Avanti West Coast performance statistics

[karlbbb]

I assume now could be a bad time to apply for AWC? (They're opening for trainee drivers next month).

I also appreciate this is an "unknown" question, but what would likely/reasonably happen to someone who got into their training/holding pool and then AWC were stripped of the franchise? Just weighing up the risks of applying next month...

 

[Trainbike46]

I assume now could be a bad time to apply for AWC? (They're opening for trainee drivers next month).

I also appreciate this is an "unknown" question, but what would likely/reasonably happen to someone who got into their training/holding pool and then AWC were stripped of the franchise? Just weighing up the risks of applying next month...

If you would want to work as a train driver I would go for it (I'm not in the industry)
The worst that can happen is that you don't get the job, which is the same outcome as if you didn't apply at all

 

[MDB1images]

I assume now could be a bad time to apply for AWC? (They're opening for trainee drivers next month).

I also appreciate this is an "unknown" question, but what would likely/reasonably happen to someone who got into their training/holding pool and then AWC were stripped of the franchise? Just weighing up the risks of applying next month...

Can't see AWC having any issues.
Apply for it,
A shortage of drivers will mean your ok for a very long time.
Regardless, most staff with will tell you moving a TOC to a different operater makes no difference to your day to day tasks/role and with experience is something you get used to in this industry.

 

[Willie Bee]

I am thinking about travelling to Glasgow from Newcastle, via Carlisle for a change of scenery to the normal LNER ECML route

If the Avanti service is so bad, maybe I should use it for my homeward leg, ie from Glasgow to Carlisle, then assume the Northern rail service to Newcastle is on time, rather than travelling to Carlisle and maybe having a long wait for a delayed Avanti train coming up from London

if certain days are bad .. I'm travelling to Glasgow on a Monday and returning on a Thursday. I was wanting to travel one direction on the ECML and the other on the WCML

 

[Bald Rick]

If the Avanti service is so bad, maybe I should use it for my homeward leg, ie from Glasgow to Carlisle, then assume the Northern rail service to Newcastle is on time, rather than travelling to Carlisle and maybe having a long wait for a delayed Avanti train coming up from London

Notwitshtanding what this thread might have you believe, the service is not that bad. It’s not great, but cancellations are much reduced compared to before Christmas.

Today for example, of the 50 or so Avanti passenger services due through Carlisle so far today, 35 have arrived within 5 minutes of booked time, 11 have been more than 5 minutes late (the latest being 17 minutes) and 2 have been cancelled. Yesterday, everything ran, and the latest train at Carlisle was 11 late.

as always ‘check before you travel’

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Notwitshtanding what this thread might have you believe, the service is not that bad. It’s not great, but cancellations are much reduced compared to before Christmas.

Today for example, of the 50 or so Avanti passenger services due through Carlisle so far today, 35 have arrived within 5 minutes of booked time, 11 have been more than 5 minutes late (the latest being 17 minutes) and 2 have been cancelled. Yesterday, everything ran, and the latest train at Carlisle was 11 late.

as always ‘check before you travel’

Yes they are much improved but Saturday was a PR disaster for them and thats what people (and politicians) will unfortunately judge them on if there not careful so they need a clean sheet from hereon in.

 

[BPN2022]

So the reason for Saturday being so bad was because the Annual Leave season coming to an end? Or was there something else?

 

[Lost property]

First, my apologies to the contributors on posts #62 / #63 for the delay in responding to your informative posts about "P" codes...thank you for the detail. It's easy to understand therefore how this option can be used for manipulation and, with hindsight, may well explain some unexpected cancellations I've experienced in the past.

I have another question please, which is relevant I feel.

I have to make a trip on the WCML on April 1st / 2nd. The National Rail site shows a warning that times and journeys may be affected by engineering works, as yet unspecified. How soon in advance would these be notified and the changes to any journey published please ?

Let me put it this way. I can drive, not a problem, but, my preference for this journey is rail travel

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

First, my apologies to the contributors on posts #62 / #63 for the delay in responding to your informative posts about "P" codes...thank you for the detail. It's easy to understand therefore how this option can be used for manipulation and, with hindsight, may well explain some unexpected cancellations I've experienced in the past.

I have another question please, which is relevant I feel.

I have to make a trip on the WCML on April 1st / 2nd. The National Rail site shows a warning that times and journeys may be affected by engineering works, as yet unspecified. How soon in advance would these be notified and the changes to any journey published please ?

Let me put it this way. I can drive, not a problem, but, my preference for this journey is rail travel

Therein lies an ongoing issue across the whole network that travellers can't book tickets at weekends very far ahead. Used to be mandated as 12wks but hasn't been that good for several years of course covid needed constant reworking to timetables and now we have the strikes upsetting the workload of the planners. Doesn't help you im afraid just have to keep checking back on operators websites.

