ATW Full and Standing.

[PHILIPE]

ATWs Journey Check this afternoon mentions numerous services Full and Standing. Mostly they are on the Marches route, Manchesters and Holyheads.
Even trains like the 14 35 Gloucester to Fishguard beyond Cardiff and the 16 35 Cardiff to EbbwVale are mentioned. It is regular occurrence to see two or three but not on todays scale. I am not aware of any particular reason or event leading to this situation today and no trains are listed as being short formed. The Rugby League World Cup is in Cardiff tomorrow but this would not explain away all those mentioned.
(ATW publish this info). Any comments, please ?

 

[Sleepy]

School half term hols ?

 

[krus_aragon]

Could the combination of half term holidays and the Rugby League World Cup kicking off in Cardiff tomorrow be contributing to a busier Friday than usual?

 

[Eagle]

Assuming term dates in Wales are the same as England, today is the Friday before half-term. Transport's always busier on those days.

Of course, the RL World Cup that starts tomorrow probably won't help. I can imagine a lot of people from northern England and Wales coming down this evening and staying the night before tomorrow's games at the Millennium Stadium (England v Australia and Wales v Italy). Hence more traffic on the Marches.

 

[Cheshire Rover]

Always busy on the Manchester to Chester routes during the peak.

 

[Greenback]

I would also put it down to the pre half term Friday and a weekend of sport.

I caught the 1640 to Milford Haven out of Swansea this afternoon. It was very busy. In my vestibule we had two bikes, and five people besides myself.

I often catch the 1705 to Fishguard and it is normally very busy, especially if a 150 turns up. I have seen people an dbikes turned away, but I don't recall the service being described as full and standing, so I dread to think what the trains were like today to warrant that description!

 

[jamesbwxm]

Currently on the 1802 ex Wrexham. Full and standing.

 

[PHILIPE]

I would also put it down to the pre half term Friday and a weekend of sport.

I caught the 1640 to Milford Haven out of Swansea this afternoon. It was very busy. In my vestibule we had two bikes, and five people besides myself.

I often catch the 1705 to Fishguard and it is normally very busy, especially if a 150 turns up. I have seen people an dbikes turned away, but I don't recall the service being described as full and standing, so I dread to think what the trains were like today to warrant that description!

Fishguard quoted as leaving Cardiff but people could have alighted before Swansea.

 

[trainophile]

I was on the 1330 Manchester Pic to Tenby yesterday, and that was a 2-car set, which they eventually tweeted at about 1730 saying it was full and standing from Cardiff. It was pretty full from MAN, worse by Crewe, and when we got off at Hereford there were many waiting to board, although most of these were school kids, probably only going to Abergavenny.

They also tweeted that the 1430 ex-MAN was 2-car as well, and was also full and standing. Goodness knows what's going on.

I have an Advance for this Sunday heading north from Hereford, but as a result of this thread (I didn't know about the two Rugby matches) and all those tweets earlier I've just decided not to even bother, and have hastily booked another ticket via BHM as I can't face standing all the way to MAN amid hundreds of returning rugby fans. I don't know whether there are any post-match special arrangements to get people home on Saturday night, but given the lateness of the second game I bet there will be lots staying over.

ATW need to get their act together if this is likely to be a regular thing.

 

[Tracky]

I travelled on the 1521 CDF-WRX (1802) today. Two car as booked.

It came off Canton at around 1505 and passengers joined. It was full with a good 20 standing per coach from Cardiff/Newport but it cleared down to just 'full' after Cwmbran. A few empty seats came about on the run up to Hereford.

The students then piled on, probably 40 standees in my coach. They cleared by Church Stretton.

A handful had to stand after Shrewsbury. Some empty seats wern't taken.

As James commented more joined than left at Wrexham so I guess it was cosy up to Chester.

The train follows a Virgin down the coast so assuming that ran, it would drop off more than would wish to join on the journey to Holyhead. Back from Holyhead its a little used service to Crewe.

All in all, it would actually be a waste of a 3 car. I do wish people would have more common sense with luggage. The spaces under seats in 175s will hold a lot. Also, people need to be polite enough to give up seats if they are young, fit and healthy.

 

[northwichcat]

Assuming term dates in Wales are the same as England, today is the Friday before half-term. Transport's always busier on those days.

It varies between council areas. Cheshire has been on half-term this week, Greater Manchester is on half-term next week.

