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Information for GTR Southern passengers during strike (no DOO discussion)
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It's amazing what they haven't publicised and hoped people wouldn't notice
Well if that's the case then for a short period 442s could be used as I doubt it's been 6 months since the mast one was used.
Of course there might be not enough drivers who have driven one in the last 6 months. Yes if there is such a driver they might not be available but not all recent cancellations are due to drivers. Some are due to maintenance.
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87015
Established Member
I am informed that just to REALLY take the mick there is a 17.30 London Bridge - South Bermondsey ECS to form the 17.46 South Bermondsey - West Croydon.
Complete incompetence from top to bottom.
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Seriously!? Is this just being done to frustrate passengers, many of whom are now fully blaming Southern?
Why can't that train run in service all the way down to West Croydon?
Could it be run as a fast service between the two stations, if their isn't time to stop at immediate stations.
South West Trains in recent times, added such services. Positional moves that because they had a driver and guard became fast services between two stations.
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tsr
Established Member
Good luck finding any serviceable stations between London Bridge and South Bermondsey!
I notice the 17.27 London Victoria to Ore service departed 8 minutes late in order to maintain customer connections. Never seen this reason given before.
Many a time have I missed a connection because they wouldn't maintain it! I understand the reasons why they don't hold trains, just surprised this one was held.
The East Grinstead train in front of it was 5 minutes late and they let the Brighton bound Gatwick Express depart on time. I assume that service didn't need to maintain any connections, as there are plenty of trains to Brighton.
The Ore train is packed to standing of course because the preceeding Littlehampton train was cancelled.
Passengers can catch the 18.22 from Haywards Heath to Littlehampton though as we left East Croydon first so are in front of it. Incidentally the London Bridge to Eastbourne service, which departs Haywards Heath not long before this one was also cancelled today, so that explains some of the people getting on at East Croydon, after people got off.
Just another day on GTR. Things like this are minor compared to some of the issues cuomaters have faced.
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Given the larger gaps between Gatwick Express services, will staff at Gatwick Airport still be advising customers to catch the next Gatwick Express train even if a Southern service would be quicker? Currently they don't seem to do that.
I assume the longest gap is only 30 minutes.
Imagie buying an anytime return and finding that you could have got there more quickly using an off peak return.
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Many a time have I missed a connection because they wouldn't maintain it! I understand the reasons why they don't hold trains, just surprised this one was held.
The East Grinstead train in front of it was 5 minutes late and they let the Brighton bound Gatwick Express depart on time. I assume that service didn't need to maintain any connections, as there are plenty of trains to Brighton.
The Ore train is packed to standing of course because the preceeding Littlehampton train was cancelled.
Passengers can catch the 18.22 from Haywards Heath to Littlehampton though as we left East Croydon first so are in front of it. Incidentally the London Bridge to Eastbourne service, which departs Haywards Heath not long before this one was also cancelled today, so that explains some of the people getting on at East Croydon, after people got off.
Just another day on GTR. Things like this are minor compared to some of the issues cuomaters have faced.
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--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Given the larger gaps between Gatwick Express services, will staff at Gatwick Airport still be advising customers to catch the next Gatwick Express train even if a Southern service would be quicker? Currently they don't seem to do that.
I assume the longest gap is only 30 minutes.
Imagie buying an anytime return and finding that you could have got there more quickly using an off peak return.
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rdm111
Member
- Joined
- 3 Nov 2012
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- 15
In the meantime will they run a parliamentary ghost bus to Newhaven Marine to cover the necessary legalities?
The Beckenham Junction line appears to be Southern's latest route to get the scalp out of London Bridge, replacing the old SLL route.
It seems to be Southern's excuse that people who live on that line either have connections to London Bridge either by bus or via the Overground/Jubilee line, or in the case of Gipsy Hill, West Norwood and Crystal Palace still have 2tph to London Bridge on the Outer SLL.
Crystal Palace to Beckenham Junction is the least used part of the line with connections either by bus, Tramlink or Southeastern services from Beckenham Jnc.
I don't agree with the reasons for axing the service, but in GTR's eyes, if they can satisfy the longer distance passengers by getting Selhurst drivers to drive mainline services down the Brighton Mainline of which their pax have been the most vocal against Southern.
It seems to be Southern's excuse that people who live on that line either have connections to London Bridge either by bus or via the Overground/Jubilee line, or in the case of Gipsy Hill, West Norwood and Crystal Palace still have 2tph to London Bridge on the Outer SLL.
Crystal Palace to Beckenham Junction is the least used part of the line with connections either by bus, Tramlink or Southeastern services from Beckenham Jnc.
I don't agree with the reasons for axing the service, but in GTR's eyes, if they can satisfy the longer distance passengers by getting Selhurst drivers to drive mainline services down the Brighton Mainline of which their pax have been the most vocal against Southern.