 

[Merseysider]

Therein lies an ongoing issue across the whole network that travellers can't book tickets at weekends very far ahead. Used to be mandated as 12wks but hasn't been that good for several years of course covid needed constant reworking to timetables and now we have the strikes upsetting the workload of the planners. Doesn't help you im afraid just have to keep checking back on operators websites.

I do feel sorry for the planners. Yet I’ve managed to book London - Paris on E* for the end of July, and two hours down the road Paris - Stuttgart as well, and France is no stranger to industrial action. Stuttgart - Budapest for August 1st goes on sale next week. I don’t have an easy fix but our country is way behind a lot of mainland Europe, who also had covid and (some) strikes.

 

[Bald Rick]

First, my apologies to the contributors on posts #62 / #63 for the delay in responding to your informative posts about "P" codes...thank you for the detail. It's easy to understand therefore how this option can be used for manipulation and, with hindsight, may well explain some unexpected cancellations I've experienced in the past.

I have another question please, which is relevant I feel.

I have to make a trip on the WCML on April 1st / 2nd. The National Rail site shows a warning that times and journeys may be affected by engineering works, as yet unspecified. How soon in advance would these be notified and the changes to any journey published please ?

Let me put it this way. I can drive, not a problem, but, my preference for this journey is rail travel

Timings for that week nationally will be out in the next week or so. However Avanti are behind on their ‘Short Term Planning’ for engineering works because of a significant programme of works at Carstairs through the whole Spring. Avanti times may be a little later than the rest of the country as a result.

 

[jfollows]

I have another question please, which is relevant I feel.

I have to make a trip on the WCML on April 1st / 2nd. The National Rail site shows a warning that times and journeys may be affected by engineering works, as yet unspecified. How soon in advance would these be notified and the changes to any journey published please ?

Let me put it this way. I can drive, not a problem, but, my preference for this journey is rail travel

As Bald Rick has said, there is significant disruption caused by the work taking place at Carstairs then, but the WCML is more than 400 miles in length, can you be more precise in your question and you may find a response to help you further?
EDIT https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/serv...ntAndFuture.aspx?TravelDate=01/04/2023&TOC=vt will give you outline information but "This page will be updated as more information is made available for travel beyond the 19 March."

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Timings for that week nationally will be out in the next week or so. However Avanti are behind on their ‘Short Term Planning’ for engineering works because of a significant programme of works at Carstairs through the whole Spring. Avanti times may be a little later than the rest of the country as a result.

Carstairs has been the known about for sometime but i guess the planners got diverted onto all the unplanned industrial dispute changes and have fallen behind as a result.

 

[Bald Rick]

Well, yes

Carstairs has been the known about for sometime but i guess the planners got diverted onto all the unplanned industrial dispute changes and have fallen behind as a result.

well yes, but the possession footprint at Carstairs changed as well

 

[The Planner]

Carstairs has been the known about for sometime but i guess the planners got diverted onto all the unplanned industrial dispute changes and have fallen behind as a result.

One of the phases has just been extended by 5 days.

 

[Clarence Yard]

I assume now could be a bad time to apply for AWC? (They're opening for trainee drivers next month).

I also appreciate this is an "unknown" question, but what would likely/reasonably happen to someone who got into their training/holding pool and then AWC were stripped of the franchise? Just weighing up the risks of applying next month...

You will be safe to apply and it isn’t a “franchise” anymore. Avanti are just managing the TOC on behalf of the DfT. If Avanti don’t get the next contract, you will end up working for whoever the DfT gets in next. Your conditions of service will automatically transfer to that new company and if you are in training at the time, you won’t be affected.

 

[Lost property]

As Bald Rick has said, there is significant disruption caused by the work taking place at Carstairs then, but the WCML is more than 400 miles in length, can you be more precise in your question and you may find a response to help you further?
EDIT https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/currentAndFuture.aspx?TravelDate=01/04/2023&TOC=vt will give you outline information but "This page will be updated as more information is made available for travel beyond the 19 March."

Thanks to all who have replied to my query and have exposed an unknown, to me anyway, future possible complication.

My journey in April is basically Stockport - Stafford and whilst a direct service would be ideal, I have considered going via Crewe and using a selection of operators. Consequently, I will now monitor the link above and try and plan accordingly.

The future complication is a planned trip to Scotland, Glasgow then Gourock - Dunoon ferry and hence collected by my sister for onward travel...I intended this to be in May, before the midges !...and the tourist season...travelling either week day / weekend or reverse....being unaware of Carstairs. So more monitoring there otherwise I'll be driving....which isn't too bad off peak or weather wise generally speaking in May but my preference again remains rail.

