Recent content by Brummigrant

They work well in city regions, but I agree long-distance fares are too complex. I made a post earlier which is caught in a moderation queue, but hopefully it will get approved soon as it provided some insight.

There's an argument that a smartcard is also a barrier as you need to acquire one. Perhaps using a bank card or biometrics is better.

There's just been a big campaign to drive conversion to smart cards. Now, most operators offer smartcards: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/ticket_types/232869.aspx I think that you can store tickets from other operators, but the main challenge is collecting the tickets. You need to...

True - I've only travelled on GWR once since it changed over. Usually a XC'er if I need to return to my hometown, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

One of the biggest thing at the launch tonight was that they were adjusting the seats so they all recline slightly, which will be fantastic if you're hungover - not convinced otherwise. Thanks to AWC for the amazing canapés and open bar. I've scanned the brand book from the giveaways and...

Can confirm - would post the invite here but don't want to get in trouble, especially as it's an invitation-only event. :)

It's a private event, but not at New Street or Grand Central. :)

The leap between Advance and Super Off-Peak has always annoyed me - £15 difference just to have the freedom to get on one of 5 trains that are both likely to be fairly empty. The air conditioning feels a bit plane-y, like I should be having people come along with a moist toilette because the...

For similar reasons to why you can purchase your ticket at New Street in order to get out of the barriers I guess... The announcements at WMR stations do say "purchase at the first available opportunity", but I guess for the amount of people who fare evade on routes where there are no gate...

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but New Street is exactly like that anyway, no? Only platforms 9-12 can go to Worcester/Bristol?

The former. There are a few fans throughout the platforms and they just blow the pollution to the open air either end of the platforms. It's almost as if we've got a pollution problem in Birmingham! ;) I've noticed that some diesel voyagers power down while on a long stopover, but if you go...

As long as I can actually get signal, then I've not got any qualms as to how it's achieved. Yesterday I travelled from Birmingham to Plymouth and could seldom get any data connection. On a 4-car voyager.

Their livery has been stripped on a lot of their trains over the last few months. It's noticeably disappearing.

It would be quite nice if the new franchise enabled departures from Euston to Birmingham after 10pm on a Saturday! It's hilarious that the last one is at 21:43.

https://twitter.com/Andrew_Adonis/status/996724149757333505