Most Wanted Improvements

[whole diary]

[onthecushions]

I would have the speed limit through Reading platform 4 put back to 80 from present 50, avoiding the silly approach control that slows a train to walking pace or dead stand to enter.

This would release quite a lot of down capacity and improve time-keeping.

OTC

[moonrakerz]

It won't get done until the trains are longer.

It won't get done then either - they will just pack in more seats or leave more room for standing !
The best seats on the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) 158s are the "priority" ones - tons of leg room there.

[smokey]

I'd like to see all maintenance taken back in house.

NR^» (Network Rail - home page) had to take Track maintenance back in-house, it restored standards and SAVED ^millions.

I've worked in-house: The Aim: to maintain to a high standard with consideration to keep costs down.

Also had to work on the same job but under contract:

The Aim: To reduce maintenance cost by cutting corners, leading to More Breakdowns, bigger profits and taking LONGER to do breakdowns.

I can't understand why companies expect to SAVE money with contracts, the aim of a contractor is to MAKE money from the client.

 YOUR MONEY paid by the customer.

I agree 100% with Oil Engineer's view.

However the most Wanted improvement has to be a Second Route from Plymouth to Exeter, why should Plymouth and Cornish passengers have to be Bused most Winter weekends, doesn't happen (very) often between Bristol or Exeter and London

[Phil]

My list of most wanted improvements (I realise these are all pie in the sky for the most part, but it doesn't stop me longing for them)

1. At stations other than halts have properly staffed ticket offices and entrances to platforms. Heritage railways seem to manage it - take a lesson from them.

2. Reintroduce platform tickets, and charge at least 20p. It'll generate revenue and ensure everyone on the platform has business being there.

2. Rename "revenue protection officers" as "customer travel assistants".

3. Remind the CTAs^▸ (Compulsory Ticket Area) who pays their wages. They are there primarily to assist the travelling public. The very name "revenue protection officers" shows that Management's priorities lie with the company's shareholders rather than the people who they are providing the service to.

4. Reintroduce third class coaches. Fill them with bus seats and sell really cheap walk-on fares. Don't bother with connecting doors to the rest of the train, just have a connection to.... (see point 5, below)

5. Reintroduce luggage vans so more people can transport bicycles and large suitcases etc. Isolate this from the rest of the train (except the third class coach). Charge a small stowage fee (take a lesson from the cheap flight providers).

6. Use modern technology to ensure the Quiet Carriage(s) have no wi-fi or phone signal access.

I am of the opinion that the additional income generated by platform charges, luggage stowage and cheap walk-on seat sales will more than pay for the changes.

[Mookiemoo]

My list of most wanted improvements (I realise these are all pie in the sky for the most part, but it doesn't stop me longing for them)

1. At stations other than halts have properly staffed ticket offices and entrances to platforms. Heritage railways seem to manage it - take a lesson from them.

2. Reintroduce platform tickets, and charge at least 20p. It'll generate revenue and ensure everyone on the platform has business being there.

2. Rename "revenue protection officers" as "customer travel assistants".

3. Remind the CTAs^▸ (Compulsory Ticket Area) who pays their wages. They are there primarily to assist the travelling public. The very name "revenue protection officers" shows that Management's priorities lie with the company's shareholders rather than the people who they are providing the service to.

4. Reintroduce third class coaches. Fill them with bus seats and sell really cheap walk-on fares. Don't bother with connecting doors to the rest of the train, just have a connection to.... (see point 5, below)

5. Reintroduce luggage vans so more people can transport bicycles and large suitcases etc. Isolate this from the rest of the train (except the third class coach). Charge a small stowage fee (take a lesson from the cheap flight providers).

6. Use modern technology to ensure the Quiet Carriage(s) have no wi-fi or phone signal access.

I am of the opinion that the additional income generated by platform charges, luggage stowage and cheap walk-on seat sales will more than pay for the changes.

If they put in wifi then I agree with the phone signal - there is nothing wrong with wifi in a quiet carriage - quite often people sit in there to , chock horror, work

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

they are already trialing third class on the tarka line and as suggested there is no connecting corridor to the standard class 153 up front

[smokey]

Firstly, I expect few passengers travel from Exmouth to Paignton.

Reversing a larger train takes longer than a DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit).

And you still haven't solved the problem of 100 mph to Waterloo.

And Clapham is a bottleneck to stay. There is no way of any major improvements, as they can't disrupt the trains every 13 seconds during the rush hour!

And the connexions on the Woeml are bad compared to the GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line).

Reversal's can be quick, I've been on a Plymouth-London HST^▸ (High Speed Train) that was on it's way within 120 Seconds of stopping at Exeter St. D and we left on the Southern route to Yeovil. Take it New Driver took over at Exteter.

[Btline]

Yes, in quiet zones there should be no power sockets, Wifi or Mobile signals.

Let people rest or work in peace. Using a laptop should NOT be permitted in the quiet zone.

[John R]

I disagree. Most people using a laptop make very little noise. The main purpose of quiet zones is to provide a haven from the person who insists on making his phone conversation audible to the rest of the coach. 

I use the plugs on the train to keep my blackberry charged. Not for phone calls, but for emails. Presumably that's allowed in a quiet coach?

[stebbo]

Can't undestand why people insist on making their phone calls audible to everyone. If I get one whilst travelling, I'd rather keep it short or take it in the vestibule. Can't undersatand showbiz types.

PS I agree with the much earlier comment abot more tables. Yes please....!

[Mookiemoo]

Yes, in quiet zones there should be no power sockets, Wifi or Mobile signals.

Let people rest or work in peace. Using a laptop should NOT be permitted in the quiet zone.

What about people who - er - use a laptop to work - like I would guess 95% of those commuting on the train who would wish to work

[Btline]

Because the tapping of keys is disturbing and there are other computer noises.

And you don't need a laptop to work on a train!

[John R]

Do you work in an office based environment or similar by any chance, where your work is more than "9 to 5"?  If you do, you will soon realise that having a laptop is by far and away the easiest and most productive way to keep on working whilst commuting. 

[RailCornwall]

Because the tapping of keys is disturbing and there are other computer noises.

And you don't need a laptop to work on a train!

Astonishing argument, bring back the quil pen, whoops there'll be complaints of scratching of the nib on the paper next.

[Btline]

I understand that lot's people use laptops.

But they should not use the Quiet Zones, as they are not quiet!