Clever, effective or helpful things done by one TOC that should be coppied by others

[Blindtraveler]

I know we'd all love to be idealistic and have things like LM's modern stock on Northern or SWT's fabby Ditra Station Announcements used more widely but I was inspired to post this by the Hot Drink Cups offered on VTEC and formerly East Coast. Out of all the ones out there these are the best with the closable drinking whole and decent qualitty material of both cup and lid. Id love to see these be the industry standard for any transport opperater offering hot drinks and for station outlets too.
So, any other aspect of a TOCs product, service, policy or practice that should be done elsewhere? It can be anything.

 

[Peter Sarf]

While racking my brains to think of sensible suggestions I found myself wondering what is the cheapest fare for VTEC as I fancy one of those cups .

I think it was about ten years ago I went to visit a friend by using Eurostar to Brussels. The service got quite late and we were told by Eurostar that we would be able to clam a free one way ticket. I thought damn - now I will have to pay for another single to visit my friend again before he moves again. I need not have worried as the train back was something like 5 hours late !. Now I wonder how many other TOCs could afford to do that or at least what sort of delay would trigger it.

Also I wonder what ideas could be picked up from other modes of transport.

 

[Butts]

Free Alcohol to 1st Class Passengers on XC, First Hull and Grand Central to bring them into line with Virgin East and West Coast.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Peter, maybe if ever in Scotland do a Haymarket Inverkeithing journey?

Id rather XC invested in a hoover, a few pints of disinfectant, cloths and the Voyager Toilet mods TBH, OH AND MAYBE A SCREWDRIVER FOR THE RATTLY 170S?

 

[Peter Sarf]

Free Alcohol to 1st Class Passengers on XC, First Hull and Grand Central to bring them into line with Virgin East and West Coast.

Especially on match days .
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Peter, maybe if ever in Scotland do a Haymarket Inverkeithing journey?

Id rather XC invested in a hoover, a few pints of disinfectant, cloths and the Voyager Toilet mods TBH, OH AND MAYBE A SCREWDRIVER FOR THE RATTLY 170S?

Well that would be a nose clip and earplugs then :roll:.

 

[Bodiddly]

For me, it's got to be WiFi access. Scotrail are, in my opinion, leaders in this field. They provide free WiFi on most of their trains and a large amount of their stations. I have yet to see another TOC (not saying they're not out there as I haven't experienced them all) push the boat out as much for free WiFi access. This is a personal bugbear of mine. WiFi should be free everywhere for everyone. It is the biggest advertising tool there ever has been. If advertising can't pay for free widespread internet access to a global client base of literally billions of potential customers then it is time to go back to living in caves.

 

[Butts]

For me, it's got to be WiFi access. Scotrail are, in my opinion, leaders in this field. They provide free WiFi on most of their trains and a large amount of their stations. I have yet to see another TOC (not saying they're not out there as I haven't experienced them all) push the boat out as much for free WiFi access. This is a personal bugbear of mine. WiFi should be free everywhere for everyone. It is the biggest advertising tool there ever has been. If advertising can't pay for free widespread internet access to a global client base of literally billions of potential customers then it is time to go back to living in caves.

Why don't you read a book or a newspaper, or would that be tantamount to "living in a cave"

 

[Bodiddly]

Why don't you read a book or a newspaper, or would that be tantamount to "living in a cave"

To be quite honest, I would love to go and live in a cave and read books! The telly is rubbish, the news is propaganda and modern life is rubbish! Unfortunately, we get swept along in this new world where instant access to information is at the utmost importance to some people whether that be for work or leisure purposes so a decent access to the web does become the be all and end all. Me personally, I can take it or leave it.

 

[tsr]

Chiltern posted a very detailed, clear and understandable "layman's guide" on their Facebook page about a points failure affecting their trains the other day. It was a classic example of social media done well and made for interesting reading for anyone, as well as explaining the anticipated service level at times. Many TOCs could take a read and see if/how they can follow suit, as it struck a good balance between explanation and travel advice.

