Caledonian Sleeper

[alistairlees]

Just rebooked myself onto the 14th June train rather than the 15th to avoid the strike. Noticed that the option to choose your own cabin was no longer there - is that a permanent change?

Just temporary.

 

[JamesT]

"food bills fell ..... substantially", really, are you actually serious, (unless you eat-out a lot normally and count that as a food bill)?

Many people bought coffee/lunch/etc every day they went to the office. Eating at home will have been much cheaper.

 

[MrEd]

Is the reopening of the Club Car related to the strike action as there is no logic for it not being open otherwise?

I don’t think the two issues are related. The strike is over a pay freeze. The lounge car remains closed due to social distancing requirements on-board, and (according to CS management) there is no proposed date yet for its reopening. A limited room service menu is now available for the time being.

 

[Steve Harris]

Many people bought coffee/lunch/etc every day they went to the office. Eating at home will have been much cheaper.

I doubt many CS staff bought lunch everyday when they went to the office. For a start they don't actually work in an office!!

In my original post I was refering to the weekly/fortnightly/monthly food shop for cooking at home !

 

[Bald Rick]

"food bills fell ..... substantially", really, are you actually serious, (unless you eat-out a lot normally and count that as a food bill)?

Many people bought coffee/lunch/etc every day they went to the office. Eating at home will have been much cheaper.

Exactly.

I doubt many CS staff bought lunch everyday when they went to the office. For a start they don't actually work in an office!!

AIUI, many of those who will be taking action weren’t actually working their full hours (or in some cases, at all) when the sleepers were suspended...

 

[Steve Harris]

AIUI, many of those who will be taking action weren’t actually working their full hours (or in some cases, at all) when the sleepers were suspended...

So they would be eating at home then ?

Yes it maybe cheaper than buying lunch on the go, but food has definitely increased in price in the shops. For instance, the branded bread I used to buy has increased from 90p (pre Covid) to £1.40 (today).

Anyway, getting back on topic... I presume CS hasn't released any information if any Sleepers will actually run during the strike period.

 

[14xxDave]

Slightly off topic, but for many people food / fuel bills etc fell substantially during the past year, and only now is beginning to get back to wherever it was pre Covid.

Really? Can you reference data to this that doesn't come from the Daily Mail?

 

[williamn]

No word from CS on whether sleepers will run, no. And the info about the strike is *very* hidden on their website. I’ve rebooked just in case.

 

[InOban]

Really? Can you reference data to this that doesn't come from the Daily Mail?

It's quite well established that the better off have got wealthier during Covid19. They've generally not been on reduced earnings, and they've not been spending on holidays, eating out etc. As a result credit card and other debt has been reducing.

 

[Bald Rick]

Really? Can you reference data to this that doesn't come from the Daily Mail?

Well off topic (sorry!) but it is very well established that people have not been spending money on fuel, eating out, going out, etc etc during lockdown.

 

[trebor79]

It's quite well established that the better off have got wealthier during Covid19. They've generally not been on reduced earnings, and they've not been spending on holidays, eating out etc. As a result credit card and other debt has been reducing.

Well off topic (sorry!) but it is very well established that people have not been spending money on fuel, eating out, going out, etc etc during lockdown.

I count as "better off". I am absolutely not wealthier than this time last year, other than the increase in value of my house.
We didn't eat out much, haven't been on foreign holidays for a decade. I haven't lost any earnings but neither have I seen a significant reduction in outgoings. If anything I'm less well off than a year ago.
My brother, on the other hand, who I think earns less than me reports he has saved £10k as he hasn't been out several nights a week, hasn't been climbing in Greece etc.

Like all of these generalisations, they are generalisations and don't always translate into life experiences.

 

[williamn]

CS just announced they are cancelling all services during the strike period and refunding passengers. Assuming I will simply get a credit back for my flexipass.

 

[Steve Harris]

CS just announced they are cancelling all services during the strike period and refunding passengers. Assuming I will simply get a credit back for my flexipass.

Thanks for the info.

 

[BRX]

I've just had the email too. Booking cancelled, bye bye, solve the resultant problems yourself.

Are they supposed to be able to do that? I thought the general principle was that if a TOC fails to provide the transport, they should provide an alternative. Of course, we can try and rebook on day trains but the prices now will be different to what they were when we decided to book the sleeper.

 

[Journeyman]

I've just had the email too. Booking cancelled, bye bye, solve the resultant problems yourself.

Are they supposed to be able to do that? I thought the general principle was that if a TOC fails to provide the transport, they should provide an alternative. Of course, we can try and rebook on day trains but the prices now will be different to what they were when we decided to book the sleeper.

Strikes are specifically exempt from TOCs having to provide alternative transport.

 

[Steve Harris]

I've just had the email too. Booking cancelled, bye bye, solve the resultant problems yourself.

Are they supposed to be able to do that? I thought the general principle was that if a TOC fails to provide the transport, they should provide an alternative. Of course, we can try and rebook on day trains but the prices now will be different to what they were when we decided to book the sleeper.