Probably just a data input error.
If that's the case then fair enough. With the cancellations I thought may be it was the case but with Victoria being a terminus, I wasn't sure.
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...that's the point.
What "point" were you trying to make by quoting a completely fictional story from a spoof website as if it were true?
Your post was more than a little misleading as it presented fiction as fact.
Someone on the late running 8am East Croydon to Victoria just said the service was better on strike days.
This service is jam packed because 7.56 was cancelled and that is 12 carriages. People were streaming off that round up platform 1. They eventually closed the footbridge access to it.
Not really been on such a packed pushing to get on service since travelling on the 8.39 Clapham Junction to Milton Keynes service some years ago. That service was like it daily.
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--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
How long does it take to update journey planners? According to National Rail Enquiries, it's still not updated for next week yet.
Is there a way of making block changes to speed up the process or does each train have to enter and / or removed?
Once this is over and a normal timetable can resume, is there a way of easily putting back the previous timetable in one go?
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This service is jam packed because 7.56 was cancelled and that is 12 carriages. People were streaming off that round up platform 1. They eventually closed the footbridge access to it.
Not really been on such a packed pushing to get on service since travelling on the 8.39 Clapham Junction to Milton Keynes service some years ago. That service was like it daily.
Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
How long does it take to update journey planners? According to National Rail Enquiries, it's still not updated for next week yet.
Is there a way of making block changes to speed up the process or does each train have to enter and / or removed?
Once this is over and a normal timetable can resume, is there a way of easily putting back the previous timetable in one go?
Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk
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Southern
Member
According to RTT, all three appear to still run.
Bishopstone
Established Member
With several folk having raised the question, GTR have agreed to contract a last bus at the same time (approx) as the current last train, between Brighton and Seaford via Lewes.
I'm going to watch the day time bus service closely. Local operators struggle to recruit and retain drivers for their own routes/hires, let alone an intensive (every 15 mins) rail replacement operation. GTR must be held to account if the buses, too, start to be cancelled due to lack of available drivers. Though I expect the end of school term releases some resource, until September.
I'm going to watch the day time bus service closely. Local operators struggle to recruit and retain drivers for their own routes/hires, let alone an intensive (every 15 mins) rail replacement operation. GTR must be held to account if the buses, too, start to be cancelled due to lack of available drivers. Though I expect the end of school term releases some resource, until September.
danielson00
Member
- Joined
- 31 Aug 2012
- Messages
- 55
My local MP has replied to my email about the lack of service in South London.
She wants them stripped of the franchise.
enc
She wants them stripped of the franchise.
enc
NorthernSpirit
Established Member
- Joined
- 21 Jun 2013
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- 2,279
I wonder if Compass will step in to provide the rail replacement buses? As their depot is only in Lewes, the only problem is that they've only got Pointers / E200's, so the loadings on them will be quite a crush.
Bishopstone
Established Member
I expect to see involvement from Seaford & District and Metrobus/Brighton & Hove.
Irritatingly, the buses are to be routed via the C7, up the west side of the River Ouse, rather than the faster A26 to the east. This means they will also be disrupted by any openings of the Newhaven swing bridge.
One of the neighbouring MPs Helen Hayes (Dulwich and West Norwood) had also written a more extensive letter on the same subject to the SoS on Weds.
Deepgreen
Established Member
Major train congestion at Victoria this morning - must be all those trains that aren't running!
Bishopstone
Established Member
It has been said that the fate of many rural byways was sealed, in the Beeching era, when the track was renewed and the stations spruced up. Closure followed, six months later.
Well, the painters and decorators are out in force at Seaford, Bishopstone and Newhaven Town stations, this week, undisturbed by a train service. The 'temporary' closure of the branch is 'indefinite', and with the revised timetable achieving it's strategic objectives - there were very few cancellations or staffing-related delays in the morning peak - I wonder whether we shall see trains restored for the remainder of this year.
I used the rail replacement bus service mid-morning. For the record, operators observed were:
Seaford & District
Metrobus
Compass
LJ Edwards of Hailsham
Brighton & Hove
Regency Coaches
Generally, Dart-type single deck vehicles. There was a controller at Lewes and 'bluecoat' security staff at Lewes and Seaford. The promised 15-minute frequency was being maintained, and none of the buses I used and saw were that busy: it's a needlessly long journey down the C7, where the A27/A26 route would shave 5-10 minutes and be less twisty for those (like me) who don't travel well on buses in hot weather. But in the peaks, I'm sure there will be capacity problems unless they run relief buses, which might be the plan.
Stopped off at Newhaven on the way back, which caused an issue. Me and several others waited in the bus/taxi interchange, by Town station, for the 15.02 bus to Seaford. Every other replacement bus, in both directions, was calling there before doubling-back to Harbour station. At 15.02, a Brighton & Hove single decker appeared from the Lewes direction and took the road to Harbour directly, missing out the interchange and intending passengers from Town. There would have been passengers alighting at Town, I'm sure, who must have been deposited at an unknown location.
