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

[zuriblue]

My TOC (SBB) has a number of things that I'd like to see in the UK but it's not likely (simple fare structure, consistent TVMs, timetables and fare systems integrated with other transport systems, screens at stations so that the buses will wait for a delayed service etc) but there are a few things that work well.

On the SBB app when you look up a train there is a graphic next to each station that shows the normal load at that station - whether it's crowded or not.

On the platform CIS the train formation is shown and where each class is (platforms are divided into sectors A,B,C,D). On LCD CIS the actual formation is shown, on the older split flap CIS it just shows the sectors.

TVMs have a common interface and sell tickets for all transport modes. For instance at my local station there are SBB machines and also machines from the local transport partnership (A-Welle since I live in Aargau) The A-Welle machines sell train as well as bus tickets and the SBB machines sell every ticket known to man. The latest SBB machines give change up to 99.99 CHF.

Finally, obviously, I'd love to see the Halbtax (half fare rail card available to anyone who's willing to pay 150CHF) and the Reka checks (discounted rail checks that you can get through your employer and use like cash on any transport application)

Then again, the Swiss are serious about public transport and have even voted in favour of a tax increase to fund rail infrastructure.

 

[Bletchleyite]

On the SBB app when you look up a train there is a graphic next to each station that shows the normal load at that station - whether it's crowded or not.

Yes, I think we should definitely use that in the UK. It's nice that LM show the formations on the timetable, as you can near assume 4-car = full and standing, 8-car = all seats taken and a few standees, 12-car = plenty of seats, but that isn't universally the case, and while they do publish loading data many TOCs don't. I have on many occasions used loading data to drive my choice of train on SBB, or of whether to travel 1st or not. (I hate the EW IV A seats, so would only ever go 1st on those if 2nd is likely to be very busy).

On the platform CIS the train formation is shown and where each class is (platforms are divided into sectors A,B,C,D). On LCD CIS the actual formation is shown, on the older split flap CIS it just shows the sectors.

That would be good as well, and could be done on the orange LED displays, but even better on newer TV based ones like the ScotRail ones. VT (WC) are now doing it in text, though, with numbered platform sectors, while EC are putting up "bus stop signs" showing where each coach should be. Doesn't overly matter how it is done as long as it is done.

TVMs have a common interface and sell tickets for all transport modes.

The UI is also quite intuitive. Not quite as good as the Dutch UI but still pretty good.

Then again, the Swiss are serious about public transport and have even voted in favour of a tax increase to fund rail infrastructure.

Which brings me onto another thing - designing the infrastructure for the service, which is something the UK is totally incapable of doing, leaving us with nonsensical setups like the loop locations on Watford-St Albans or indeed the Island Line.

 

[mark-h]

On the SBB app when you look up a train there is a graphic next to each station that shows the normal load at that station - whether it's crowded or not.

Virgin Trains East Coast have a seat availability checker on their website. Customers need to search by route and travel class.

I don't know if it is accurate or not.

 

[infobleep]

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.

Given that the underground has WiFi, I am surprised that the major London terminals don't, unless they do and I've just not noticed.

Clapham Junction definitely doesn't and that's Britain's busiest railway station with often poor mobile data reception on O2. When waiting for South West Trains fast mainline services to restart after the evening peak rush hour it would be nicevto be able to browse the Internet or even work out if their is a slower train that might be quicker than hanging around for another 40 minutes. Or perhaps even do some work.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Then again, the Swiss are serious about public transport and have even voted in favour of a tax increase to fund rail infrastructure.

I would gladly pay more tax to fund public transport. Can't see it happening though. No way.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

No FC on the new Borders railway or the newish Helensburgh to Edinburgh, which is twice as long as Kings Cross to Peterborough and that stopping service has FC.

Perhaps they feel not enough passengers want first class compared to Peterborough to Kings Cross.

Saying that I'm surprised the Guildford to Waterloo line via Cobham doesn't have first class but again they must feel their is no need, vers removing it from another line that would otherwise have it.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

FGW are rolling out free wifi for all, like ScotRail, but these freely available systems mean that you are unlikely to get a good connection, too many people on.

I don't have a problem on the underground. Are there not many people using the Underground WiFi at the stations?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

One thing I would like to see more off (and this especially goes for Virgin Trains (West Coast) since I don't think they do this any more) is more named trains. I don't mean more specific units/locomotives that are named, I mean more train services that are named (e.g. Flying Scotsman, Golden Hind, Bristolian, etc)

I'd love to see the Night Scotsman service name return but sadly there is no need for additional night services to Scotland so they'd have to rename one of the existing ones to cater for it.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

SWT has uncompromisingly persisted with the quiet coach for years. I was pleasantly surprised to find a quiet coach on four car commuter trains. The signage clearly prohibits the use of headphones, unlike VTWC's signage which almost promotes their use and leaves the ineffectual management wondering why this might create 'friction'.

I don't know why South West Trains don't have it on their 455 /456 services too, they get just as busy as some of the 450 and 444 services.