 

[Gareth Marston]

The 1530 ex Aberystwyth was full and standing leaving Aber two Fridays ago or if your a fan of asking people to move down the isle so more can get in try the 0514 ABR to BHM INTL east of Telford every weekday.

I think its fairly safe to say that the Wales and Border franchise cannot cope with peak demand anymore, then again it was specified with head in the bucket. ATW will no doubt claim to have added extra services and seats per day but if you analyse they mainly seem to be in the off peak.

 

[northwichcat]

I was on the 1330 Manchester Pic to Tenby yesterday, and that was a 2-car set, which they eventually tweeted at about 1730 saying it was full and standing from Cardiff. It was pretty full from MAN, worse by Crewe, and when we got off at Hereford there were many waiting to board, although most of these were school kids, probably only going to Abergavenny.

They also tweeted that the 1430 ex-MAN was 2-car as well, and was also full and standing. Goodness knows what's going on.

ATW have all afternoon and early evening Manchester-South Wales services marked as 'Seat Reservations Recommended' but they don't say which bits of the journeys that applies to.

The 19:30 ex-Manchester service on Saturdays departs Stockport with about 20 standing yet doesn't have 'Seat Reservations Recommended' but I imagine a number of passengers on that service are going home to Wilmslow or Crewe.

There is too much reliance on local passengers to be carried on regional/intercity services south of Manchester. Hopefully if and when HS2 gets built it will mean more local services and less long distance services acting as local trains.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I think its fairly safe to say that the Wales and Border franchise cannot cope with peak demand anymore

Same could be said about other franchises e.g. Northern, TPE and FGW.

 

[Tracky]

On my example, the 1521 off Cardiff, the stations between Hereford and Shrewsbury should be catered for by a "local" service using a 150. But thats not really possible given there arent any spare trains and it probably isnt pathable with current signalling.

 

[1e10]

Cardiff University had an open day event today from 9AM until 4PM. They said they were expecting a couple of thousands and it's likely a large proportion of those will take the train. There was quite a few teens at Cardiff Central this morning, not sure if that is the norm.

 

[dvboy]

Most ATW services I've used between Birmingham and Shrewsbury (and further), no matter what time or day, has had people standing (with the exception perhaps of the 2255 off BHM), usually to the point of reservations being useless because it's not obvious which coach is which when it arrives on the platform, and then you've usually got little chance of actually finding the seat before someone else has taken it.

Woefully under-resourced.

 

[northwichcat]

Cardiff University had an open day event today from 9AM until 4PM. They said they were expecting a couple of thousands and it's likely a large proportion of those will take the train. There was quite a few teens at Cardiff Central this morning, not sure if that is the norm.

I think that's pretty poor organisation by Cardiff University to arrange open days on Fridays when Friday evening is when roads and public transport are usually busiest. Most hold such events Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

 

[Tracky]

Most ATW services I've used between Birmingham and Shrewsbury (and further), no matter what time or day, has had people standing (with the exception perhaps of the 2255 off BHM), usually to the point of reservations being useless because it's not obvious which coach is which when it arrives on the platform, and then you've usually got little chance of actually finding the seat before someone else has taken it.

Woefully under-resourced.

You can't have used many trains then. It is a busy route but most services are booked to run with 4 coaches and one per day runs with 6.

The 150x, 160x, 170x, and 180x out of Birmingham are all very busy, the 160x probably the worst - but they clear by Wellington.

I'm not sure what people expect coming out of a major city.

 

[Eagle]

I think that's pretty poor organisation by Cardiff University to arrange open days on Fridays when Friday evening is when roads and public transport are usually busiest. Most hold such events Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Back when I was looking for universities, most open days were on Saturday. Presumably because most prospective students (me included) get their parents to drive there

 

[trainophile]

Club 55 is on at the moment too. Rather ironic, given that this promotion is presumably intended to utilise services that would otherwise be half empty :roll:.

However I can't complain too much as I'm a Club 55 user when it fits in with my plans.

Wish we knew whether this was going to continue. I'm just wasting another Advance for next week, that would be for boarding at Crewe, in order to start from MAN and have a better chance of a seat .

 

[merlodlliw]

Club 55 is on at the moment too. Rather ironic, given that this promotion is presumably intended to utilise services that would otherwise be half empty :roll:.

However I can't complain too much as I'm a Club 55 user when it fits in with my plans.

