New South Western franchise: Awarded to First/MTR

[Goldfish62]

My last 2 159 trips the wifi has connected super quick but constantly disconnects and so is basically as useless now as the rest of SWT. Even 159001 let me down and that is usually the most reliable. After 1 year of commuting with well over 95% success at wifi the whole way from Exeter to London this is a massive retrograde step. Also, unlike SWT, when they curtail the Exeter trains at Basingstoke they aren't holding back the 09 past Pompey train until 20 past to cover. SWT didn't do this every time but SWR don't seem to even think about it.

I am reliably informed that there have been no changes to the way disruption is handled, which is hardly surprising given that SWR has only been around for a few weeks. I imagine it'll be into next year before any changes are made.

 

[3141]

As we're discussing disruption, yesterday I planned to travel on the 12.20 from Overton to Waterloo, but I checked SWR's website at about 11.30 and it told me that this train was cancelled. So I drove to Basingstoke to get a train from there. The train I caught was the 12.30, which is the one I'd intended to get from Overton. It wasn't cancelled. I talked to the guard, who said it had been intended to terminate the train at Basingstoke because of problems at Waterloo, but these had been resolved and it was running through after all.

There's a big difference between "cancelled" and "will terminate at Basingstoke", and I've written to SWR's customer services to ask that they make sure the correct info is put on the website in future. But I'm not suggesting that this has anything to do with the change of franchise, since I'd expect that the people who provide this information, and their direct managers, are the same as the ones who were doing it previously.

 

[StephenHunter]

As we're discussing disruption, yesterday I planned to travel on the 12.20 from Overton to Waterloo, but I checked SWR's website at about 11.30 and it told me that this train was cancelled. So I drove to Basingstoke to get a train from there. The train I caught was the 12.30, which is the one I'd intended to get from Overton. It wasn't cancelled. I talked to the guard, who said it had been intended to terminate the train at Basingstoke because of problems at Waterloo, but these had been resolved and it was running through after all.

There's a big difference between "cancelled" and "will terminate at Basingstoke", and I've written to SWR's customer services to ask that they make sure the correct info is put on the website in future. But I'm not suggesting that this has anything to do with the change of franchise, since I'd expect that the people who provide this information, and their direct managers, are the same as the ones who were doing it previously.

I'd imagine that something got lost between Control and the SWR website...

 

[3141]

I'd imagine that something got lost between Control and the SWR website...

Sounds probable. But it does bring out the importance of having information that is completely explicit and unambiguous when it starts, and that the people who receive it and use it on the website should check very carefully what they publish.

 

[Olaf]

My last 2 159 trips the wifi has connected super quick but constantly disconnects and so is basically as useless now as the rest of SWT. Even 159001 let me down and that is usually the most reliable. After 1 year of commuting with well over 95% success at wifi the whole way from Exeter to London this is a massive retrograde step. Also, unlike SWT, when they curtail the Exeter trains at Basingstoke they aren't holding back the 09 past Pompey train until 20 past to cover. SWT didn't do this every time but SWR don't seem to even think about it.

Is the problem with the wifi signal within the carriage or the general mobile coverage along the route? You can check wifi signal strength with various apps and do a comparison of mobile coverage with handsets whenever you loose wifi signal. I would assume it is the mobile coverage that is the problem.

 

[infobleep]

Congestion on the suburban lines and points issue between Clapham Junction and Surbtion on the down fast today.

Just another day in the life of South Western Railway. They aren't ha interesting an easy ride but I imagine they expected such things, given how busy the network is.

 

[Wookiee]

Their online compensation page is completely up the chute already. Probably buckled under the early strain.

 

[infobleep]

Not surprisingly the track defeat between Clapham Junction and Surbiton will have to be fixed tonight. Thus disputing will last not until 12pm but end of service.

It's only the three fast trains an hour they are cancelling from Clapham Junction. Still it's not as if Clapham Junction has fewer fast services for a station of its size and importantance than it ideally should. Oh wait it does.

Before anyone replies, I do understand why it has less fast services stopping there normally than one might like.

 

[embers25]

Is the problem with the wifi signal within the carriage or the general mobile coverage along the route? You can check wifi signal strength with various apps and do a comparison of mobile coverage with handsets whenever you loose wifi signal. I would assume it is the mobile coverage that is the problem.

The wifi is usually much better than the mobile signal on the WoE route with coverage even in tunnels, except sometimes it drops through Honiton tunnel and also sometimes around Whitchurch and Gillingham. At least it used to be pre-SWR but the past two weeks it's been abysmal. Then again most of the time I'm just grateful for a train and that it gets me home less than an hour late!

