ITV Program "Off the Rails" Tonight at 7:30pm

[HH]

I think you can guess the drift from the title...

 

[Trainfan344]

Don't worry if you miss it, it will be repeated tomorrow at 3am...

 

[SS4]

But since it's the tonight show expect heavy political bias and a dearth of facts that don't fit the story.

It'll either make Branson appear demi-god and right all along or O'Toole to be the victim of harsh government policies. The DfT will be mentioned in passing despite having to shoulder most of the blame.

 

[MCW]

when I saw the thread title I thought this might have been a programme from an enthusiasts perspective, if that makes any sense?

just feels like the media world is negatively biased against rail travel or is that just me taking it too hard?

 

[Max]

Surely though TV programmes need wide appeal? I don't think it would be particularly wise of ITV to produce a prime-time program that most people won't be able to relate to. Additionally, the issue in question is a highly politically sensitive issue that needs to be looked at beyond the simple operational viewpoint.

 

[merlodlliw]

this is what Radio Times say about it.

ABOUT THIS PROGRAMME
Earlier this month, new Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin's decision to overturn the award of the west coast mainline franchise to FirstGroup threw the rail network into turmoil. In this report, Chris Choi investigates the future of the UK's railways.

Bob

 

[MCW]

Surely though TV programmes need wide appeal? I don't think it would be particularly wise of ITV to produce a prime-time program that most people won't be able to relate to. Additionally, the issue in question is a highly politically sensitive issue that needs to be looked at beyond the simple operational viewpoint.

agreed on the wide appeal point.

The thing is the programme is 30 mins long normally? (not watched Tonight in a long time!) to me 30 mins is nowhere near enough time to cover the differing perspectives of the sensitive issue. you need at least an hour IMHO and do it in a proper Panorama style

 

[HH]

I gather the program was planned before the ICWC "fiasco", so expect a mix of ICWC and other stuff:

* Highest Fares in Europe
* TOC Profits (apparently they interview an 'expert 'and a Union 'representative')
* Compare to Germany
* Speak to Campaign for Better Transport
* Talk to an 'expert' about foreign state operators taking profits

Expect a general rubbishing of the current situation then.

 

[fgwrich]

I gather the program was planned before the ICWC "fiasco", so expect a mix of ICWC and other stuff:

* Highest Fares in Europe
* TOC Profits (apparently they interview an 'expert 'and a Union 'representative')
* Compare to Germany
* Speak to Campaign for Better Transport
* Talk to an 'expert' about foreign state operators taking profits

Expect a general rubbishing of the current situation then.

Well, Wolmar needs his 'I want to run for London Mayor' money. Hopefully it would be using someone like Rodger Ford or Tony Miles (as the BBC has reccently done), rather than the almost 'rent a quote' Wolmar.

 

[MCW]

* Speak to Campaign for Better Transport

glad they are talking to those guys. they are pretty thorough as campaigners

 

[route:oxford]

Could be worse...

It could be an investigation of the association between Jimmy Savile and British Rail in the 70s/80s.

I'm sure he popped up in "Rail Riders Express" fairly regularly.

 

[MCW]

Could be worse...

It could be an investigation of the association between Jimmy Savile and British Rail in the 70s/80s.

I'm sure he popped up in "Rail Riders Express" fairly regularly.

that will be the next thing....

i know its off topic, but seriously, I'm sick to death of this Jimmy Saville stuff...

 

[jon0844]

The age of the train... Savile loved the HST and they definitely weren't 18!

 

[ANorthernGuard]

that will be the next thing....

i know its off topic, but seriously, I'm sick to death of this Jimmy Saville stuff...

we all are, its amazing how so many people are now "victims". if it is true may he rot in hell but I dunno smells like the press making a story out of hearsay and rumours and people jumping on the bandwagon (sorry I know its Off Topic)

 

[YorkshireBear]

Anyone watching can you let me know whether its worth watching im away from TV. Or just summarise

 

[Flamingo]

Any commuters to Reading moaning about overcrowding?

 

[CC 72100]

Any commuters to Reading moaning about overcrowding?

haha. Probably to busy giving grief on twitter about it!

 

[Goatboy]

Some dubious figures in there. I do beleive our fares are often overpriced but the idea that a typical German 100 mile journey on ICE is £68 whereas in the UK its 'double that' seems very false indeed. Infact in order to double £68 for 100 miles I had to find a First Class Anytime Single from Euston to Birmingham...

