ATW Sept /Dec timetable now on line

[merlodlliw]

To those of you interested, the ATW official timetable Sept/Dec is now on line
at http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/ExploreWales/Timetables/

I understand WG signed off the timetable a week early due to pressure from ORR & NR, as all consultation from stakeholders had been attended to.

I note however one glaring error in the timetables ,the Wag Ex is shown on its return as Trolley,strange when this was pointed out to ATW ,suppose it just requires a new
type image


Bob

 

[anthony263]

Except each time I click to download timetable 3 (west & south wales to Cardiff & Cheltenham) I keep getting timetable 2 ( Manchester - south wales)

 

[merlodlliw]

Except each time I click to download timetable 3 (west & south wales to Cardiff & Cheltenham) I keep getting timetable 2 ( Manchester - south wales)

Yes, same thing here.

Bob

 

[Oliver]

Yes, same thing here.

Bob

Yes, if you right click on the link and look at "Properties" you'll see they are the same. You need to correct the last digit to 7 as shown below.


http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=3624&libID=4057

 

[Welshman]

I also note in the Manchester-North Wales timetable, Mondays-Fridays, there are two trains in the 0850 slot from Manchester Piccadilly to Chester! One then goes fast to Holyhead, the other stops along the coast to Llandudno.

I thought it was intended that the Llandudno train start as a connection at Chester, so is this a mistake in the timetable, or is it ATW's way of saying it will now be a double unit from Manchester, dividing at Chester?

 

[SprinterMan]

Errors:
The M-F 0709 Birmingham International to Llandudno is noted as being "To Llandudno Junction" in timetable 1 and the 0515 Holyhead to Birmingham International is still missing from timetable 2.
Adam

 

[merlodlliw]

I also note in the Manchester-North Wales timetable, Mondays-Fridays, there are two trains in the 0850 slot from Manchester Piccadilly to Chester! One then goes fast to Holyhead, the other stops along the coast to Llandudno.

I thought it was intended that the Llandudno train start as a connection at Chester, so is this a mistake in the timetable, or is it ATW's way of saying it will now be a double unit from Manchester, dividing at Chester?

They have replaced a three car 175 with 2X2 175s on both 0712 ex Chester (this will be the 0850 back)and 0740 to Manchester,on its return it splits at Chester, the spin from ATW speaks of an extra carriage to Manchester on both services due to overcrowding in the morning. Note the Llandudno half no longer calls at Shotton & Abergele on the down 0850 ex Manchester


Bob

 

[sparks2000]

Unless I am reading it wrong (quite possibly as I have become dependent on electronic timetables these days) the evening Cardiff to Holyhead express has moved to a later time and isn't labelled as carrying 1st or restaurant facilities (although online 1st class tickets are on sale).

 

[anthony263]

Glad to see ATW have timed the 07:50 departure from Cardiff to Milford Haven to serve the swanline stations offering passengers from those stations an arrival into Swansea shortly after 08:50 however the 08:09 Cardiff - Swansea - Llandrindod - Shrewsbury service no longer serves any of the swanline stations apart from Pyle at 08:39.

I suppose that should sort out the problems of this heart of wales line train arriving into Swansea late and thus delaying other services as it makes its way up the heart of wales line.

 

[merlodlliw]

Unless I am reading it wrong (quite possibly as I have become dependent on electronic timetables these days) the evening Cardiff to Holyhead express has moved to a later time and isn't labelled as carrying 1st or restaurant facilities (although online 1st class tickets are on sale).

You have read the timing correct,it will be ex Cardiff 1821,this is to attract extra trade , so the spin says

I have been in conversation with ATWs Publicity Manager today & pointed out the wrong logo is shown above the return Wag Express,he agreed this is wrong & should be full restaurant plus 1st accommodation, I also pointed out the problem with table three link.,

All will be rectified this week I am assured.

Bob

 

[Welshman]

They have replaced a three car 175 with 2X2 175s on both 0712 ex Chester (this will be the 0850 back)and 0740 to Manchester,on its return it splits at Chester, the spin from ATW speaks of an extra carriage to Manchester on both services due to overcrowding in the morning. Note the Llandudno half no longer calls at Shotton & Abergele on the down 0850 ex Manchester


Bob

Ah, right. Thank you.

 

[PHILIPE]

You have read the timing correct,it will be ex Cardiff 1821,this is to attract extra trade , so the spin says

I have been in conversation with ATWs Publicity Manager today & pointed out the wrong logo is shown above the return Wag Express,he agreed this is wrong & should be full restaurant plus 1st accommodation, I also pointed out the problem with table three link.,

All will be rectified this week I am assured.

