bobm]

Who would think of doing such a thing?