 

[karlbbb]

You will be safe to apply and it isn’t a “franchise” anymore. Avanti are just managing the TOC on behalf of the DfT. If Avanti don’t get the next contract, you will end up working for whoever the DfT gets in next. Your conditions of service will automatically transfer to that new company and if you are in training at the time, you won’t be affected.

Thank you! (And to @Trainbike46 and @MDB1images for similar posts)

I'd imagine it's a very slim chance I could get into their talent pool anyway, but this is reassuring enough to ensure I'll apply when the time comes.

 

[jfollows]

Thanks to all who have replied to my query and have exposed an unknown, to me anyway, future possible complication.

My journey in April is basically Stockport - Stafford and whilst a direct service would be ideal, I have considered going via Crewe and using a selection of operators. Consequently, I will now monitor the link above and try and plan accordingly.

Stockport to Stafford shouldn't be a problem, for example https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...1/0000-2359?stp=WVSC&show=pax-calls&order=wtt shows a service every 30 minutes and the services alternate between two routes (Wilmslow and Macclesfield) anyway. Nearer the time you'll be able to see for sure and - as you say - there will also be options with changes such as at Crewe.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Feb 2023 ==

The future complication is a planned trip to Scotland, Glasgow then Gourock - Dunoon ferry and hence collected by my sister for onward travel...I intended this to be in May, before the midges !...and the tourist season...travelling either week day / weekend or reverse....being unaware of Carstairs. So more monitoring there otherwise I'll be driving....which isn't too bad off peak or weather wise generally speaking in May but my preference again remains rail.

The Carstairs work is due to be finished before May.

 

[Lost property]

My thanks as always for the advice and information in the post above, Carstairs in particular

 

[Willie Bee]

Do you think Avanti will still be running the service after their current contract runs out in a couple of months?

I was hoping to travel on the WCML at the end of May, but no tickets are available yet

 

[Bald Rick]

The future complication is a planned trip to Scotland, Glasgow then Gourock - Dunoon ferry and hence collected by my sister for onward travel...I intended this to be in May, before the midges !...and the tourist season...travelling either week day / weekend or reverse....being unaware of Carstairs. So more monitoring there otherwise I'll be driving....which isn't too bad off peak or weather wise generally speaking in May but my preference again remains rail.

The Carstairs work is due to be finished before May.

Not quite. There are works at weekends right through to June, this includes the Bank Holidays (although not the new BH for the coronation).

Do you think Avanti will still be running the service after their current contract runs out in a couple of months?

I was hoping to travel on the WCML at the end of May, but no tickets are available yet

Whether it’s Avanti or not (I think it will be), the trains will still run, and it will be the same staff on the same trains doign the same jobs in the same uniforms.

 

[DarloRich]

Do you think Avanti will still be running the service after their current contract runs out in a couple of months?

you can bring back Richard Branson but it aint getting any better until the IR issues are sorted out. Even Jesus cannot perform miracles of that nature! All he had to do was turn water into wine.

 

[Master29]

Even Jesus cannot perform miracles of that nature!

Ah but we are talking Richard Branson here.

 

[Hans]

I would really like to be realistic and expect the WCML to return to a useable service, sadly I get the feeling the days of on time, reliable, decent number of services and at reasonable prices have long gone.

 

[Bald Rick]

This week I have used 6 Avanti services.

All have turned up, all have been reasonably punctual (worst was 2 minutes late arriving Euston), the trains were all comfortable (half were on refurbs that were spotless), I had my ticket checked every time, and the on board crew were not just polite but positively welcoming. Most of the driving was excellent.

They are not out of the woods, but they are certainly close to it.

 

[Bertie the bus]

This week I have used 6 Avanti services.

All have turned up, all have been reasonably punctual (worst was 2 minutes late arriving Euston), the trains were all comfortable (half were on refurbs that were spotless), I had my ticket checked every time, and the on board crew were not just polite but positively welcoming. Most of the driving was excellent.

They are not out of the woods, but they are certainly close to it.

According to trains.im so far this week Avanti's performance has been:

Mon 68% On Time, 13% > 30 mins late or cancelled
Tue 68% On Time, 14% > 30 mins late or cancelled
Thu 76% On Time, 7% > 30 mins late or cancelled

I would describe that as not as shambolic as it has been but still a very, very long way to go.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

According to trains.im so far this week Avanti's performance has been:

Mon 68% On Time, 13% > 30 mins late or cancelled
Tue 68% On Time, 14% > 30 mins late or cancelled
Thu 76% On Time, 7% > 30 mins late or cancelled

I would describe that as not as shambolic as it has been but still a very, very long way to go.

How much is down to AWC and how much is NR though

 

[Bald Rick]

How much is down to AWC and how much is NR though

mostly Avanti, and the traincrew position being much better.

 

[Facing Back]

mostly Avanti, and the traincrew position being much better.

Did you mean he improvement or the performance not yet being up to target being down to Avanti?