 

[spark001uk]

Not surprisingly the track defeat between Clapham Junction and Surbtion will have to be fixed tonight. Thus disputing will last not until 12pm but end of service...

Not sure I've ever been to Surbtion, where's that?!

 

[infobleep]

Not sure I've ever been to Surbtion, where's that?!

Corrected my typo. If only Google or someone else would invent a universal spellchecker for Android.

Back on topic. Today there is a track credit failure affecting the lines into platforms 2 to 4 at Clapham Junction. Currently being worked in and estimated disruption is until 10.30.

Given the platforms are closed perhaps they can fix this one during the day.

Still disruption will occur during morning rush hour whatever happens.

Only four trains cancelled so far and some others terminated or started away from Waterloo. Not so bad.

 

[kw12]

Back on topic. Today there is a track credit failure affecting the lines into platforms 2 to 4 at Clapham Junction.

What is a track credit failure?

 

[The Ham]

What is a track credit failure?

I'm not sure, but it may have something to do with NR not being able to keep its "credit card".

 

[Monty]

I'm not sure, but it may have something to do with NR not being able to keep its "credit card".

That would be rather apt.

At this rate would be better to have degraded working with hand signallers than rely on the existing equipment.

 

[swt_passenger]

Corrected my typo. If only Google or someone else would invent a universal spellchecker for Android.

As you know it is useless then you need to check more thoroughly before posting. In the relevant post I'm sure you also have defeat for defect, and disputing for disruption...

The odd typo is one thing but I think you must be missing quite a lot of failed autocorrect attempts...

 

[HarleyDavidson]

Not sure I've ever been to Surbtion, where's that?!

Somewhere between Ambition and Contempt?

 

[FenMan]

Corrected my typo. If only Google or someone else would invent a universal spellchecker for Android.

I suggest you download the SwiftKey app and turn on its learning capability. Duff auto-completes will soon be a thing of the past.

 

[Adsy125]

Just got on the newly liveried 444(040) and the guard announced it as a 'South West Trains stopping service...':roll:. Surely it can be that hard when there are South Western Railway stickers everywhere outside and inside the train!

 

[Feathers44]

Just got on the newly liveried 444(040) and the guard announced it as a 'South West Trains stopping service...':roll:. Surely it can be that hard when there are South Western Railway stickers everywhere outside and inside the train!

After anything up to 21 years of saying the same thing day after day? You try it!

 

[class387]

Just got on the newly liveried 444(040) and the guard announced it as a 'South West Trains stopping service...':roll:. Surely it can be that hard when there are South Western Railway stickers everywhere outside and inside the train!

The guard on the first SWR 707 announced it as 'South West Trains service' too. He also announced for people to change for 'South Central' services at Clapham!

 

[bb21]

Just got on the newly liveried 444(040) and the guard announced it as a 'South West Trains stopping service...':roll:. Surely it can be that hard when there are South Western Railway stickers everywhere outside and inside the train!

So easy to criticise, isn't it?

Is it really such a big deal to you? Why the rolling eyes?

 

[The Ham]

After anything up to 21 years of saying the same thing day after day? You try it!

When I changed jobs a few years back it took me quite some time to stop wanting to say my old company's name when I answered the phone and I wasn't at my old company for even 15 years.

 

[HarleyDavidson]

So easy to criticise, isn't it?

Is it really such a big deal to you? Why the rolling eyes?

They say it because they are so absolutely amazing and perfect! :roll:

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

So easy to criticise, isn't it?

Is it really such a big deal to you? Why the rolling eyes?

Well, it's a bit obvious, isn't it?

 

[bb21]

Well, it's a bit obvious, isn't it?

What's obvious?

Unfortunately I'm a little thick in that department so you are welcome to explain to me what I missed.

 

[HarleyDavidson]

You didn't miss anything, so I can verify that you are completely sane.

 

[theironroad]

Just got on the newly liveried 444(040) and the guard announced it as a 'South West Trains stopping service...':roll:. Surely it can be that hard when there are South Western Railway stickers everywhere outside and inside the train!

I'm sure that made your day....

Surely it can't be that hard to understand that when people have been reciting the same script for 20 odd years, then a couple of weeks after the script changing slightly then people will be making mistakes.

Are you as equally critical about all those stickers and posters inside and outside the train that haven't been changed by the new management?

 

[Adsy125]

I'm apologize for any offense, I just found it a little amusing at the time.

Actually I was very impressed with the amount they've done inside and the SWR colours and livery are very smart and look much better in real life than pictures.

 

[Bletchleyite]

What has been done to the interior?

 

[TEW]

What has been done to the interior?

It's just new SWR branded signs and posters.