 

[Blindtraveler]

@Bodiddly, Im with you on the station Wifi, its a great idea. I think we've a long way to go before on train WiFi is worth the froth made about it but its a good idea and one which needs doing.

@tsr what a great idea with that guide. As an enthusiast and customer who understands some of whats happening seeing customers being fobbed off as they are makes me mad as giving out the real reason wouldnt be hard and whilst a handful would understand it its being open and onnest with everyone.

 

[yorksrob]

Northern Rail's day rangers are an excellent way of encouraging leisure travel and getting people out and about and seeing the country. They have a fine heritage going back to Network SouthEast's network days. Other TOC's could learn a thing or two.

 

[wimbledonpete]

Only have day-to-day experience of SWT and Southeastern but would love SE to adopt SWT's practice of adding train lengths to the scrolling platform displays. Not earth-shattering but would just help in a small way.

 

[AM9]

Northern Rail's day rangers are an excellent way of encouraging leisure travel and getting people out and about and seeing the country. They have a fine heritage going back to Network SouthEast's network days. Other TOC's could learn a thing or two.

Whilst I agree wholly with the sentiment, I think that there are limitations with some TOCs offering day rangers. I've used Northern's Lancs and Cheshire rovers as well as the LM West Midlands Ranger and the ABA Anglia Ranger. The Cornwall day ticket is also a great deal. The issue with some areas where there isn't a fairly comprehensive range of destinations is that the ticket must be priced lower meaning that it is similar to the ordinary off-peak returns (especially with railcards). For example, how would VTWC or EC price a ranger ticket?
Most travellers into London from outboundary stations normally get zone 1-6 travelcards included which gives a fantastic number of options but TOC-specific ranger deals anywhere in the South-east commuting area are few and not that useful anyway.

 

[yorksrob]

Whilst I agree wholly with the sentiment, I think that there are limitations with some TOCs offering day rangers. I've used Northern's Lancs and Cheshire rovers as well as the LM West Midlands Ranger and the ABA Anglia Ranger. The Cornwall day ticket is also a great deal. The issue with some areas where there isn't a fairly comprehensive range of destinations is that the ticket must be priced lower meaning that it is similar to the ordinary off-peak returns (especially with railcards). For example, how would VTWC or EC price a ranger ticket?
Most travellers into London from outboundary stations normally get zone 1-6 travelcards included which gives a fantastic number of options but TOC-specific ranger deals anywhere in the South-east commuting area are few and not that useful anyway.

Indeed. That's why the old network days were so good. I can see things might be more difficult on InterCity type TOC's, but then again EMT did manage to do its red dot days, so perhaps its not that difficult.

 

[Hellfire]

Why don't you read a book or a newspaper, or would that be tantamount to "living in a cave"

Many people, me included, read books and newspapers on a tablet. Is that 'living in a cave?'

 

[hulabaloo]

Only have day-to-day experience of SWT and Southeastern but would love SE to adopt SWT's practice of adding train lengths to the scrolling platform displays. Not earth-shattering but would just help in a small way.

They sometimes do. And it's usually wrong!

 

[Bletchleyite]

I think it was about ten years ago I went to visit a friend by using Eurostar to Brussels. The service got quite late and we were told by Eurostar that we would be able to clam a free one way ticket. I thought damn - now I will have to pay for another single to visit my friend again before he moves again. I need not have worried as the train back was something like 5 hours late !. Now I wonder how many other TOCs could afford to do that or at least what sort of delay would trigger it.

Er, almost all of them, and a delay of an hour or more? OK, it's a voucher, but what are you going to buy with it?

 

[Blindtraveler]

If anything standard delay repay is better as I can then put it on my Oyster or hav a cheeky little WEF upgrade.

 

[Doctor Fegg]

GWR's part-time seasons in Devon and Cornwall, limited to particular days of the week.

SWT's labelling of "Quiet Coach" on the exterior doors.

And LM's reasonable turn-up-and-go fares!