Wish we knew whether this was going to continue. I'm just wasting another Advance for next week, that would be for boarding at Crewe, in order to start from MAN and have a better chance of a seat .

ATW have put in more stricter rules, & upped the price,Club 55 this Autumn appeared a last minute thought by ATW, no advance notice was given to booking offices & it only appeared on the ATW website the day it started.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Assuming term dates in Wales are the same as England, today is the Friday before half-term. Transport's always busier on those days.

Term dates are different in Wales,half term commences a week later IE 28th Oct here in North East Wales.

 

[paul1609]

ATWs Journey Check this afternoon mentions numerous services Full and Standing. Mostly they are on the Marches route, Manchesters and Holyheads.
Even trains like the 14 35 Gloucester to Fishguard beyond Cardiff and the 16 35 Cardiff to EbbwVale are mentioned. It is regular occurrence to see two or three but not on todays scale. I am not aware of any particular reason or event leading to this situation today and no trains are listed as being short formed. The Rugby League World Cup is in Cardiff tomorrow but this would not explain away all those mentioned.
(ATW publish this info). Any comments, please ?

Its not only Wales that was busy this Friday. It went up to town from Kent the 16.00 ish HS1 departures to St Pancras were full and standing with more than the normal luggage in evidence as well.

 

[northwichcat]

Could the combination of half term holidays and the Rugby League World Cup kicking off in Cardiff tomorrow be contributing to a busier Friday than usual?

Seeing the highlights on the news you have to wonder why a sport which is most popular in the North of England had a World Cup match in Cardiff. Is there even a professional Rugby League team in Wales? Huge sections of the Millennium Stadium were empty and presumably the majority of the occupied seats were taken up by people who aren't local to Cardiff.

Back when I was looking for universities, most open days were on Saturday. Presumably because most prospective students (me included) get their parents to drive there

I think I did go to one or two open days on Saturday but the majority were on Wednesdays, certainly no Fridays.

 

[merlodlliw]

Seeing the highlights on the news you have to wonder why a sport which is most popular in the North of England had a World Cup match in Cardiff. Is there even a professional Rugby League team in Wales? Huge sections of the Millennium Stadium were empty and presumably the majority of the occupied seats were taken up by people who aren't local to Cardiff.

There is professional RL team based on Wrexham,just been promoted,a couple of Gamesto be in Wrexham for the world cup, Wales RL side played at the stadium yesterday as well as the England match.http://www.northwalescrusaders.co.uk/

 

[Gareth Marston]

There is professional RL team based on Wrexham,just been promoted,a couple of Gamesto be in Wrexham for the world cup, Wales RL side played at the stadium yesterday as well as the England match.http://www.northwalescrusaders.co.uk/

A lot of sports fans football Rugby union and league prefer the Milenuim stadium to Wembley as its in the city centre close to all the pubs restaurants hotels and a mainline station.

 

[krus_aragon]

Term dates are different in Wales,half term commences a week later IE 28th Oct here in North East Wales.

They can be, but the GP suggested that Friday was the last school day before half term in England. That matches with ours this time.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Everything I went on Saturday was busy - well FCC to and from London and the Met line - train to Didcot also - interestingly the 0915 Padd to Cardiff was advertised as Cardiff only - a cunning plan to put London - intermediate stations onto other trains to give the latter space to Cardiff for the game. Clever move.

 

[merlodlliw]

They can be, but the GP suggested that Friday was the last school day before half term in England. That matches with ours this time.

Not to labour a point,but West Cheshire schools were on half term last week, Wrexham schools half term is this week. these two join each others boundary,that's the reason for my remark, and Our beloved Welsh Assembly members are also on week off, after a tiresome five weeks back after their three months holiday.

 

[trainophile]

I was at Hereford this morning when the 0941 to MAN came through, three coaches with quite a lot of available seats by the look of it.

I was waiting for the 1006 LM to BHM, having decided not to risk the MAN route today and bought a £24.75 (with railcard) Advance on Friday at short notice. Was okay for the first few stations, plenty of room on it for everyone, but it was soon heaving, with baggage strewn all over the aisles. Silly me, forgot about the £15 Great Escape, plus the start of half term :roll:.

Wish I'd stuck with my original plan now and taken a chance on the 1254 ATW to MAN with my £9.90 ticket. I suppose the only advantage is that I arrived two hours sooner than I would have. Disadvantage was just over an hour on a VT (standard class) backache special from BHM to Wigan .