 

[ffm]

Infobleep = the Underground wifi is not on a moving train.............and the people using it are unlikely to be on for long so email checking is about it.......simples

 

[ComUtoR]

I would gladly pay more tax to fund public transport. Can't see it happening though. No way.

Quick question.

Are you willing to pay more tax to fund infrastructure, rolling stock, or TOC's ?

I was certainly of the belief that there was a move away from the taxpayer from funding the railway and more of funding from its passengers.

I would pay more tax if I had more control of were that was spent. Or if there was a system where tax revenue was ring fenced to go back directly into the industry.

 

[infobleep]

Quick question.

Are you willing to pay more tax to fund infrastructure, rolling stock, or TOC's ?

I was certainly of the belief that there was a move away from the taxpayer from funding the railway and more of funding from its passengers.

I would pay more tax if I had more control of were that was spent. Or if there was a system where tax revenue was ring fenced to go back directly into the industry.

Yes I would as long as it was ring fenced.

 

[The Prisoner]

VTWC let you select and change your seat selection airline-stylee now when booking on their website.

They also display info when boarding @ Euston as to which coaches have the most reservations on the departure board so you can head straight for the quieter ones.

 

[ComUtoR]

Yes I would as long as it was ring fenced.

Infrastructure/TOC/Stock...

However; cheers for the quick reply.

 

[DarloRich]

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.

Never mind the cup - it has Yorkshire tea inside it! Other TOC;s should dump Tetley and PG and whatever muck they serve and buy in Yorkshire Tea. Now.

 

[infobleep]

Infrastructure/TOC/Stock...

However; cheers for the quick reply.

Anything that benefits passengers across the country so I'm not just talking about the lines I use. The end result has to be passenger benefit.

 

[EbbwJunction1]

I'd like to see two things.

Firstly, I'd like to see more tables which can be folded into half to allow access and egress. I often find it quite difficult to get into a window seat at a table (which I prefer to use if I can get one) - especially on GWR 158s - and the opportunity to raise part of the table would be welcome. I've seen them on Eurostar and on some trains, but not enough.

The other thing I'd like to see is more work being done to clean up the trackside. I realise that Network Rail and their contractors often have to leave equipment in situ because it would be more costly to move it back and for, but I'm sure that there's a lot of it that has just been dumped - and it looks terrible!

I realise also that this isn't specifically for a TOC, but I would think that they ought to try to influence the people that are responsible, as I'm sure that they often get the blame from people who don't know the difference between a TOC and Network Rail.

 

[anti-pacer]

Northern's 'how do I look' stickers are a good way of reporting cleanliness issues dealt with

Just a pity they don't act on them. Northern's trains are scuzz buckets!

Mind you, it's the customers who travel on them who make them such a mess.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I'd like to see two things.

Firstly, I'd like to see more tables which can be folded into half to allow access and egress. I often find it quite difficult to get into a window seat at a table (which I prefer to use if I can get one) - especially on GWR 158s - and the opportunity to raise part of the table would be welcome. I've seen them on Eurostar and on some trains, but not enough.

The other thing I'd like to see is more work being done to clean up the trackside. I realise that Network Rail and their contractors often have to leave equipment in situ because it would be more costly to move it back and for, but I'm sure that there's a lot of it that has just been dumped - and it looks terrible!

I realise also that this isn't specifically for a TOC, but I would think that they ought to try to influence the people that are responsible, as I'm sure that they often get the blame from people who don't know the difference between a TOC and Network Rail.

It's even worse when the occupiers of those properties backing onto the line find it acceptable to use the railway as their personal dumping ground.

Some areas are especially bad for this. West Yorkshire and Glasgow to mention two.

 

[Howardh]

It's even worse when the occupiers of those properties backing onto the line find it acceptable to use the railway as their personal dumping ground.

I'm quite sure the occupying rats will be more than happy to pay the occupiers a visit to thank them for the additional food and shelter

 

[anti-pacer]

I'm quite sure the occupying rats will be more than happy to pay the occupiers a visit to thank them for the additional food and shelter

Which, on a serious note, makes you wonder why they do it.

 

[EbbwJunction1]

It's even worse when the occupiers of those properties backing onto the line find it acceptable to use the railway as their personal dumping ground. Some areas are especially bad for this. West Yorkshire and Glasgow to mention two.

I'm quite sure the occupying rats will be more than happy to pay the occupiers a visit to thank them for the additional food and shelter

Which, on a serious note, makes you wonder why they do it.

I don't know why NR don't seek to prosecute people for doing this.

There's a few areas on the eastern approaches to Cardiff from Newport where it is impossible for anyone to get access to the line side. Therefore anything that has been dumped must have been thrown over their back wall. Surely it can be proven that it comes from them, so why don't they do something about it?

 

[charley_17/7]

Merseyrail's Bike policy/attitude - any bike, anywhere, any train. Also the MtoGo concept - shame it was never developed elsewhere, given the huge amount of Sainsbury's Local/Tesco Express/Little Waitrose that are easily integrated within Petrol Stations.

