There was an Avanti representative in the GMCA Metrolink and Rail Services Subcommittee meeting this morning. He explained that the reduced timetable is being introduced because of the high level of Omicron staff absence, which has been causing short notice cancellations. The cuts will enable a reliable service. He also said that Avanti patronage this month has dropped to only 40-45% of the pre-pandemic level, compared with 65-70% in December, so they are confident there will be sufficient capacity. Where possible, they will look to put on additional services for special events (e.g. football matches). Although the reduced timetable is expected to be in place until 25 February, Avanti will review it week by week.
greatermanchester-ca.public-i.tv
They've cancelled very few services this week from EUS so far this week but maybe thats because staff are back covering which isn't sustainable. That said its pretty evident that SWR whose reduce service comes in next week as they've been more than able to deliver nigh on 100% everyday. The risk here is DofT won't let them increase services until they are convinced people are travelling some might say thats smart but if you want to get passengers back they need to be incentivised by a reasonable frequency of service.There was an Avanti representative in the GMCA Metrolink and Rail Services Subcommittee meeting this morning. He explained that the reduced timetable is being introduced because of the high level of Omicron staff absence, which has been causing short notice cancellations. The cuts will enable a reliable service. He also said that Avanti patronage this month has dropped to only 40-45% of the pre-pandemic level, compared with 65-70% in December, so they are confident there will be sufficient capacity. Where possible, they will look to put on additional services for special events (e.g. football matches). Although the reduced timetable is expected to be in place until 25 February, Avanti will review it week by week.
See webcast below, from 53:45:
Greater Manchester Transport Committee - Friday 14 January 2022, 10:30am - Start video at 0:53:45 - Greater Manchester Combined Authority Public meetings : Webstreaming
Greater Manchester Transport Committee - Friday 14 January 2022, 10:30am - Start video at 0:53:45 - Greater Manchester Combined Authority Public meetings : Webstreaming
Avanti said that the 25 Feb end date for the reduced timetable had been chosen because there were "rumblings" that the WFH guidance would be rescinded from that date, so patronage was expected to recover. Presumably the "rumblings" came from the direction of the DfT.
I suspect that probably was view before Xmas given the modellers view of how Omicron would play out but as we can see an improved outcome is looking more probably now so that guidance may get rescinded well before then. I suspect DofT won't get told much earlier than joe public as they seem to be reacting to the situation at the moment and making changes at a few days notice. One would hope operators are pushing DofT to be allowed to have a recovery timetable ready to go as fast as they can resource it so they are prepared.
Telegraph headline tomorrow indicating that restrictions won't be extended on 26th Jan and WFH guidance will be dropped as well. Will DofT get ahead of the curve or wait for overcrowding to occur before conceding reinstatingl trains.
AWT ran nigh on 99% of the planned schedule yesterday so presumably train crew are doing a lot of voluntary shifts which isn't sustainable.
It will but if your managing train crew you can't rely upon staff having two negative LFT tests on day 4 & 5 so at best will only provide additional spare resources. What would be more interesting to know is what level of train vacancy levels they are working to as the service provision next week suggests it must be 30-40% which is way beyond reality of the current situation.
It does risk becoming a self fulling prophecy, fewer trains results in more people making fewer journeys or giving up on the railways for good, meaning demand never recovers, hence the reductions become permanent.
(Anytime Return so no fixed train)I've noticed that my usual train from Birmingham International to London Euston is now not running - the 0640 - so I have to catch the 0630 LNWR train and change at Rugby onto the 0659 Avanti train ex Lancaster to still reach Euston at the same time. Quite bad form that the morning Birmingham direct Avanti services are only now at 0618 and 0721 for me to reach Euston before 0900. The return leg tomorrow will be fun
I've always found the Lime St to Euston service very busy, I get on at Runcorn. Avanti were promising 2 per hour. The second service I believe was to call at South Parkway, but maybe not Runcorn.
Still the plan with class 807s.
That would be marvelous and save me no end of time. When is this scheduled please?
I don’t think there’s any particular timescale as these things tend to slip. Once the first of the fleet are built & testing/commissioning starts on the WCML then perhaps more information will be released.
1A32 1215 MAN-EUS CAPE today due to 2 unit failures.There was an Avanti representative in the GMCA Metrolink and Rail Services Subcommittee meeting this morning. He explained that the reduced timetable is being introduced because of the high level of Omicron staff absence, which has been causing short notice cancellations. The cuts will enable a reliable service. He also said that Avanti patronage this month has dropped to only 40-45% of the pre-pandemic level, compared with 65-70% in December, so they are confident there will be sufficient capacity. Where possible, they will look to put on additional services for special events (e.g. football matches). Although the reduced timetable is expected to be in place until 25 February, Avanti will review it week by week.
See webcast below, from 53:45:
Greater Manchester Transport Committee - Friday 14 January 2022, 10:30am - Start video at 0:53:45 - Greater Manchester Combined Authority Public meetings : Webstreaming
Greater Manchester Transport Committee - Friday 14 January 2022, 10:30am - Start video at 0:53:45 - Greater Manchester Combined Authority Public meetings : Webstreaming
