First and last train requirements

[deltic]

I was looking at the Essex Thameside and Thameslink franchising documents recently published by DfT which show the minimum service requirement including first and last trains. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...a/file/245068/a-train-service-requirement.pdf

and https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...e/245045/tsr-minimum-specification-tables.pdf

There seems little logic in how these requirements are arrived at. Why for example does the first train from Peterbrough have to arrive in London by 5am but the first from Cambridge doesnt have to be in by 6.45.

The first train from Shoeburyness has to be in Fenchurch St by 5.30 but the first from Purfleet not till 6.05. While the first train from Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness has to leave by 5.10 - are there that many people who want to leave London so early.

I know TfL tried to bring some consistency to first and last trains across its network so last trains from central London are roughly the same on all lines and it would be useful if DfT could do the same for TOCs.

 

[A-driver]

I think it's more to protect current service levels. The 0325 from peterbourgh arrives into London at 0459 and is a fairly 'busy' train with rail staff, other shift workers and those with early flights to catch. People currently living near Huntingdon, st neots, Biggleswade, hitchin, Stevenage, Hertford, cuffley and Enfield currently heave this early service and so they are protecting that train so that a new operator can't decide to withdraw it making it impossible for people to get into work intime from where they live (which may have been chosen partly because of these early services).

As to why peterbourgh has the early train and not Cambridge, I believe it's partly historical and comes from the fact that the early peterbourgh train is much more flexible with engineering works. The 0325 isn't booked at sandy or arlesey as they only have slow line platforms so when there are engineering works across the line the train can run either fast or slow line to hitchin. On the Cambridge branch you don't have that flexibility. I suppose that as Cambridge has never had an early train up to London it dosnt need protecting in a franchise change. If a business case was put forward for an early train then it may be introduced and protected in future franchises. I would imagine earlier and later trains on the Cambridge branch will be introduced as part of Thameslink anyway as they do seem keen on 24hour running like the Bedford-Brighton line sees.

As for early trains out of London, I know the 0523 off of kings cross can be fairly busy with night workers going home aswell as shift workers passing across London to get to work at places like Hatfield, welwyn and Stevenage.

 

[anme]

Indeed, I suspect many of these services are frozen in time from the last days of British Rail, when minimum service requirements were set for each franchise.

 

[Deerfold]

I would imagine earlier and later trains on the Cambridge branch will be introduced as part of Thameslink anyway as they do seem keen on 24hour running like the Bedford-Brighton line sees.

With a 3 -4 hour gap (depending on direction) on the section between Three Bridges and Brighton.

And a last train to Bedford from St Pancras on a Saturday night of 0138 (first Sunday train 0604).

 

[A-driver]

With a 3 -4 hour gap (depending on direction) on the section between Three Bridges and Brighton.

And a last train to Bedford from St Pancras on a Saturday night of 0138 (first Sunday train 0604).

Saturday nights generally always see earlier end of service or a break in 24hr operations as it's Sunday morning after midnight and Sunday is engineering work day.

 

[Deerfold]

Saturday nights generally always see earlier end of service or a break in 24hr operations as it's Sunday morning after midnight and Sunday is engineering work day.

Indeed - my main point was the 24-hour operation does not yet cover the whole of the main Thameslink route.

It does seem a shame that Saturday nights generally see this as it's probably the most common night for people to be out late.

 

[A-driver]

Indeed - my main point was the 24-hour operation does not yet cover the whole of the main Thameslink route.

It does seem a shame that Saturday nights generally see this as it's probably the most common night for people to be out late.

Saturday nights are always a problem but there is generally no better time-plan works for Sunday night and it means you can't run early trains Monday morning, close early Friday night and it has more effect on the late night commuters etc.

 

[Deerfold]

Of course Thameslink closes down Sunday night too - so a relatively late start for the Monday morning trains there too.