East Midlands franchise won by Abellio

[bunnahabhain]

The uniform is literally the same as National Express had, just different colours.

The uniform is alright, it looks smart, it is traditional. The only issue really is that it seems designed to make you sweat when its hot!

 

[MichaelAMW]

I'm up for criticism of any company but... the fact that the EMT uniform is the same as the old MM uniform (but in different colours) seems a fairly thin criticism to make.

One of the things that people grumble about when a new TOC comes along is that money is being spent on things like signage/ timetables/ staff uniforms are being replaced - I could understand the complaint if EMT staff in 2019 were still forced to wear the same pair of trousers they were allocated under National Express in the 1990s though!

In any case, uniforms are worn day in, day out, so need to be repalced regularly. In my one previous job where I had a uniform we were actually allowed some items on an annual basis, e.g. shirts, and others two yearly, e.g. the jacket/coat "thing" we had. I didn't stay long enough to worry about that... In the grand scheme of things, replacing all the uniform in a year is a pretty minor matter.

 

[Kneedown]

The uniform is alright, it looks smart, it is traditional. The only issue really is that it seems designed to make you sweat when its hot!

The quality is abysmal though.

 

[cactustwirly]

The uniform is alright, it looks smart, it is traditional. The only issue really is that it seems designed to make you sweat when its hot!

It doesn't look nearly as smart as the GWR or the GA uniform, which have a much newer design

 

[hooverboy]

In any case, uniforms are worn day in, day out, so need to be repalced regularly. In my one previous job where I had a uniform we were actually allowed some items on an annual basis, e.g. shirts, and others two yearly, e.g. the jacket/coat "thing" we had. I didn't stay long enough to worry about that... In the grand scheme of things, replacing all the uniform in a year is a pretty minor matter.

quite.
part of the job of train manager/guard etc is customer facing so presentation is very important.
Most TOC's make a point of this on the applications anyway,so will be fully aware that such personnel will need a fresh shirt/blouse every day and several sets of skirts/trousers/blazer/waistcoat if worn...and will need to be replaced regularly.

the designs may be crap(blame marketing team, sometimes hideous orange like easyjet works for brand association!..not my bag personally..I prefer the charcoal grey with small orange stripe in the tie/cravatte,it looks much more professional .However in an emergency situation the hideous orange has its benefits of being able to easily identify a staff member/marshall) but a bit of thought will have been given to presentable but functional by procurement.That bit at least should be consistent.
The quality/upkeep of the footwear does seem rather variable..some seem to be in need of a bit of spit+polish, but again that is ultimately down to the individual wearing it....along with properly ironed shirts/trousers!

 

[Anthony ross]

Given what people think of stagecoach running EMT you wait until Abellio take over it’s going to get a lot worse I used to use Abellio greater Angila on a daily basis and since they took over from the previous operating company the service has majorly gone down hill trains are always late and they love their rail replacements services

 

[atraindriver]

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[yorksrob]

Meanwhile, passengers will be interested in whether they can get a (reasonably) comfortable seat, on a (reasonably) reliable train for a reasonable price.

That's what it boils down to.

 

[atraindriver]

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[M7R]

From local MP Anna Soubry,

Nottingham and Change UK MP Chris Leslie and I met Abellio, the new operators of the East Midlands railway franchise this morning. We discussed a number of issues including their plans for new 'rolling stock'. It will take just over three years before we see the new bi-mode trains on the Midland Mainline to London. Some of the old local trains will also be replaced with more up-to-date carriages. I also asked Abellio to commit to supporting the Friends of Beeston Station campaign to ensure access for all through the installation of lifts on the platforms; it turns out they have already met. Abellio are awaiting final approval from the Government and I will be holding them to account to make sure our local services and stations are improved.

Another spin on the sprinters, that sounds like 158s are staying rest are being replaced with some other used trains that are a little newer...

No word on the other issues other than waiting for gov to sign off...

 

[DanDaDriver]

Personally as a passenger I can sit comfortably on a 153/6/8

However I can only sit hunched over at an angle on 170’s.

 

[M7R]

I’m hoping that if Abellio do take over they don’t sap the life out of the staff. My little lad and me enjoy days out on the train and mostly on the EMT network, and the vast majority of the staff are brill with my 6 year old, he loves talking to the Guard as he hands over our tickets, and waving at the drivers. He also likes it’s when we are out down Attenborough or other places watching the trains how most of the EMT drivers will wave and toot, (XC is a lot rather that they wave or toot it seems).. I’m hoping that side of things stays and the new regime don’t remove all the joy...

 

[whhistle]

No it isn't. It's the South West Trains uniform, rebadged.

Yes it is
What you see is South West Trains spare uniform that got transferred up when that TOC finished. However, there was a lot of it to be fair.

 

[whhistle]

I'm up for criticism of any company but... the fact that the EMT uniform is the same as the old MM uniform (but in different colours) seems a fairly thin criticism to make.

I understand this, but it's just one example I know of from when I spoke to someone.
If something as simple as this was too difficult/costly to change, I wonder what other basic things there are.

 

[43074]

I understand this, but it's just one example I know of from when I spoke to someone.
If something as simple as this was too difficult/costly to change, I wonder what other basic things there are.

It was a new uniform in Stagecoach corporate colours, the National Express MML uniform was a dark blue/green hue if I remember rightly. Plus changing uniforms is far from "simple" and "basic", plenty of hours of work go into the design and union approval before, before hundreds of garments have to be rolled out across the business. Even if individual jackets or trousers are of cheap quality, the sheer quantity required doesn't make it a cheap exercise at all.

