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SWT's carriage cuts: 'good housekeeping'?
- Thread starter WessexWarrior
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It's not a first. On weekends, First Great Eastern used to run almost all Southend and Metro trains as 8-car but when 'one's new TT took over most were reduced to 4-car. I don't know if it's changed back as that was a few years ago.
P156KWJ
Established Member
It's happened here with Skegness trains on weekdays. 99% of the time they were 2 car 156s or 158s, now a lot of them are 153s, and only about 20 people use them, so why not?
Obviously yo do get oddities in the early morning, I've had 4 cars on Lincoln-Market Rasen and 6 cars on a Nottingham-Derby train before
Obviously yo do get oddities in the early morning, I've had 4 cars on Lincoln-Market Rasen and 6 cars on a Nottingham-Derby train before
Just housekeeping. Some of the London commuter line services are quite empty off-peak, dragging around thin air costs a lot of money. Because trains are loaded in the UK 35% on average, this is why they need subsidy - although that rises to 50-70% on intercity lines.
The government wants the TOCs to pay premiums by 2012 and be a net contributor to the tax payer, so moves like this are inevitable. There is no point in running 12 coaches when you could be running 4.
The government wants the TOCs to pay premiums by 2012 and be a net contributor to the tax payer, so moves like this are inevitable. There is no point in running 12 coaches when you could be running 4.
Donny Dave
Established Member
I can see the sense in that. For instance, do the inner suburban loops need to be run with a pair of 455s all the time? On the few occasions I've caught a SWT service during the day, it has been nearly empty.
Also, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7831383.stm At least Damon's job is safe!
Also, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7831383.stm At least Damon's job is safe!
I don't see what the problem is. FSR always divide. That's why we've got lots of trains floating around in sidings outwith the peak time. North Clyde and Argyle services run as 3 carriage off peak and generally 6 carriage at the peak time, although there is a diagram going about that sees 6 carriages on Airdrie to Balloch services throughout the day. But for the most part, we run trains with as few carriages as possible.
Ever travelled on one of the off-peak 12 carriage trains to/from Alton? Passed one the other day. The unit at the country end couldn't have had more than about 5 people on it!
Only you would know
It changed back to 8s, then it went back to 4s, now its back at 8s.
The problem was the extra units would go in the sidings, then if the service went into disaster during the day it was difficult to rejoin the units, leaving 4 cars only in the peak.
Clactons were reduced to 4 cars off peak mid last year (Stansteds as well IIRC)
P156KWJ
Established Member
suppose it's a bit like 8 car London Midland 321s on Euston to Tring services at weekends too
so how do they intend to cope if there is a surge in demand during the day ?
e.g. everyone decides to go to the sales, or there is a sporting event on, such as a football match ?
As greateastern said, keeping the trains altogether throughout the day copes with these sort of issues !
e.g. everyone decides to go to the sales, or there is a sporting event on, such as a football match ?
As greateastern said, keeping the trains altogether throughout the day copes with these sort of issues !
90019
Established Member
I think they'd know about something like that and would make sure they had longer trains running.
Personally I can see complete sense in this; there's no point in running full length trains when there's no demand for them, it's just a waste of energy amd resources.
Not really. Mornings and evenings on Saturdays are very busy on NSE lines. When I often used to travel to Tring or Aylesbury trains were packed.
"The majority of jobs to go when South West Trains (SWT) sheds 10% of its staff are those of platform and ticket office workers, the BBC has learnt." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7834665.stm
tbtc
Veteran Member
Makes a lot of sense, as long as they can split/ join services at teh end of the morning peak/ start of the evening peak without much disruption.
I can't believe that the BBC are reporting this so badly.
They're moaning about the shorter trains; but it only affects services where the carriages are surplus to requirements!
They complain about the loss of jobs; fair enough, but it's a very Left Wing stance, which they should not be taking.
They claim that SWT are "the operator that increased fares by 6%". All services have seen said 6% rise, with unregulated fares actually rising by 7.2%, but there are worse companies out there!
They're moaning about the shorter trains; but it only affects services where the carriages are surplus to requirements!
They complain about the loss of jobs; fair enough, but it's a very Left Wing stance, which they should not be taking.
They claim that SWT are "the operator that increased fares by 6%". All services have seen said 6% rise, with unregulated fares actually rising by 7.2%, but there are worse companies out there!
Follow NXEA and bring in some sort of fares restriction to get the passengers to go away?
BamAndy
New Member
Following on from the above it is hoped that SWT will not allow the changes to affect the peaks. One night I travelled from Waterloo to Haslemere on a Four Vive 8 Class 450. Complete Misery particularly when you add leisure travellers into the mix the amount of people who have loads of luggage travelling on a peak service! seats are for people not luggage/bikes/shopping delete as applicable
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