Bob[/QUOTE
Just wondering if the omission of the 05 15 Holyhead to Birmingham Int from
Timetabe 2 has been missing as this is a critical train on that route for local travellers.

 

[SprinterMan]

Just wondering if the omission of the 05 15 Holyhead to Birmingham Int from Timetabe 2 has been missing as this is a critical train on that route for local travellers.

I have emailed ATW about this, and I am waiting for a response.
Adam

 

[merlodlliw]

I have emailed ATW about this, and I am waiting for a response.
Adam

Ill P,M. you the person in charge of timetables at ATW, he would welcome your comments, he was very pleased with my points.

Bob

sent it

 

[SprinterMan]

Ill P,M. you the person in charge of timetables at ATW, he would welcome your comments, he was very pleased with my points.

Bob

sent it

Thank you

I also told him about the 0709 BHI to Llandudno being labelled as "To Llandudno Junction" in timetable 1.

Adam
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Got a response:

Dear Mr Barnard,
Thank you for email below.
Regarding our September timetable information I note your comments and will investigate this as a matter of priority. I hope you will be pleased to learn that some of this information has been updated since it was first produced and now appears in full in National Rail Enquiries information, at rail station retail outlets and website real-time timetable/booking systems. To this end, our customers will be able to find out about these services and book accordingly.

Regrettably oversights can sometimes occur in these complex timetable production processes, despite our best efforts to get things right first time round.
It is interesting to note that, these days, more than six times the number of people use real-time systems on our website for timetable and booking information than rely on our printed booklets. We have found that this digital real-time information offers superior capability in terms of keeping things up to date, speed of production and customer convenience and, as a result, is the preferred source for the majority of our passengers. Rest assured, we will however, continue to produce printed timetable booklets as these also offer an important source of information at our stations.

In order to support the various challenges of printed timetable production our station and on-line booking information services are promoted extensively in our booklets and at-station posters, typically using the wording:
‘The information presented in this timetable was correct at the time of printing. We aim to keep you informed of any changes at stations and on our website’.

In addition, the September edition of the Timetable 2 booklet (South Wales to North Wales) that contains the Premier Service information, the relevant pages are headed:
‘Summary of South Wales to North Wales Train Services’.
This heading is the only one of its type in our booklets and is intended to indicate that further detailed information is also available from Stations & other rail information points.

I hope this provides you with an appropriate response to your comments. Our aim is always to provide the most detailed, up-to-date and accurate information as is available to us. I apologise if, on this occasion, our efforts have not met your expectations. This is clearly one for us to note and act on going forward.

Regards

What do people make of that?

Adam

 

[PHILIPE]

A lot of spin instead of just sticking to the points raised and leaving it at that.

 

[merlodlliw]

On my telephone conversation with the head of publicity & timetables, he was very much sticking to the point, alas his dept spin-doctor has been let loose on this reply to sprinterman.
It is a shame 20 words of reply sticking to the points raised are increased to hundreds of word clutter , which simply makes one think,why did I bother


Bob

 

[PHILIPE]

Thanks Bob. In a way the "spin" doctor seems to give the impression that it doesn't matter whether it is accurate or not because most people go on line.

 

[PHILIPE]

Despite ATW being informed re incorrect catering Logo for the return Wag and the omission of the 05 15 Holyhead to Birmingham Int from Section 2 of the on line Timetables, they are still missing from the printed booklet. Let us hope that the good commuters from stations between Crewe and Shrewsbury still turn up at their usual time as they will have their train.

 

[SprinterMan]

Despite ATW being informed re incorrect catering Logo for the return Wag and the omission of the 05 15 Holyhead to Birmingham Int from Section 2 of the on line Timetables, they are still missing from the printed booklet. Let us hope that the good commuters from stations between Crewe and Shrewsbury still turn up at their usual time as they will have their train.

I got another email from ATW after I emailed their general enquiries contact:

Dear Adam

Thank you for this information. In order to have these errors rectified I have passed your e-mail to our Marketing action requesting that he take appropriate action.

Yours sincerely

John Haynes
Customer Relations Advisor
Arriva Trains Wales

I think these errors will remain until the next TT change, or an erratum notice will be issued.

Adam

 

[merlodlliw]

Despite ATW being informed re incorrect catering Logo for the return Wag and the omission of the 05 15 Holyhead to Birmingham Int from Section 2 of the on line Timetables, they are still missing from the printed booklet. Let us hope that the good commuters from stations between Crewe and Shrewsbury still turn up at their usual time as they will have their train.