 

[yorksrob]

Indeed. But a company which supplies shoddy uniforms to its staff (in order to reduce costs to the bare minimum) is equally likely to consider it acceptable to be supplying a shoddy service to its customers; it's all part of the same mindset.

Perhaps true, but I've heard varipus aesthetic concerns raised about EMT over the years (including some from myself), yet on the main lines at least, they've tended to get the basics right.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Personally as a passenger I can sit comfortably on a 153/6/8

However I can only sit hunched over at an angle on 170’s.

There's a wide variety of different 170 seat types and layouts. Who ended up with the original MML ones? Those were the worst for (lack of) legroom.

 

[bunnahabhain]

There's a wide variety of different 170 seat types and layouts. Who ended up with the original MML ones? Those were the worst for (lack of) legroom.

CrossCountry got them, I do recall hearing that the legroom on the 170/1 fleet was substandard as delivered and should have been changed but never was.

 

[Jozhua]

CrossCountry got them, I do recall hearing that the legroom on the 170/1 fleet was substandard as delivered and should have been changed but never was.

The 170s are an awkward fleet! The seats feel really low down which doesn't help and the legroom is unexpectedly small for such a modern fleet. And to burn the candle from both ends, the seats aren't of sufficient height to rest your head if you are of a taller stature.

 

[Mugby]

Obviously a new livery will be applied to the entire fleet in due course.

Is this likely to be all over dirty white with red doors?

 

[cactustwirly]

Perhaps true, but I've heard varipus aesthetic concerns raised about EMT over the years (including some from myself), yet on the main lines at least, they've tended to get the basics right.

Really? They haven't got the 'basics' as right as VT, GWR, GR etc
Their mainline operation is a bit like shabby version of XC, but the regional stuff is actually alright.
They're almost the opposite of GWR, which is like an intercity operator trying to run regional trains (badly)
Whereas EMT is a bit like a regional operator trying to run an Intercity service, it's a very poor experience compared to the other IC TOCs, often with more expensive fares as well!
I'm hoping that Abellio can bring the IC side up to scratch, the Norwich services on GA seem a lot better than EMT

 

[cactustwirly]

Obviously a new livery will be applied to the entire fleet in due course.

Is this likely to be all over dirty white with red doors?

We don't know, WMT wasn't at all in corporate Abellio white

 

[thenorthern]

Has it been announced who will take over Liverpool to Nottingham given the Liverpool to Norwich will be split at a later date? When the previous franchise was awarded there was talk of splitting it and having Firest TransPennie Express running it from Liverpool to Nottingham however given that now Northern run services to Nottingham (from Leeds) I would think it could be transferred to Northern.

 

[Killingworth]

Has it been announced who will take over Liverpool to Nottingham given the Liverpool to Norwich will be split at a later date? When the previous franchise was awarded there was talk of splitting it and having Firest TransPennie Express running it from Liverpool to Nottingham however given that now Northern run services to Nottingham (from Leeds) I would think it could be transferred to Northern.

If it has been decided it hasn't been announced.

It is more likely to be TPE to make it 2 semi-fast services an hour, but could be Northern when they
decide how a 3rd Sheffield-Manchester emi-fast core section can be added to the mix.

 

[td97]

Has it been announced who will take over Liverpool to Nottingham given the Liverpool to Norwich will be split at a later date?

Decided but not yet announced.

 

[thenorthern]

Someone asked me the other day if they expect the Crewe to Derby services to be extended to Manchester Airport again given that they are going to be extended to Nottingham again. I can't see that happening in the short term given a lack of spare capacity between Crewe and Manchester Airport.

The Crewe to Derby/Nottingham is going to have two coach trains apparently which will be good given that the current stock of Class 153s is worse than the stock used in 2000 when it was one of the first lines to get the new Class 170s.

I will be interested to see how much of the improvements get carried out as rail improvements in the East Midlands regularly seem to get canceled/delayed/reduced more than most areas as from my own observations governments past and present seem to hate the East Midlands.

 

[Jozhua]

Someone asked me the other day if they expect the Crewe to Derby services to be extended to Manchester Airport again given that they are going to be extended to Nottingham again. I can't see that happening in the short term given a lack of spare capacity between Crewe and Manchester Airport.

The Crewe to Derby/Nottingham is going to have two coach trains apparently which will be good given that the current stock of Class 153s is worse than the stock used in 2000 when it was one of the first lines to get the new Class 170s.

I will be interested to see how much of the improvements get carried out as rail improvements in the East Midlands regularly seem to get canceled/delayed/reduced more than most areas as from my own observations governments past and present seem to hate the East Midlands.

If they extend Crewe-Derby to Nottingham, at least I'll be able to reasonably get to Manchester from Long Eaton without having to use the Hope Valley Line!

 

[Along the bay]

We don't know, WMT wasn't at all in corporate Abellio white

That's because it wasn't their choice what livery they used it was the local authority's.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The 170s are an awkward fleet! The seats feel really low down which doesn't help and the legroom is unexpectedly small for such a modern fleet. And to burn the candle from both ends, the seats aren't of sufficient height to rest your head if you are of a taller stature.

The "wings" are a bit low but as long as they have the legroom I find them comfortable to slouch in. The legroom thing can be solved in an afternoon with a spanner.

 

[Jozhua]

The "wings" are a bit low but as long as they have the legroom I find them comfortable to slouch in. The legroom thing can be solved in an afternoon with a spanner.

Or in a few months with a bunch of spanners