FGW update

[Mojo]

Hi all,

Had a nice chat with Andrew Griffiths (Regional Manager), some other man who I can't remember (Central Group Station Manager), Mike Holmes (Temple Meads area Station Manager) and some other man I can't remember (Transport Integration Manager) this afternoon.

I have summarised key points below: -
- Measurements now taking place for installation of new PIS at stations such as Keynsham
- New morning train from Patchway to Temple Meads from May (the 0630 ex-Cardiff), but no corresponding evening return journey
- Support for an Intergrated Transport Authority/PTE for Greater Bristol as it could help FGW in the operation of their services
- PADTIS (Payment At Destination Ticket Issuing System) has been ordered and should be in use from Sept this year, you buy a voucher similar to a Permit to Travel and put said voucher into a machine at Temple Meads (three machines) which will then sell you the appropriate ticket
- Planning promotion of near-doubling of service on Severn Beach Line from May will commence next week - feedback appreciated!
- No comment on Community Railway status
- I forgot to help myself to free biscuits and muffins

 

[Metroland]

I thought the SBL had been designated a community railway?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/7326180.stm

Still at least First Great Western is better than Amtrak

Amtrak's long-distance trains were on time just 42 percent of the time last year, according to the report issued March 28 and made public this week. That's an improvement from 30 percent in 2006, but probably not good enough to win over large numbers of passengers.

http://www.afxnews.com/about488/index.php?lg=en&c=00.00&story=2401739

 

[Mojo]

Yep, we got the news a few days ago. It has . But for obvious reasons the officials concerned could not go into further details on their opinions.

 

[Z12XE]

From that comment, I can guess though. A popular comment I've heard from a TOC (not FGW) is "Waste of Time"

Community Rail Designation is pointless, it achieves nothing as its a solution to a problem which isnt there.
I made an FOI request when my local line was designated, most of the councils who responded had no idea what it meant, others had very little to say and the rest was just pure Bull Shirt

 

[paul1609]

I think that the original idea of community railways was that they would have lower standards of maintenance than main lines and was probably a good idea.
I guess someone has finally twigged that Network Rail doesnt actually maintain the majority of its lines to those standards so the cost savings have already been made!
You dont have to be a community railway to have active participation of the line by the community either. Our local line has a 20 min interval 12 car Service up to town in the peak and 30 min fast and slow portions off peak but we have very active support from the local communities;
http://www.arunrail.com/index_files/Page266.htm

 

[Z12XE]

I guess someone has finally twigged that Network Rail doesnt actually maintain the majority of its lines to those standards so the cost savings have already been made!

True, it was something introduced in the 1970s (if not earlier) - Minimal Maintenance, where only 1 sleeper in every 4 needs to be sound.

Railtrack loved this and made sure they wern't doing anything extra, although since Network Rail took over they improved maintenance (on our line) - doesn't matter too much now as the line has been relaid in the last few years.

I even have a Consultation Response from Network Rail which clearly states that denignating a line as a Community Railway does not guarantee that the DfT will see a saving - as its possible that there are not ways to do so (no doubt coming back to Minimal Maintenance again!)

You dont have to be a community railway to have active participation of the line by the community either.

Most lines which are designated (and some which aren't and will not be) have had active Community Rail Partnerships for years.

 

[Mojo]

Whilst discussing the proposed relocation of Shirehampton station with Andrew Griffiths, costs were discussed. Because the station was built on the railway side of the fence it would cost around £1mill. If it were on the other side of the fence, around £100k. Even he was puzzled why we have to build such platforms to "mainline" standard.

 

[Z12XE]

Its like the story of the bus shelter, it would cost the council a few hundred to install one at the side of the road, put the exact same thing on a railway platform and suddenly you are in the thousands.

They installed one at Marks Tey on the Up Main recently, it was the size of 2 telephone boxes and cost something ridiculous like £3000.

 

[Mojo]

Just recieved a letter from Kul Bassi, Community Rail Development Officer at the DfT

Responding to comments from some consultees, we have designated the whole passenger service but decided against designating the infrastructure between Narroways Hill Junction and Severn Beach