New South Western franchise: Awarded to First/MTR

[DanielGeorge]

Within an hour they've already managed to ruin things by pushing out the same broken app that GWR has been apologising for for 3 months... with none of the problems fixed.

 

[JaJaWa]

Some improvements I noticed mentioned throughout the new website…

• 30 minute+ delay repay from 4 September 2017
• 15 minute+ delay repay from December 2017
• automatic delay repay in January 2019
• new smartcard based on First 'touch'
• introduce pay-as-you-go to the smartcard in December 2019
• new Advance Purchase fares to London from 33 stations
• create a new virtual branch line between Fareham and Gosport to allow locations without a rail connection to be linked into the National Rail timetable through an integrated connecting bus service
• upgrade First Class, provide complimentary refreshments and inductive charging for mobile devices
• complete heavy clean programme for all rolling stock within the first 100 days of the franchise
• create a partnership with Transport for London
• bright markings that match the doors where the train stops (like MTR)
• start the consultation phase of the process to deliver improvements for Island Line. This will include setting out a range of options to stakeholders for rolling stock and infrastructure, before submitting ideas to the Government next year.
• confirmation the logo represents the network map (also animation here https://twitter.com/SW_Help/status/899098638378520576)

 

[antharro]

App seems to be working for me. :-\ I was going to grab a copy of their banner picture on Twitter but I accidentally refreshed the page before saving it and bam, it was gone!

 

[Mainline421]

Done my last journey on SWT this morning :cry: 1B81 00:05 London Waterloo to Southampton Central. There was a special headboard substitute in the cab window (as it was a 450) and messages on the station CIS. At Waterloo the guard actually initially announced it as "The 00:05, First South Western Service to Southampton Central..." I informed him that the franchise change over was not actually until 02:00 and from then on no company name or acknowledgement was mentioned in the announcements unfortunately, automated announcements continued to say SWT though. Technically traveled with SSWT later than any else here though as I alighted from a replacement bus less than an hour ago. Photos and video will be posted across Flickr and YouTube later today.

 

[Edgemaster]

And it looks like the first SWR service has been cancelled due to overrunning engineering...
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/W37098/2017/08/20/advanced

 

[Cavan]

You like being officious to rail staff then?

Done my last journey on SWT this morning :cry: 1B81 00:05 London Waterloo to Southampton Central. There was a special headboard substitute in the cab window (as it was a 450) and messages on the station CIS. At Waterloo the guard actually initially announced it as "The 00:05, First South Western Service to Southampton Central..." I informed him that the franchise change over was not actually until 02:00 and from then on no company name or acknowledgement was mentioned in the announcements unfortunately, automated announcements continued to say SWT though. Technically traveled with SSWT later than any else here though as I alighted from a replacement bus less than an hour ago. Photos and video will be posted across Flickr and YouTube later today.

 

[swt_passenger]

Sorry to be a pain, I've been dipping in and out of the thread.
Do SWR propose any changes to routes via Hedge End?

Nothing seen so far. There was no change required for that route in the ITT. Could be later through services, or changes to Sundays - but that seems a general thing across the entire range of routes.

 

[Goldfish62]

So one of the best tocs that time and time again has come top in passenger satisfaction ratings is being replaced

First mtr have to maintain high standards

The 442s returning are a positive at least

I am surprised longer franchises are still not favoured given the higher level of investment afforded



Certainly seemed professional and well managed with a high standard of train presentation ie the basics

SWT has never been top in passenger satisfaction ratings. It's either been average or in the worst half.

 

[43096]

SWT has never been top in passenger satisfaction ratings. It's either been average or in the worst half.

That is not surprising given the nature of the operation. It's predominantly a commuter railway, so passengers are using it to get to and from work - a journey they have to make rather than one they necessarily want to make.

 

[StephenHunter]

So the logo... looks odd but so probably was the BR one when that appeared.

 

[BestWestern]

SWT has never been top in passenger satisfaction ratings. It's either been average or in the worst half.

They were a hell of a lot better than most of the other commuter efforts coming out of London. A hell of a lot!

 

[BestWestern]

Done my last journey on SWT this morning :cry: 1B81 00:05 London Waterloo to Southampton Central. There was a special headboard substitute in the cab window (as it was a 450) and messages on the station CIS. At Waterloo the guard actually initially announced it as "The 00:05, First South Western Service to Southampton Central..." I informed him that the franchise change over was not actually until 02:00 and from then on no company name or acknowledgement was mentioned in the announcements unfortunately, automated announcements continued to say SWT though.

It isn't called 'First South Western', surely? Just South Western Railway?

 

[skyhigh]

Maybe he meant it was the first service of the new franchise, rather than First's service?

 

[XDM]

You like being officious to rail staff then?

Nothing wrong with what Mainline said. It seems Cavan's comment is designed to scare off from the Forum anyone who dares to criticise Rail staff. Friends & I have seen it many times here. Take heart Mainline. Don't be put off, those civilised people who still follow the forum for the informed comment from non momentum contributors enjoyed your enthusiasm & posting.