Again, this is neglect of the basics. Newhaven Town is the station for the Dieppe ferry, used by travellers unfamiliar with local transport arrangements. Really, there should be a member of staff guiding people to the replacement buses, but at the very least the official stopping arrangements should be publicised at the station and briefed to all bus drivers. Basic operational incompetence, with not a single piece of signage to assist passengers.
Though they have been unreliable lately, and the bus service is likely to prove more robust, I'm going to miss our trains. So will the many thousands who visit Seaford for the Seven Sisters or Newhaven for the ferry, over the summer season. I suspect local retailers will feel the impact in their tills.
There's a public demonstration at Seaford station tomorrow evening (I'm already firing-up the brazier), then a public meeting with our MP and a GTR bigwig on Thursday. I'm not normally one for activism, but I think if everyone stays silent we will be stuck with buses for years, potentially, whilst London services are prioritised. There is a need for a large number of locals to agitate peacefully, until at least an hourly train service is restored and a full compensation package agreed: not Delay Repay, but compensation for buying (expensive) rail season tickets then being lumbered with a bus service, instead.
Well, the painters and decorators are out in force at Seaford, Bishopstone and Newhaven Town stations, this week, undisturbed by a train service. The 'temporary' closure of the branch is 'indefinite', and with the revised timetable achieving it's strategic objectives - there were very few cancellations or staffing-related delays in the morning peak - I wonder whether we shall see trains restored for the remainder of this year.
I used the rail replacement bus service mid-morning. For the record, operators observed were:
Seaford & District
Metrobus
Compass
LJ Edwards of Hailsham
Brighton & Hove
Regency Coaches
Generally, Dart-type single deck vehicles. There was a controller at Lewes and 'bluecoat' security staff at Lewes and Seaford. The promised 15-minute frequency was being maintained, and none of the buses I used and saw were that busy: it's a needlessly long journey down the C7, where the A27/A26 route would shave 5-10 minutes and be less twisty for those (like me) who don't travel well on buses in hot weather. But in the peaks, I'm sure there will be capacity problems unless they run relief buses, which might be the plan.
Stopped off at Newhaven on the way back, which caused an issue. Me and several others waited in the bus/taxi interchange, by Town station, for the 15.02 bus to Seaford. Every other replacement bus, in both directions, was calling there before doubling-back to Harbour station. At 15.02, a Brighton & Hove single decker appeared from the Lewes direction and took the road to Harbour directly, missing out the interchange and intending passengers from Town. There would have been passengers alighting at Town, I'm sure, who must have been deposited at an unknown location.
Again, this is neglect of the basics. Newhaven Town is the station for the Dieppe ferry, used by travellers unfamiliar with local transport arrangements. Really, there should be a member of staff guiding people to the replacement buses, but at the very least the official stopping arrangements should be publicised at the station and briefed to all bus drivers. Basic operational incompetence, with not a single piece of signage to assist passengers.
Though they have been unreliable lately, and the bus service is likely to prove more robust, I'm going to miss our trains. So will the many thousands who visit Seaford for the Seven Sisters or Newhaven for the ferry, over the summer season. I suspect local retailers will feel the impact in their tills.
There's a public demonstration at Seaford station tomorrow evening (I'm already firing-up the brazier), then a public meeting with our MP and a GTR bigwig on Thursday. I'm not normally one for activism, but I think if everyone stays silent we will be stuck with buses for years, potentially, whilst London services are prioritised. There is a need for a large number of locals to agitate peacefully, until at least an hourly train service is restored and a full compensation package agreed: not Delay Repay, but compensation for buying (expensive) rail season tickets then being lumbered with a bus service, instead.
Well if your at Seaford, please be nice to Jenny in the ticket office, she has taken so much flack recently.
Bishopstone
Established Member
Yes, both the regulars in the booking office are great, as I posted in another thread quite recently. Whoever else bears a share of responsibility for this debacle, it certainly isn't the station staff who have nevertheless endured a hard time.
theageofthetra
Established Member
Where a service has been completely curtailed such as Beckenham JCT- LBG with no bus replacement- how is this legal when closure of any route has a long and expensive legal process? Is there a loophole to allow this?
LBSCR Times
Member
Saturday service still runs....
theageofthetra
Established Member
Ahh wasn't aware of that- thx
Is the painting of stations a franchise requirement? All the stations on the Uckfield Line have had a coat of paint in the last month or so. This might be due to the extensions but I boarded a train at Woldingham today and that had been painted too.
Fairly sure passengers would prefer to have trains rather than newly painted stations! Uckfield line has had limited issues with cancellations during this dispute, although total closure on strike days he says to be sort of on topic.
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