 

[krus_aragon]

Given that most bus companies have daily bus tickets it could be fairly easy to have to buy one on the bud and then get that money discounted off the cost of a train ticket including plus bus. There would be a reasonable amount of paperwork to facilitate that but it would be less prone to people buying the cheaper plus bus tickets and then not buying the train element.

If a policy along those lines were to be implemented, it could be, say, buy a regular bus ticket, then allow the price of a single-fare bus ticket to be discounted against the rail and plusbus price. This is already permitted for customers wanting to buy the (bus & train) North Wales Rover ticket (but only the all-zones variety, sadly).

 

[Peter Sarf]

....

It's even worse when the occupiers of those properties backing onto the line find it acceptable to use the railway as their personal dumping ground.

Some areas are especially bad for this. West Yorkshire and Glasgow to mention two.

I really notice the amount of rubbish deposited on the railway right next to back garden boundaries between Tulse Hill and Herne Hill. How about putting up a 20ft fence to cut their light out.

 

[me123]

Virgin Trains East Coast have a seat availability checker on their website. Customers need to search by route and travel class.

I don't know if it is accurate or not.

Scotrail have a developing service "Less Busy Trains". It's not particularly comprehensive (Edinburgh to Glasgow is one of many notable omissions!), but has been quite significantly expanded so I suspect that it's going to cover most lines in the future. Interestingly, morning peak only (although I suspect that's when people are more likely to adjust their travel patterns - in the evening you just catch the first train home).

No FC on ... the newish Helensburgh to Edinburgh, which is twice as long as Kings Cross to Peterborough and that stopping service has FC.

There's no need or demand for FC. Helensburgh to Edinburgh may be a long route, but the reality is that it's made up of multiple smaller commuter flows and very few (if any) people stay on from end to end. It's not the same as a London commuter flow.

A train from Edinburgh to Helensburgh will initially take people away from Edinburgh, and as it heads West it starts to pick up Glasgow bound passengers. Once on the other side of Glasgow, it will primarily serve to take people away from Glasgow.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Really about time this data went in the journey planner - increasing numbers of TOCs have it.

 

[absolutelymilk]

At Lancaster station, Virgin have installed a small desk with office chairs in the lounge. It doesn't take up much space but is very handy for doing a bit of work, much more comfortable than trying to balance a laptop on one knee and some papers on the other!

 

[Stew998]

I really notice the amount of rubbish deposited on the railway right next to back garden boundaries between Tulse Hill and Herne Hill. How about putting up a 20ft fence to cut their light out.

Tempting to suggest throwing it back over the fence but I suppose you couldn't be sure the offender hasn't moved out and a new owner or occupier wouldn't be impressed...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Here on Southern it would be nice if the train length was accurate !

Quite, pretty much guaranteed to wind people up when they're waiting for the 10th coach and only 8 turn up when the board says there are 12! :roll:

As for free Wi-Fi access. I think that is heading towards a basic level of expectation. To argue against it is like suggesting we should only have windows in first class !.

Or wear more clothes so the heating can be turned off...

 

[Peter Sarf]

Tempting to suggest throwing it back over the fence but I suppose you couldn't be sure the offender hasn't moved out and a new owner or occupier wouldn't be impressed...

You arr right about the concern as to who's rubbish was it anyway. It just shows a lack of respect people have for their environment. Perhaps a few letters reminding people there will be CCTV. Perhaps a letter asking for contributions towards pest control (large pieces of rubbish are a home for rats).

Quite, pretty much guaranteed to wind people up when they're waiting for the 10th coach and only 8 turn up when the board says there are 12! :roll:

The worst thing with the train length being wrong is standing at the forward end of the platform not noticing that the short train has stopped several coaches short * . Next worst is watching the rear of the train sail past but at least one is aware it has arrived. Either way it means dashing to one end of the train along with four coach lengths of other prospective passengers. That helps the delays snowball. Can mean missing the train if the doors are closed sharp - and no one has bothered to block the doors .

Perhaps there should always be a policy of stopping short formed trains at the stop board appropriate for the normal/timetabled length of train. As then, at least, passengers are forewarned of the need to rush when they see the rear of their train go past them.

* = At East Croydon it is easy to miss the arrival of a short formed train as the curve of the platform means the front of the train is hidden behind the new stairs to the new bridge unless you are standing near enough to the platform edge.

Or wear more clothes so the heating can be turned off...

Actually I try to carry a long sleeved jacket in summer in case the air conditioning is on .
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

At Lancaster station, Virgin have installed a small desk with office chairs in the lounge. It doesn't take up much space but is very handy for doing a bit of work, much more comfortable than trying to balance a laptop on one knee and some papers on the other!

Who on earth sanctioned those seats - they are highly inappropriate. Should be "ironing boards" even in first class !. (See the thread about 387s various posts about seats)