Yes I also note the printed timetable is incorrect, which makes me think it went to press at the same time as the on line editions.

The spin that most pax look at on line timetables carries no water, as their own ATW on line timetable is full of error, it seems ATW are incapable of amendment & rely on NR & other ticket agencies to get things right.The station posters will be up late next Friday,they will be interesting.
Suppose the usual pattern will follow at stations with a major changes poster I know they have a couple about to go up on Sunday at Wrexham,staff tell me they include amendments to new timetables. I also expect ATW to have placed an advert in the Wrexham leader next week for the Wag Ex,

Bob

 

[PHILIPE]

At least, Journey Planner is correct. ATW seem to have their ,ajor change notices at stations in recent times.

 

[PHILIPE]

Deleted

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

What they have not said is there is reduced capacity on the Llandudno to Manchester route where they have reduced a 3 Coach 175 Diagram to a 158.
If the unit allocation remains the same they can only rob Peter to pay Paul.

Well I'm Peter in this case!
Which Manchester trains does the 158 work?

 

[PHILIPE]

Deleted

 

[krus_aragon]

ATW have been putting out a lot of spin on their Website, through the press and I have just heard it on the ITV Wales News. They claim there are many more seats available from today to cater for the increasing passenger demand. I agree there are more seats on the Marches route, for example the 17 39 Cardiff to Milford Haven (14 30 from Manchester) which is a noted overcrowded train and incresed from a 2 Coach to a 3 Coack 175. What they have not said is there is reduced capacity on the Llandudno to Manchester route where they have reduced a 3 Coach 175 Diagram to a 158.
If the unit allocation remains the same they can only rob Peter to pay Paul.

Assuming the 158 refurbishments have now been completed (or are down to the last one, say) that means there are some extra units that can be deployed on some routes somewhere. Technically, that's enough to say there are many more seats. (After all, how many is "many"?) Say you add a 153 onto a single diagram for a day. If that diagram does ten journeys a day then some TOCs will proudly proclaim proclaim that that's an extra 750 seats every day!

 

[merlodlliw]

ATW have been putting out a lot of spin on their Website, through the press and I have just heard it on the ITV Wales News. They claim there are many more seats available from today to cater for the increasing passenger demand. I agree there are more seats on the Marches route, for example the 17 39 Cardiff to Milford Haven (14 30 from Manchester) which is a noted overcrowded train and incresed from a 2 Coach to a 3 Coack 175. What they have not said is there is reduced capacity on the Llandudno to Manchester route where they have reduced a 3 Coach 175 Diagram to a 158.
If the unit allocation remains the same they can only rob Peter to pay Paul.

the spin said two early mornings were to be four coach from Chester to Piccadilly instead of a three car 175, so is it two 158 sets linked up?

 

[PHILIPE]

Cannot say much more due personal confidentiality
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

the spin said two early mornings were to be four coach from Chester to Piccadilly instead of a three car 175, so is it two 158 sets linked up?

Yes, Bob. 2 X 158s the other goes Holyhead to Birmingham Int as a result of the Coast amendments.

 

[Rhydgaled]

I've noticed that the timings of new Gerald look like they could allow the LHCS set to take over the Cardiff - Manchester section of the 08:04 Fishguard to Manchester and the return working (arriving in Cardiff about 17:37). That would allow the Fishguard boat train to be formed of the 175 off the 08:04 (or a 158 released by that 175 if a 158 diagram is around at the right times) and maybe even (again if other diagrams happen to be around a the right times) permit the 08:04 from Fishguard to remain 2-car and still get a 3-car on the 17:39 off Cardiff to Milford Haven.

Unfortunatly the LHCS wouldn't be able to get to Swansea and back in time for the Holyhead departure so it'd still have to be a 175 or 158 from Cardiff forming the 17:39 to Milford Haven. Another couple of LHCS sets would be rather helpful.

 

[PHILIPE]

The LHCS has to go to Canton for any Maintenance or swapping out and will not go anywhere else. LHCS, unless in a exceptional circumstances, is history now so far as Timetable trains are concerned..
And, as already stated, the 08 04 Fishguard Diagram is 3 Coach 175 from today. I was wondering why you were so obsessed with the Fishguard being a 175 or 158. The journey time is little over 2 hours so not exactly a long haul. In fact Maesteg to Cheltenham is of a similar timing and many of those are 150s.