That is poor IMO.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Jun 2021 ==

Strikes are specifically exempt from TOCs having to provide alternative transport.

That maybe the case, but surely CS could give a little effort and offer some help in a email.. eg suggestions of day trains which still have reservations/tickets available. Even if you still have to book them yourself ! At least it shows a bit of goodwill rather than F U ceya later.

 

[Journeyman]

That maybe the case, but surely CS could give a little effort and offer some help in a email.. eg suggestions of day trains which still have reservations/tickets available. Even if you still have to book them yourself ! At least it shows a bit of goodwill rather than F U ceya later.

Agreed, it isn't good. I think TOCs aren't obliged to provide alternatives during strikes because for a normal TOC it wouldn't be possible if all their trains were cancelled. In this case, even if the alternatives aren't great, I agree some more effort wouldn't go amiss, because it's rather a different type of service.

The RMT seem to have a death wish here. I really can't see this ending well for anyone.

 

[Kite159]

Agreed, it isn't good. I think TOCs aren't obliged to provide alternatives during strikes because for a normal TOC it wouldn't be possible if all their trains were cancelled. In this case, even if the alternatives aren't great, I agree some more effort wouldn't go amiss, because it's rather a different type of service.

The RMT seem to have a death wish here. I really can't see this ending well for anyone.

It's probably the new guy wanting to make a name for himself by taking on the big bad Transport Scotland.

 

[BRX]

At a time when people want to travel to see (possibly vulnerable) family they've not seen for months or maybe even a year, and the sleeper offers them one of the few 'safe' ways of doing that, and they make plans based on that assumption, and then suddenly that disappears for going on two weeks... I'm having to work quite hard to maintain my general principle of not being reactionary about strikes and recognising them as a legitimate way for workers to protect their rights. Could they not wait until we actually know we're clear of the Covid crisis.

 

[roversfan2001]

...the sleeper offers them one of the few 'safe' ways of doing that...

The sleeper is no more or less 'safe' than any of the day trains.

 

[Journeyman]

The sleeper is no more or less 'safe' than any of the day trains.

Well, actually, it's a lot better in several ways, firstly that it's much more socially distanced, and secondly you don't have to wear a mask in your cabin.

Personally I'm not massively bothered by these things, but they're deal-breakers for some people.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The sleeper is no more or less 'safe' than any of the day trains.

There is absolutely less risk of COVID transmission on a train formed of compartment stock in which for the vast majority of the time each compartment contains only one household.

 

[Scotrail84]

It's probably the new guy wanting to make a name for himself by taking on the big bad Transport Scotland.

Ridiculous post, you know nothing so say nothing.

 

[Journeyman]

Ridiculous post, you know nothing so say nothing.

Well, what is it about, then?

 

[Darandio]

Well, what is it about, then?

More money guv, they've worked throughout the pandemic. Just like hundreds of other vastly more important industries around the country where those workers aren't getting anything either but in the majority of cases are (rightly or wrongly) getting on with it.

 

[Journeyman]

More money guv, they've worked throughout the pandemic. Just like hundreds of other vastly more important industries around the country where those workers aren't getting anything either but in the majority of cases are (rightly or wrongly) getting on with it.

I know that, I was just keen to hear someone attempt to actually justify it.

Like most people here, I think it's politically motivated and an unbelievably stupid thing to do, especially right now.

 

[Darandio]

I know that, I was just keen to hear someone attempt to actually justify it.

Like most people here, I think it's politically motivated and an unbelievably stupid thing to do, especially right now.

Oh I know you already knew, but let's call it out for exactly what it is. I'm normally very supportive of such action when it's justified, but there are select times when these battles must be picked.

 

[Steve Harris]

At a time when people want to travel to see (possibly vulnerable) family they've not seen for months or maybe even a year, and the sleeper offers them one of the few 'safe' ways of doing that, and they make plans based on that assumption, and then suddenly that disappears for going on two weeks... I'm having to work quite hard to maintain my general principle of not being reactionary about strikes and recognising them as a legitimate way for workers to protect their rights. Could they not wait until we actually know we're clear of the Covid crisis.

Clear of the Covid crisis ? That will probably take years ! I could say more but I would be veering way OT.
I have no problem with strike action IF it's justifiable (ie not Carry on at your Convenience - the wrong bog paper). Unfortunately when it comes to transport or public services the public get the brunt through no fault of there own.

 

[Journeyman]

Oh I know you already knew, but let's call it out for exactly what it is. I'm normally very supportive of such action when it's justified, but there are select times when these battles must be picked.

Exactly, me too. I've benefitted enormously throughout my career from the good pay and conditions in the rail industry, and I'm aware people have fought for those, but there’s a time and a place for it, and that's not here, and not now.

Anyone who isn't a particularly hardcore regular user who gets their journey cancelled over the next couple of weeks is unlikely to be back anytime soon.

 

[BRX]

Anyway... On the front at Inverness this evening