East Midlands Trains catering

[ALEMASTER]

Looks like some subtle changes on EMT's London route ahead of the timetable change, mainly in 1st class:

- trains with a breakfast chef on weekdays offer a complimentary hot breakfast in first class
- other trains on weekdays in the early morning offer complimentary light breakfast in first class
- Rest of day on weekdays first class passengers can buy food from an expanded all day menu
- Standard class catering on weekdays is still a trolley service
- Buffet car service now available at weekends, first class passengers can claim their complimentary tea/coffee/water/biscuits by showing ticket at bar.

Timetable booklet shows which weekday trains offer which first class menu (full breakfast/light breakfast/all day)

http://www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk/travelling-with-us/on-board/first-class-to-london/

 

[CallySleeper]

Other than the timetable booklet symbols which are new (although the knife/fork symbol on Saturdays isn't explained) I don't think this is all old news from when it was introduced start of October.

Despite my campaigning, the table on the website showing which services get which offer still needs clarifying, with regard to Saturday services (full breakfast but not complimentary AFAIA). Monday-Friday, the new timetables make this a bit clearer which is good to see.

 

[bengolding]

Glad that the complimentary breakfast on weekdays is quite substantial, more so than that offered by East Coast or Virgin, although toast is no longer offered.

The First at-seat menu price increase doesn't seem to be having its desired effect. Prices rose after Feedback suggested business travellers refrained from ordering cheaper food perceived to be of low quality. Yet, on my recent peak journeys hardly anyone orders anything from the menu.

 

[D6975]

Interesting to note that breakfast is only available Southbound.

Do people travelling North not require breakfast then?

 

[Essexman]

Interesting to note that breakfast is only available Southbound.

Do people travelling North not require breakfast then?

I do! and I miss it. Used to enjoy a good breakfast on way to meetings in Nottingham or Sheffield.

What seems silly is that the chef is often travelling back north anyway so why not let him cook some breakfasts?

 

[yorksrob]

Good news that the buffet car is back at the weekend though !

 

[ryan125hst]

It looks like the trolley service is being cut back on the Liverpool to Norwich route though. I've just downloaded the new one and it says that:

An at-seat trolley service is offered on these services on the Nottingham to Stockport part of the route. The onboard
host will be pleased to offer a range of refreshments including hot beverages, snacks and cold drinks

The old timetable stated Nottingham to Liverpool. This was correct as, while we saw no trolley on the outward service, there was definitely a trolley between Liverpool and Manchester on the return journey when I went to the University of Liverpool's open day last month.

Does anyone know why this has been cut back? I think it's shocking that a 5 hour end to end journey only has catering on this small section. Nottingham to Norwich is hardly short. Surely there's demand for catering even with cafes available on the station? You might have had a cup of tea before leaving Nottingham, but want another one, or maybe a snack, by Ely.

Also, it looks like the 4-car indicator wording has been cut back from:

These shaded services are scheduled to be operated by 4-car trains, conveying over 300 seats for all or part of
their journey.

to

Services offering over 300 seats for all or part of their journey.

Maybe few passengers are interested in the number of cars? It's a shame though as it is good when TOC's provide more information about the service they are providing. GNER used to indicate whether the service was operated by a HST or a 225 on their website for example.

 

[Sleepy]

EMT and predecessors have always struggled with catering provision Norwich to Nottingham, for a number of reasons inc. large amount of catering outlets on stations, limited no. of potential customers on 2 coach train compared to up to 500 pax on Norwich to London services with shorter journey time. The trolley when it was provided was very hit and miss so of course resulting in more station purchases.

 

[edwin_m]

The trolley was announced as being on board through to Liverpool on my journey this morning, the first time I have been aware of this happening (I very rarely need to go beyond Manchester). Stockport was certainly the changeover point for the trolley until recently.

I imagine Manchester-Liverpool passengers wouldn't buy much on board due to the shorter journey, and having a trolley east of Stockport allows most of the long-distance passengers to buy something on the way. I can't say what the demand would be for a trolley east of Nottingham as I rarely use that leg of the service.