 

[Simon11]

Its wasn't too bad but still plenty of incorrect infomation given from the programme. Have they ever thought that other countries train companies are subsiding our railways and spending money(german, french commuters) bidding for our franchises?

Their arguments were very weak comparing the cost of a commute in the uk and germany. To provide a better comparison we need to know the average time of such a journey, frequency, length of train and adding the government subsidy to the price of the ticket- I wonder if the overall price for a uk commute would be higher still?

The managing director of virgin, made the statement that if they had won the east coast, there would have been more investment and new trains. Looking at wc, they have clearly lacked investing in their stations and its more down to network rail/ the government to invest in new trains/route rather than virgin.

I found it amusing when a senior offical stated that for every 1 pound from the commuter, the government puts another 1 pound in. Then comes in the union member who states that the government puts in way more than 1 pound.......please let's have some correct facts here tonight.....

If I had done the research for my directors, I would have been shredded alive with the faults with the programme!

 

[Cherry_Picker]

I havent been to a hospital in years, I dont see why my tax should subsidise hospitals.
I dont have any children, I dont see why my tax should subsidise schools.
My house has never caught fire, I dont see why my tax should subsidise the Fire Brigade.

(etc)

 

[Goatboy]

The managing director of virgin, made the statement that if they had won the east coast, there would have been more investment and new trains.

Why is it always about new trains? Wouldn't most people prefer lower prices? It's hardly as if an Intercity 225 set is old, decrepid and in desperate need of being replaced. Yet it always seems to be about more shiney things not better value for money.

Most people don't care as long as its good value, clean, well maintained, reliable and comfortable.

 

[ANorthernGuard]

Why is it always about new trains? Wouldn't most people prefer lower prices? It's hardly as if an Intercity 225 set is old, decrepid and in desperate need of being replaced. Yet it always seems to be about more shiney things not better value for money.

Most people don't care as long as its good value, clean, well maintained, reliable and comfortable.

up here in Northern Land its good Value (depending on the PTE) clean (Depending on time of day) Well Maintained (Well you can't polish a Turd) and comfortable (Only if you find 70s/80s bus style seating comfy) so up here (even as a member of traincrew) I WANT NEW TRAINS!

 

[eastdyke]

Rodents at Euston? You bet.

 

[Cliveblackpool]

we all are, its amazing how so many people are now "victims". if it is true may he rot in hell but I dunno smells like the press making a story out of hearsay and rumours and people jumping on the bandwagon (sorry I know its Off Topic)

they are only interested in selling newspapers

 

[table38]

Rodents at Euston? You bet.

That's no way to talk about George Osborne

 

[Stephen55a1960]

Some dubious figures in there. I do beleive our fares are often overpriced but the idea that a typical German 100 mile journey on ICE is £68 whereas in the UK its 'double that' seems very false indeed. Infact in order to double £68 for 100 miles I had to find a First Class Anytime Single from Euston to Birmingham...

That figure does seem dubious. If IIRC, when I travelled from Munich to Amsterdam (via Cologne), in August, it was £69. The distance is approximately 560 miles. An equivalent journey (between London Kings's Cross and Inverness ) would have cost £127 (East Coast website at the time). The distance is broadly similar. My German journey was the equivalent of Standard Class. The British comparison is also Standard Class.

 

[ainsworth74]

An equivalent journey (between London Kings's Cross and Inverness ) would have cost £127 (East Coast website at the time).

Though that journey can be done for as cheap as £21.35 if you buy far enough in advance.

 

[Zoe]

That figure does seem dubious. If IIRC, when I travelled from Munich to Amsterdam (via Cologne), in August, it was £69.

Was this booked in advance? You could do the same distance in Britain much cheaper if you booked in advance.

 

[Bald Rick]

DB also has a small help in that domestic long distance scheduled coach services are banned; so no need to do ultra cheap advance fares to compete on price, and effectively no public transport competition for any journey under 200 miles.

 

[Tracky]

The main moan over here tends to be commuters and short intercity trips. The key is to compare London Birmingham or London Manchester with an equivilant distance intercity run in Europe and make sure its Peak vs Peak and Off Peak vs Off Peak.