Has anyone checked the replacement WOS/PAD time table for the works blackout

[whole diary]

[IndustryInsider]

I have to say that barely a months proper notice of the alternative services throughout the blockade is a pretty poor show!

[Oxman]

There is a count down clock on one of the displays at Oxford showing 38 days to the start of the blockade. The timetable leaflets were available there today.

[Mookiemoo]

I have to say that barely a months proper notice of the alternative services throughout the blockade is a pretty poor show!

Yes

My contract is up for renewal

IfI cant get home - im going to take six weeks off

but my client would like to know

I suspect many employees need to make arrangements

[willc]

I have to say that barely a months proper notice of the alternative services throughout the blockade is a pretty poor show!

While I agree it would have been good to have the full details of the revised services a few weeks earlier than this, FGW^▸ (First Great Western) and Network Rail have done a pretty good job of spreading the word in communities along the route that something is going to be happening over the summer, both with info at the stations - there have been posters at several strategic points at Oxford station for many weeks now - plus the roadshows, so I can assure you, a lot of people are aware there will be periods without trains, or with altered trains. There have been a good few stories published in the Journal series papers in Evesham and the Cotswolds and we have run several in Oxfordshire as well, while I know my colleagues in Worcester are also on the case.

But can't quite understand why there is no link on the FGW website from the homepage or the special northcotwolds page to that stuff Timmer flagged up.

[Chris from Nailsea]

But can't quite understand why there is no link on the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) website from the homepage or the special northcotwolds page to that stuff Timmer flagged up.

Hmm.  That's an interesting observation, willc. 

There are many here on this forum (myself included) who have tried to point out to FGW that they really need to improve the 'customer focus / user friendliness' of their website.

However, I remain hopeful that FGW will listen to, and act on, such comments.

Chris 

[willc]

Quite. The latest 'news' item on the website, if you know where to look for it, is 'Book early for Easter'

[Chris from Nailsea]

I do - and I did: it's dated 18 February 2009.  See http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?id=615

Mark Hopwood, Sue Evans - please note!   

[Timmer]

Don't get me started on keeping websites up to date  As good as the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) website is, it will only ever be as good when things are kept up to date and the news page is one part that is very neglected. I'm still smarting from the fact that they don't publish revised timetables at times of major engineering work at weekends anymore. A decision made during the reign of Alison.

Does anyone know if FGW are ever going to launch their own version of 'Print Your Own Timetable'?

I agree willc that I thought it was strange that having created a special page for Cotswold Line work, they go and create a new page. I don't understand why they haven't put the timetable online yet if the printed version is now available at stations. Usually its the other way round.

[Timmer]

Here's the timetable:
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/North%20Cotswold%20Weekday%20Timetable%2020%20July%20to%2028%20Aug.pdf

[Steve Bray]

During the engineering works on the Cotswold Line, would anyone know if it will be possible to use a Network Card between Worcester and Reading via Swindon? Is that covered under the 'easing of ticket restrictions'? Whilst I would enjoy a bus journey through the Cotswolds, I don't want my journey to take forever.

I would probably travel on a Friday evening/Sunday afternoon on the through diverted services, so I wouldn't be breaking my journey.

Thanks

[willc]

Here's the timetable:
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/North%20Cotswold%20Weekday%20Timetable%2020%20July%20to%2028%20Aug.pdf

But note these are only the weekday times. All the leaflet advises for weekend travel is to go online or ask at the station... and the stuff in the timetable alterations section still doesn't have a link to the timetable pdf. I hope Network Rail's work programme is a bit more joined up.

Steve, the logic of easing the restrictions would be that a Network Railcard ticket from Worcester should be valid on the long way round but since when has logic ever played a part in these things? I'd ask at a station or call the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) ticket line on 08457 000125.

[James_H]

Am I missing something or is it a heck of a lot easier just to use nationailrail.co.uk (from where it's been possible to look up the replacement bus times for at least a month)...?

[willc]

James, in some circumstances, yes.

But that assumes that you have access to the internet - a good many people in this country don't, so printed material is still important. Also, with a journey planner, you only get a small piece of the picture, which is fine if you are only interested in a very specific time for travel.

But many of us like to have an overview, or have to travel at different times during the week, so having the whole timetable available in a handy format is useful - especially when it comes to working out what routes the replacement buses are taking, as any detour off the A44 to get to some of the stations substantially increases journey times. A printed pocket timetable is a lot more portable than sheaves of A4 print-outs.

And if using websites, you have no guarantee that the info loaded in them is accurate and up to date. As I pointed out a bit up the thread, there was actually a discrepancy between the results the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) and National Rail journey planners were producing about what afternoon peak through trains would run to Worcester via the Stroud Valley. I haven't checked to see if they have sorted this out yet.

[Btline]

Why is the world obsessed with using computers for EVERYTHING?

What is wrong with being able to pick up a timetable book at my local station? A book which can fit in my pocket, with all the train times for that route.

I haven't had to waste my time, paper, ink, and download allowance downloading & printing off reams of A4 paper, where the times run from one page to the other, between 2 stations only. I have to fold it to make it portable, and doesn't contain any other info like Phone numbers and train/station facilities.

Just because it can be done on a computer, it doesn't means it's better on a computer!

[James_H]

OK, point taken...

I'm personally more interested in what compensation (as mentioned in that linked pdf) is going to be available to anyone with a season ticket...