 

[wimbledonpete]

They sometimes do. And it's usually wrong!

Haha! Yes, maybe I should have added "on the proviso that it's right"!

 

[thejuggler]

For me, it's got to be WiFi access. Scotrail are, in my opinion, leaders in this field. They provide free WiFi on most of their trains and a large amount of their stations. I have yet to see another TOC (not saying they're not out there as I haven't experienced them all) push the boat out as much for free WiFi access. This is a personal bugbear of mine. WiFi should be free everywhere for everyone. It is the biggest advertising tool there ever has been. If advertising can't pay for free widespread internet access to a global client base of literally billions of potential customers then it is time to go back to living in caves.

No idea how Scotrail is set up, but I know getting wi-fi onto the Airedale line services out of Leeds was an absolute nightmare, unless you are a lawyer!

The problem is the number of parties actually running the railways. The service may be free to use, but someone has to pay and manage the infrastructure.

Network Rail have to agree to kit being fitted on their property, Northern operate the services so have to agree, but they don't own the rolling stock so leasing companies have to agree. Northern manage stations so have to agree.

Funding was from both DCMS and West Yorkshire Metro who need to ensure all is OK.

In the end the project was over 12 months late.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

Northern do well (yes, there are some things they can be congratulated on) putting detailed information about 'where to catch rail replacement buses' in each of their timetable leaflets.

This should be mandatory for all operators.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Having had a Northern RRB on Tyne Valley yesturday Id go further and say that their RRB opperations are IMO the best of them all - well run, efficiant and yes the stop info is good. Bit ironic really given that Northern isnt run by a Bus Company unlike many others

 

[cf111]

No idea how Scotrail is set up, but I know getting wi-fi onto the Airedale line services out of Leeds was an absolute nightmare, unless you are a lawyer!

The problem is the number of parties actually running the railways. The service may be free to use, but someone has to pay and manage the infrastructure.

Network Rail have to agree to kit being fitted on their property, Northern operate the services so have to agree, but they don't own the rolling stock so leasing companies have to agree. Northern manage stations so have to agree.

Funding was from both DCMS and West Yorkshire Metro who need to ensure all is OK.

In the end the project was over 12 months late.

ScotRail and Network Rail in Scotland basically have a united front in the "ScotRail Alliance" - the mechanics of which I'm unsure of!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Haha! Yes, maybe I should have added "on the proviso that it's right"!

LM do it and it normally is.

Actually, another one for LM - publishing formation length in the timetable (albeit for some reason only in the pocket excerpt ones and not in the main one). Very useful when selecting a train.

Example: http://www.londonmidland.com/download/114195.9/northampton-euston/

Must admit that while I don't know if this was one of his ideas, David Whitley introduced a number of very passenger-friendly initiatives to LM during his time there.

 

[pdeaves]

PlusBus and encouraging links to 'non-railway' places come straight to mind. I do wish, however, that such schemes could be led on occasion by 'others'. It always seems to come from the railway budget but could just as easily come from bus company, council or anyone else's budget.

So, not specifically 'should be copied by another TOC', but 'should be copied by other industries'.

 

[Doctor Fegg]

Actually, another one for LM - publishing formation length in the timetable (albeit for some reason only in the pocket excerpt ones and not in the main one). Very useful when selecting a train.

Similarly, their list of the busiest trains: http://www.londonmidland.com/your-journey/more/finding-a-seat/

 

[JohnR]

The thing that gets me is why DONT TOCs copy things from other TOCs? Its almost as if they want to be different, even if that means not helping passengers.

 

[ComUtoR]

They sometimes do. And it's usually wrong!

Considering the number of these signs I see per day your well off the mark. They are usually accurate.

If you do see one that is wrong on a regular basis please bring it to the attention of staff.

 

[alb1]

If anything standard delay repay is better as I can then put it on my Oyster or hav a cheeky little WEF upgrade.

I'd like Delay Repay in the first place, let alone anything beyond that.