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JayMac
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« on: July 23, 2010, 12:28:11 » |
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From the Daily Telegraph: Rail passengers could see fewer trains under Government proposals to overhaul the industry. Services on some lines would run less frequently, could have fewer carriages and stop at fewer stations. The proposals are contained in a Government consultation document on rail franchising. While operators would be free to cut back services on unprofitable routes, they would also be given freedom to shift staff and trains to where there is greater demand.
In opposition the Conservatives accused the Labour Government of acting like a ^fat controller^ in Whitehall, dictating which services should be run and when.
The consultation, aimed at stimulating private investment in the industry, would give operators a greater say on what services they wish to run as well as offering longer franchises.
^We are also considering whether further flexibility could be provided so that operators could reduce service frequency or change calling patterns if planned demand did not materialise,^ the consultation document says. ^This would enable them to deploy the trains or staff on routes with higher demand.^
But critics fear this would lead to train companies cherry-picking the most profitable routes and cutting back on services which are less lucrative. The proposals were condemned by Stephen Joseph, executive director of the Campaign for Better Transport, an environmental lobbying group. He voiced alarm that it could make it too easy for operators to cut unprofitable services and shorten trains.
^Passengers will end up blaming the Government for these cuts. Although the railway cannot be frozen, changes have to be made which are not just about short-term financial gain.^
Sadiq Khan, the shadow Transport Secretary, said the Government should not be cutting services.
'It's clear that under these proposals we could see some train operators cherry picking the best routes while neglecting the less profitable ones, with towns across the country seeing their rail services downgraded.
Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT▸ transport union, said the document gave the green light to rail companies to exploit the travelling public.
^It is clear that by flexibility the train operators take that to mean that they can chop back services to suit them and concentrate on profitable routes. It also appears that the franchise holders will be able to alter calling patterns and cut out station stops as they see fit.^
Anthony Smith, the chief executive of the consumer watchdog, Passenger Focus, accepted that flexibility had to be built into the system.
^However, any substantive change must follow public consultation. We would be worried if this happens behind closed doors,^
The proposals were welcomed by the Association of Train Operating Companies.
^The Government is absolutely right to point out that franchising has become too prescriptive and limits operational flexibility at the expense of passengers and taxpayers,^ a spokesman said. ^On the right terms, longer and more flexible franchises, with clear commitments on service quality, would allow train operators to deliver improvements more quickly, help drive down costs and open the door to more private sector investment.^
A Department for Transport spokesman defended the plans last night.
^We are keen to give operators more control to provide services where they are needed,^ he said. ^However, we recognise that some services are socially important but not commercially viable Therefore, we will continue to specify services where appropriate.^
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"A clear conscience laughs at a false accusation."
"Treat everyone the same until you find out they're an idiot."
"Moral indignation is a technique used to endow the idiot with dignity."
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Electric train
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« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2010, 17:01:19 » |
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The specter of Marples and the ghost of Beeching
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Starship just experienced what we call a rapid unscheduled disassembly, or a RUD, during ascent,”
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Btline
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« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2010, 17:56:01 » |
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Not a fan.  Almost every policy this new Tory Gov has come out with has been bad news or rubbish. Last quarter we had the best growth since 1999 (thanks to Labour) which is going to be destroyed by Tory early cuts. No doubt the locals whose services are to be axed can all chip in ^50 to keep the service going - all part of the Tory's "Big Society". All part of the Conservative vision of no public services - they HAVEN'T changed! 5 years can't go quick enough... |
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devon_metro
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« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2010, 17:58:39 » |
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Btline
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« Reply #4 on: July 23, 2010, 18:02:52 » |
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As far as I know, the Tories weren't in power in April! It was Brown and Darlings policies (i.e. Labour) that got this economy going again.
Osborne has failed to grasp the simple fact that if he makes millions unemployed, people won't go out and spend, and we'll go back into recession! It's all right for him to sit in an office and strike x people off here and y people off there and say it will reduce the deficit - this will have a big effect!