 

[infobleep]

I quite liked my April Fools mock-up

• Saved on the need to quickly repaint red trains
• Referenced the original LSWR route branding and colour scheme
• Referenced First and MTR's involvement (First's GWR brand and MTR's colour scheme)

I will admit to preferring this. Not so keen in the new one fro SWR. I'm sure they spent time on the branding though, as it will be around for some years.

Maybe the trains themselves will look nice.

 

[moley]

I will admit to preferring this. Not so keen in the new one fro SWR. I'm sure they spent time on the branding though, as it will be around for some years.

Maybw the trains themselves will look nice.

I prefer this too. However given the red trains aren't staying I doubt that was a consideration.

 

[infobleep]

There will a Desiro branded from September 4 I believe

If that genuine, I'm not keen. I'm generally less keen on black. I prefer bright colours myself. Hey blue, red, orange and yellow can look nice together!

 

[Adsy125]

I've noticed their own booking system shows their trains as still being operated by Southwest Trains...

 

[Damo1977]

SWR service is being displayed on the DMI, and the automated announcements are saying "South Western Railway Service". At Andover at least. Announcements here are in the new voice.

Train has no passenger information being displayed.

 

[infobleep]

It's a 455 taking the last ever train
https://twitter.com/L1Group/status/899068165950500864:cry:

Whilst I wouldn't miss a 455 with its lack of loos, I reckon I could miss SWT. However if SWR do well maybe I won't miss them.

I did wonder what was or would be the first train to have a minor delay on SWR? It's My service from Aldershot [not Farnham as I previously stated] last night was a couple of minutes late leaving.

That's not meant to be a criticism, just a fact. I the boarded a train at Aldershot and sat in first class declassified for one final time under SWT. It falt slightly sad to see SWT go. I certainly wouldn't feel the same about GTR.

Here are some photos of the screens and also a few posters that won't be around for much longer if they aren't already gone. Apologies for some of the poor images. It was the best I could do.

Edit: for those who can't view the images, the screens say:
Goodbye South West Trains
SWT
1996 - 2017

I then included a picutre of the departure screen showing the Aldershot to Guildford train being delayed.

Anothee screen says:
Goodbye from South West Trains 1996 - 2017

A further one says:
Goodbye from South West Trains 1996 - 2017"delayed" however all trains are running On Time.

I also included a doors will close 30 seconds before departure poster and a small poster giving the opening times of the side doors on the Guildford footbridge. That's for commuters heading to or from the Farnham Road Car Park.

 

[Thisisajm]

Nectar points!

 

[Class455]

SWR service is being displayed on the DMI, and the automated announcements are saying "South Western Railway Service". At Andover at least. Announcements here are in the new voice.

Train has no passenger information being displayed.

What new voice? Would love to be hearing ATOS Anne at SWR Stations following Phil Sayer's death, and even though I prefer his announcements, he cannot make new ones for SWR obviously

 

[Damo1977]

What new voice? Would love to be hearing ATOS Anne at SWR Stations following Phil Sayer's death, and even though I prefer his announcements, he cannot make new ones for SWR obviously

The voice that it was changed to earlier this year, under SWT. They were starting to change before the franchise change was announced.

 

[Damo1977]

Wimbledon Depot has the new logo on the side of it this morning. Didn't manage to get a photo.

 

[greaterwest]

What new voice? Would love to be hearing ATOS Anne at SWR Stations following Phil Sayer's death, and even though I prefer his announcements, he cannot make new ones for SWR obviously

Definitely don't want ATOS Anne anywhere near the SWR network.

The new announcements are a re-take of Celia Drummond.

 

[Damo1977]

Definitely don't want ATOS Anne anywhere near the SWR network.

The new announcements are a re-take of Celia Drummond.

Clapham is also saying "South Western Railway" on the automated announcements.

 

[Damo1977]

Clapham Junction announcement:

 

[Searle]

Some improvements I noticed mentioned throughout the new website…

• 30 minute+ delay repay from 4 September 2017
• 15 minute+ delay repay from December 2017
• automatic delay repay in January 2019
• new smartcard based on First 'touch'
• introduce pay-as-you-go to the smartcard in December 2019
• new Advance Purchase fares to London from 33 stations
• create a new virtual branch line between Fareham and Gosport to allow locations without a rail connection to be linked into the National Rail timetable through an integrated connecting bus service
• upgrade First Class, provide complimentary refreshments and inductive charging for mobile devices
• complete heavy clean programme for all rolling stock within the first 100 days of the franchise
• create a partnership with Transport for London
• bright markings that match the doors where the train stops (like MTR)
• start the consultation phase of the process to deliver improvements for Island Line. This will include setting out a range of options to stakeholders for rolling stock and infrastructure, before submitting ideas to the Government next year.
• confirmation the logo represents the network map (also animation here https://twitter.com/SW_Help/status/899098638378520576)

As far is I'm concerned, this makes me happy. Cannot believe SWT didn't have delay repay in 2017.

I know lots of people are Mourning SWT quite openly, but I'm really looking forward to seeing what SWR can do.

 

[XCTurbostar]

I'll just leave this here..

Not sure what is is from but saw it on Facebook so thought I'd repost here.

Thanks,
Ross

 

[Darandio]

I'll just leave this here..

Thanks,
Ross

It was already left several pages back, then repeatedly discussed and criticised.