Eurovision and train services

[infobleep]

What provision do you expect them to make? It is the responsibility of people attending to check they can get to and from the venue, not the responsibility of public transport companies to read news articles to discover which far flung places people have decided to book hotels in and run services. If someone decided to stay with their aunt in Halifax you wouldn't expect Northern to put on a late night train to get them back.

During the Olympics, extra late-night trains were run. This also happened to a more limited extent when the Queen died.

In those cases, they didn't say it was the responsibility of people to check the last train times and do nothing. In fact, the Olympics opening ceremony overran and the trains from London Waterloo were held. I'm not against them doing that.

The Eurovision is a big thing in this country.

 

[Bertie the bus]

Eurovision isn't the Olympics and nor is it on a level with the death of a monarch who reigned for 70 years.

 

[infobleep]

Eurovision isn't the Olympics.

No it isn't but it is very popular.

 

[M28361M]

I haven't seen an official announcement, but Merseyrail appear to be running additional services between 0000 and 0130 on the Sunday morning after the Eurovision final.

Northern Line services using Moorfields only:-

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...13/2330-0230?stp=WVS&show=pax-calls&order=wtt

Wirral Line services from Liverpool Central:-

Realtime Trains | Departures from Liverpool Central between 2330 and 0230 on 13/05/2023

Train information at Liverpool Central between 2330 and 0230 on 13/05/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[MotCO]

I think this thread may be overtaken by strikes scheduled by RMT :

Ukrainians attending Eurovision ‘targeted’ by rail strikes

Walkouts threaten to cause chaos for football fans attending the FA Cup final and hit services to Epsom Derby

www.telegraph.co.uk

Downing Street has accused Aslef of targeting “displaced Ukranians” attending the Eurovision Song Contest final in Liverpool with its latest round of strikes.
Number 10 hit out at the train drivers’ union over its decision to decision to strike the day before Eurovision, claiming it could mean many displaced Ukranians may miss out on being in the audience.
The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), which represents train guards and ticket office staff, has announced that it will strike on the day of the contest.
Aslef said its members would now strike on May 12, May 31 and June 3 – the day of the FA Cup final at Wembley and the Epsom Derby – after rejecting the latest pay offer from rail firms.
Rishi Sunak’s official spokesman said: “It’s incredibly disappointing that Aslef has taken this action. By choosing these specific dates, they are looking to disrupt the FA Cup final – thousands of people will be impacted.
“That will also include displaced Ukrainians trying to attend Eurovision, I know there is a distinct possibility.”
The Eurovision final is being staged in Liverpool after Ukraine won it in Turin last year. Earlier this year, the Government announced that 3,000 tickets would be made available to Ukrainian refugees who had secured accommodation through the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.

 

[D841 Roebuck]

*Unpopular Lefty Opinions Alert*

1. The Eurovision Song Contest has been mostly complete rubbish since Waterloo (the excellent Abba song, not the Belgian battle). Bucks Fizz, Lordi and Nicole have produced reasonable winning songs since, the rest have verged from bland to appalling.

2. If people have spare rooms/availability for people to stay in their property, it should be made available to the homeless and/or asylum seekers rather than undercutting local hoteliers.

*Tories/Starmerites may now return to the thread*

 

[MotCO]

1. The Eurovision Song Contest has been mostly complete rubbish since Waterloo (the excellent Abba song, not the Belgian battle).

I tend to agree that it is rubbish, but it is so bad it is great to watch. The random scoring, the wierd sets, the 'variety' of 'songs', the fact that everyone bar the French sing in English, etc, etc. The commentary provided by the late Terry Wogan, and now Graham Norton adds to the 'entertainment'.

 

[Sultan]

IN 2

I tend to agree that it is rubbish, but it is so bad it is great to watch. The random scoring, the wierd sets, the 'variety' of 'songs', the fact that everyone bar the French sing in English, etc, etc. The commentary provided by the late Terry Wogan, and now Graham Norton adds to the 'entertainment'.

In 2022, of the 40 participants, only 24 sang in English. 7 sang in their own language (including Ukraine, who won) and 9 in 2 languages (one not necessarily being English).

 

[M28361M]

Not train related directly, but posting just in case anyone finds it useful:

Arriva will run extra late night buses on the 10 (only as far as Prescot), 12, 52A, 79, 82, 86A, 432, 437 and 471/472 on 13 May (well, technically early morning 14 May)

The 10, 12 and 79 in particular serve parts of Merseyside not covered by Merseyrail. Full times are at https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/latest-news/eurovision-travel-information but be warned if you are viewing on a phone or other small screen, the formatting of the timetable seems to completely mess up on those devices.

That link mentions that Stagecoach are also providing extra services, but can't find any mention of this on their site yet

 

[boiledbeans2]

I saw on BBC News at 10, that there was a special 11:43 Euston to Liverpool train on 9th May, where 2 carriages of a regular Avanti were reserved for Eurovision fans. Here's the clip (watch from 27:30), which expires at 10:40pm, 10th May:

BBC News - BBC News at Ten, 09/05/2023

The latest national and international news from the BBC.

www.bbc.co.uk

Here's another clip of the same train, but with different footage

'I have peaked too soon' - Eurovision fan

The 11:43 train from Euston to Liverpool became the Eurovision Express as fans travelled up for the contest.

www.bbc.co.uk