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Electric train
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« Reply #5 on: July 23, 2010, 22:50:56 » |
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Starship just experienced what we call a rapid unscheduled disassembly, or a RUD, during ascent,”
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6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01
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« Reply #6 on: July 23, 2010, 23:33:10 » |
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what quiet lines??? or are they going to make lines quiet by cutting services to a couple a day...remind you of anywhere
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #7 on: July 23, 2010, 23:37:44 » |
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Erm ... the ghost of Beeching, the spectre of Marples ??  |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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Btline
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« Reply #8 on: July 23, 2010, 23:44:44 » |
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what quiet lines???
Heart of Wales - it's quicker (and cheaper!) travelling via Cardiff. |
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inspector_blakey
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« Reply #9 on: July 24, 2010, 04:42:25 » |
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Quicker via Cardiff? Possibly. Cheaper? No. Sorry, wrong on that one. My version of Avantix▸ traveller is a little out of date but it shows for Shrewsbury to Swansea an off-peak return at ^35.80 (route Llandovery) or at ^46.30 (route Newport). Brilliant! For anyone not familiar with the (actually rather impressive) BR▸ advert that Spitting Image are spoofing, you can find it here. If you're using headphones, beware a single sudden static "blip" at 1:39! |
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« Last Edit: July 24, 2010, 04:47:51 by inspector_blakey »
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JayMac
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« Reply #10 on: July 24, 2010, 08:46:01 » |
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On my local line, the Severn Beach, I think that cuts in off peak service can be justified (pipe down at the back!).
Off peak, the loadings are nothing to shout about. I would suggest reverting to an hourly service between 10am and 4pm.
Since the introduction of the 3 every 2 hours service, patronage has increased but trains are rarely even half full in the off peak.
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"A clear conscience laughs at a false accusation."
"Treat everyone the same until you find out they're an idiot."
"Moral indignation is a technique used to endow the idiot with dignity."
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Electric train
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« Reply #11 on: July 24, 2010, 09:02:01 » |
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A song that Hammond and Cameron should rewrite and the duet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6OHD2uCpfU&feature=PlayList&p=B66AB2ADC2425381&playnext=1&index=15There is a fine balance between to be had, providing a regular service means that people will use the train because they know it is usable and a random or infrequent time tabled service. Problem with the random or infrequent time table its easy for those services to be canceled as they are an inconvenience to NR» and TOC▸ the unreliability deters passengers. Two examples Transwilts and Oxford Islip / Biscester services both suffered low patronage due to poor provision of services, one has had rejuvenation in its time table one has not, one has seen vast increase in patronage the other could well be added to the above song. |
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Starship just experienced what we call a rapid unscheduled disassembly, or a RUD, during ascent,”
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Henry
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« Reply #12 on: July 24, 2010, 11:53:31 » |
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''they would also be given freedom to shift staff and trains to where there is greater demand.''
I find this part of the policy quite interesting, excuse my ignorance but are train crew trained to work over an entire region.?
Do local government still subsidise certain routes, or will central government take overal responsibility ?
I'm not surprised ATOC» are delighted, In my opinion, the less profitable off peak services would be hit.
Arguably rail companies would not need to lease as many trains, and possibly less staff to run services.
''^We are keen to give operators more control to provide services where they are needed,^ he said. ^However, we recognise that some services are socially important but not commercially viable Therefore, we will continue to specify services where appropriate.^
So what does take priority 'socially important' = 'commercially viable' ?
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woody
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« Reply #13 on: July 24, 2010, 11:55:24 » |
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That Spitting Image clip is turning out to be very prophetic unfortunately.You have to be blind not to see it.However as the old saying goes "There are nought so blind as those who do not want to see". Not sure anymore where all this is going to lead but at this moment in time its not looking good railwaywise. |
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matt473
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« Reply #14 on: July 24, 2010, 15:31:49 » |
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what quiet lines???
Heart of Wales - it's quicker (and cheaper!) travelling via Cardiff. Actually the line is pretty much safe, however not for the right rason. It is only safe as it passes through many marginal constituencies so any one wishing to close it would be commiting political suicide in the region. It won't however recieve the improvements it deserves to make it a useful and potentially profitable service in regards to making it a commuter friendly service |
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