Swindon to Oxford - new proposal from the "Go!" Coop

[whole diary]

[anthony215]

I did notice that the trains will be built oversea's so I suspect perhaps the Polaris trains from CSRE.

I must admit to be a bit skepictal about it although I do wish them all the best although their service using a parry people mover has gone very quiet.

[mjones]

The proposed PPM^‡(resolve) service is mentioned in the Spring 2012 newsletter, available on the same page:
http://go-op.coop/workspace/uploads/files/go-op_newsletter_spring_2012rrkw.pdf

Apparently the Mid Hants railway has rejected the use of the PPM, but they are now discussing using a Pacer. Would be interesting to know why the PPM was rejected.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Try this: http://go-op.coop/info/update-on-mid-hants-link-rail-service 

[mjones]

Yes, but the PPM^‡(resolve) still hadn't been rejected at that stage, they were still hoping to launch in 2011.  Presumably the technical problems weren't resolved, but it would be interesting to know the reasons in more detail.  The latest Parry newsletter reports new funding to develop a larger vehicle for a proposed new service in the West Midlands, so the technical problems with the Mid Hants trials clearly haven't precluded the further development of the PPM itself.

http://www.parrypeoplemovers.com/newsletters.htm

[grahame]

There's an update from GoCo on all their schemes in their new newsletter, just added to their site in that last couple of days:

http://go-op.coop/workspace/uploads/files/go-op_newsletter_spring_2012rrkw.pdf

[IndustryInsider]

Contracts signed in June and a launch 2nd quarter of 2014 then.   Hmmm, I remain deeply sceptical and the problems with their other two schemes, Swindon car sharing and PPM^‡(resolve) trials on the Mid-Hants railway, only fuel that scepticism.

[grahame]

Now to be known as Go-op rather than GoCo

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/9547703.Legal_threat_forces_co_operative_name_change/

[Phil]

The company desperately needs a rethink on their branding (amongst other things, but first things first).

Any day now they are going to be served with a cease and desist order by the Co-Op (or Co-operative Wholesale Society or CWS or whatever they're called now)

Besides which, the whole concept of naming a T.O.C. a "co-op" is doomed to failure, as it too closely resembles the word "Coop" (as in chicken coop) and that whole thing about being cooped up together in a tight space - the last thing a train company wants to be associated with.

Even the word "Go" has unfortunate connotations, bringing to mind extreme complexity (Chinese board games) or overblown, pretentious progressive rock jazz bands.

Far better to bite the bullet and rebrand from scratch.

(and if they want suggestions from me, they can pay for them!)

[anthony215]

A further update on GO-OP^▸ (Original Poster / topic starter)'s website:

http://go-op.coop/info/

Looking at the picture of the proposed unit from CSRE that looks like the Pacesetter unit which I did read somewhere was capable of being an electro diesel.

I do have a PDF file with information on some of the units proposed by CSRE if anyone wants a copy

[Btline]

Sounds like good news, but when you consider that many London commuter lines are not profitable, I worry about over ambitious targets in the business plan. Presumably they'll offer cheaper fares to entice commuters off LM^▸ (London Midland - recent franchise), CH, XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) and FGW^▸ (First Great Western) and will get a bite of ORCATS^▸ (Operational Research Computerised Allocation of Tickets to Services) money, bit how many people go from Westbury to Birmingham? I suppose they'll build up the Melksham market again.

[paul7575]

I do have a PDF file with information on some of the units proposed by CSRE if anyone wants a copy

I admire your optimism.  I just cannot see CSRE making any headway into the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) market based on this plan. 

An organisation such as GO-OP^▸ (Original Poster / topic starter), is hardly likely to be able to bring this service to fruition at all, never mind introduce a new (to the British market) product, with all the testing, development and certification it would require.

I expect they'll fail ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about)'s primarily abstractive test for the core route between Oxford and Birmingham anyway.

Paul

[anthony215]

I will admit I am not getting my hopes up with regards to GO-OP^▸ (Original Poster / topic starter) however if they want to have a go and are buying their own units etc then I say let them get on with it especially if it offers a better service between Westbury & Swindon

[anthony215]

Go-OP^▸ (Original Poster / topic starter) have posted their winter 2012 newsletter:

http://www.go-op.coop/info/

[Chris from Nailsea]

Hmm. I really don't want to be viewed as 'negative', but that newsletter is very, very light on details of any actual progress in their aims ... 

[anthony215]

I most certainly agree  with you Chris and  to be honest I think they admit themselves they would  have liked to have made more progress by now than what they have.

It will be interesting if they do get their proposal off the ground however I am not sure the southern part of the route between Swindon & Westbury would carry to many passengers particulary if FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are already running a 2 hourly Salisbury - Swindon service.

That said I can see there being a good number of passengers who would like a direct link between Swindon & Oxford and perhaps passengers wanting to travel to Birmingham rather than having to get a train to Cheltenham and change onto a crosscountry service.