Grand Central cancellations (03/10)

[Darren Measor]

Strikes again. Yet another train cancelled from Kings cross. The knock on effect being yet another dangerously overcrowded LNER train.

How do these companies keep their franchises?

 

[Darandio]

They aren't a franchise.

 

[Darren Measor]

Ah. Good to know.

Doesn't make it any less easier to despise them.

 

[Darandio]

I know it was a very basic answer.

They are an open access operator. Some will say that because of this, they can do whatever they like.

 

[Darren Measor]

I know it was a very basic answer.

They are an open access operator. Some will say that because of this, they can do whatever they like.

Sounds about right. They are the bane of my life. And will continue to be sadly.

 

[ianBR]

Well GC clearly do something right given they are consistently top of customer satisfaction rankings

 

[Darandio]

Well GC clearly do something right given they are consistently top of customer satisfaction rankings

I'm not sure they will be next time given the shambles of the last 6 months.

 

[Darren Measor]

Really? Are you being serious?

Over the last few months they have cancelled as many trains as they run.

You cannot rely on them to turn up now. Never.

On saying that it can't be that difficult to top these rankings.

 

[TMLB UK]

Looking at the figures though in the last 12 months you would have been worse off on LNER looking at their respective PPM, you would have been worse off on LNER in relation to cancellation and significan lateness and you would have been worse off on LNER for right time performance. All figures that are measured and recorded.

GC have a small fleet of terrible trains however.

If only the title said another failure of a Alstom Class 180 which is the truth. They have built trains in the year 2000 that are pretty terrible and that’s the problem here.

I say this as hull trains block the ECML with a class 180 at sandy completely stuck and another behind it ready to attempt a rescue. Awful trains!

 

[gazthomas]

A difficult situation, GC rely on dodgy class 180 DMUs and no longer have their HSTs to fall back on. Do they have plans for new stock? (I'm not sure). As an Open Access Operator they still have obligations to meet.

 

[Ianno87]

I know it was a very basic answer.

They are an open access operator. Some will say that because of this, they can do whatever they like.

Though long term poor performance risks damaging passenger confidence in them, thus risking revenue and their financial survival as a business.

 

[Darandio]

Though long term poor performance risks damaging passenger confidence in them, thus risking revenue and their financial survival as a business.

Indeed. But if you see how they have been handling their Twitter feed recently along with asking passengers to jump through ridiculous hoops to travel on alternative services, you'd be forgiven for think they no longer give a damn.

 

[swt_passenger]

A difficult situation, GC rely on dodgy class 180 DMUs and no longer have their HSTs to fall back on. Do they have plans for new stock? (I'm not sure). As an Open Access Operator they still have obligations to meet.

The class 180s are their new stock. They just took more of them on to standardise their fleet and remove the HSTs. A few people have suggested they are likely to take on the Hull Trains 180s when available as well...

 

[BluePenguin]

What is "Grand Central Trains" I cannot see who they are or find them to run trains anywhere. Is this some sort of joke? :-/

 

[Darandio]

What is "Grand Central Trains" I cannot see who they are or find them to run trains anywhere. Is this some sort of joke? :-/

Why would it be a joke if we are discussing their performance?

 

[BluePenguin]

Why would it be a joke if we are discussing their performance?

Because they don't appear to be running trains anywhere. I have found a list of currently running TOCs and they are not listed. What franchise do they operate?

 

[Darandio]

Because they don't appear to be running trains anywhere. I have found a list of currently running TOCs and they are not listed. What franchise do they operate?

They aren't a franchise, as per post #2 and #5. https://www.grandcentralrail.com/

They have been running for over a decade.

 

[Esker-pades]

Because they don't appear to be running trains anywhere. I have found a list of currently running TOCs and they are not listed. What franchise do they operate?

They are an Open Access Operator.

Grand Central's Website: https://www.grandcentralrail.com/
Wikipedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Central_(train_operating_company)

 

[BluePenguin]

They aren't a franchise, as per post #2. https://www.grandcentralrail.com/

They have been running for over a decade.

Interesting, I have never heard of them before. If they are not well known and have poor performance then it might just as well.

 

[BluePenguin]

They are an Open Access Operator.

Grand Central's Website: https://www.grandcentralrail.com/
Wikipedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Central_(train_operating_company)

Thanks for that I will have a read. Do open access operators have much less regulation and different rules to those who own franchises?

 

[47271]

Interesting, I have never heard of them before. If they are not well known and have poor performance then it might just as well.

They're only too well known in the areas they serve.

I used to travel on them quite a bit to and from Sunderland but always made sure that I put myself on HST services. Thankfully I don't need to do that trip so much now. If I do, I go via Newcastle to avoid the ghastly 180s. So I have no further need of this operator.

 

[TUC]

Strikes again. Yet another train cancelled from Kings cross. The knock on effect being yet another dangerously overcrowded LNER train.

How do these companies keep their franchises?

'Dangerously overcrowded' is s bit of an exaggeration.

 

[BluePenguin]

They're only too well known in the areas they serve.

I used to travel on them quite a bit to and from Sunderland but always made sure that I put myself on HST services. Thankfully I don't need to do that trip so much now. If I do, I go via Newcastle to avoid the ghastly 180s. So I have no further need of this operator.

Ahh yes there it nothing like an HST. I am glad you don't have to put up with bad performance anymore. If I ever have a reason to venture to that part of the North then I will make sure to avoid them.

I travelled on the ECML for the first time in 6 years back in August when I was travelling to Liverpool on one of the days Euston was shut. Not much has changed since the days of East Coast it seemed and LNER did not disappoint.

 

[TUC]

Interesting, I have never heard of them before. If they are not well known and have poor performance then it might just as well.

If you've made 566 posts and so presemably have an interest in rail, how can you not have heard of Grand Central?

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

Who are Grand Central?

 

[bussnapperwm]

Reading this, it seems Arriva have all but given up with rail

 

[geoffk]

I've used GC a few times between Halifax and KX and not had any problems with the 180s except non-functioning air-conditioning. And they always put passengers with advance purchase tickets in one coach, which is rammed and the others are mostly empty. I've always moved to a less crowded area and it's not been a problem.

 

[Darren Measor]

'Dangerously overcrowded' is s bit of an exaggeration.

That depends doesn't it?

The one I am currently on, now nearly empty, was so crowded leaving kings cross folk could not get to the toilets.

God help us if the thing had had to stop suddenly.

 

[Darandio]

That depends doesn't it?

The one I am currently on, now nearly empty, was so crowded leaving kings cross folk could not get to the toilets.

God help us if the thing had had to stop suddenly.

That one has been done many times here. The argument being that you are safer because you are crammed together.

 

[Surreytraveller]

That depends doesn't it?

The one I am currently on, now nearly empty, was so crowded leaving kings cross folk could not get to the toilets.

If that's your definition of dangerously overcrowded, you've never been on a London Underground train in rush hour