Leeds Station concourse and platform improvements

[yorksrob]

The cheep cuppa thing is particularly galling as so many trains have no trolley and much as its a bitter pill, train tea is often now cheeper. Whilst I dont rate Mcdonalds the fact that I can still get a brew for under a £ is a biggy for me.

They also use a reasonably strong teabag, which makes a big difference. Nowt worse than paying over a pound for dishwasher.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

They also use a reasonably strong teabag, which makes a big difference. Nowt worse than paying over a pound for dishwasher.

A friend of mine takes his own teabags everywhere, and the look on the face of Costa staff when he asks for a cup of hot water is a sight to behold...

Best place for cheap hot drinks is the cafe on the island platform at HUD, but sadly it shuts at 4pm.

 

[yorksrob]

Best place for cheap hot drinks is the cafe on the island platform at HUD, but sadly it shuts at 4pm.

Ah yes, I very often enjoy their fry-ups !

 

[TUC]

As for outside, some buses are now already being rerouted away from the bus terminus outside the station in a trial. Eventually it maybe that only taxis will use new station street and a lot of the roadway will be pedestrianised.

It's difficult to see how that is passenger friendly. It's already confusing enough for those unfamiliar to Leeds arriving in the station to know where bus services leave from, there being a multiplicity of stands over several streets.

 

[leedslad82]

Noticed yesterday pret have posters on the old visitors centre announcing opening soon

 

[JaJaWa]

The McDonald's touch screens are a life saver if you're in a country where you don't speak the language (not sure if the UK ones are multilingual though?).

Hopefully they are also updating to Network Rail standard signs. The ones at Leeds are very ugly.

 

[DarloRich]

I noticed that there has been some painting on the platforms in recent weeks. Some bright colours on PA poles and walls.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

The McDonald's touch screens are a life saver if you're in a country where you don't speak the language (not sure if the UK ones are multilingual though?).

They're a lifesaver if you don't want to have to interact with the real-life version of the Krusty Burger kid from the Simpsons, too!
They are multilingual, the ones in Huddersfield have Welsh as an option.

 

[bluenoxid]

I noticed that there has been some painting on the platforms in recent weeks. Some bright colours on PA poles and walls.

And on that bombshell. Sky Blue is P1-8, Lime Green 9-11, pink 12-15 and yellow 16-17

 

[D6975]

A friend of mine takes his own teabags everywhere, and the look on the face of Costa staff when he asks for a cup of hot water is a sight to behold...

Best place for cheap hot drinks is the cafe on the island platform at HUD, but sadly it shuts at 4pm.

When I was up there on a NE Rover, I used the Greggs at Wakefield Westgate, £2 for a coffee and bacon roll on a morning.

 

[yorksrob]

When I was up there on a NE Rover, I used the Greggs at Wakefield Westgate, £2 for a coffee and bacon roll on a morning.

Yes, that's been a lifesaver on a Sunday morning.

 

[johntea]

I like the touch screens in McDonalds, although it is far too tempting to be fat and order a few bonus items browsing through the menus!

However the operation needs sorting out in Boar Lane as it always seems to take forever and they always seem to find a way to bugger the order up! The other week I ordered a simple Quarter Pounder meal and ended up with 2 Big Tasty burgers instead!!!

Crazy how much money they must be missing out on during these projects mind!

 

[Crossover]

I see Maccy D's is now also closed (presumably so they can put those ridiculous touch screens in that nobody uses).

Burger options are rapidly diminished, and nowhere to get a cheap cuppa !

Errr I always use the touch screens where available. I find I get my order quicker because of the shorter queue!

I've used the one at New St twice now - the first time, for the novelty, was a little bit slow on the service front, but I think they were new and probably just getting used to working them. The second time I went and got served within 30 seconds of placing the order (in both cases just a milkshake - it is one of the only things I generally purchase from McD's!)

 

[Starmill]

Personally, if I'm at Leeds and want a cup of tea, I'll get one from the First Class lounge

 

[Crossover]

Personally, if I'm at Leeds and want a cup of tea, I'll get one from the First Class lounge

No guarantee of any biscuits though

 

[JaJaWa]

Personally, if I'm at Leeds and want a cup of tea, I'll get one from the First Class lounge

Personally, if I want anything other than some tepid water in a dirty mug, I'll avoid the Leeds "First Class Lounge". I thought Virgin were meant to be sorting it out...

 

[noddingdonkey]

Best place for cheap hot drinks is the cafe on the island platform at HUD, but sadly it shuts at 4pm.

The newsagent on platform 1 at Huddersfield does a reasonable takeaway cuppa too.

 

[Starmill]

On the whole I think you can tell I don't drink much tea

 

[johntea]

Fear not as McDonalds is now open again

On a related note, what is the current status regarding the southern entrance?

Also the lifts seem to have had some maintenance done, they seem to have replaced the voice though back to the default settings so instead of 'Platform' and 'Footbridge' it simply says "Floor 1" and "Floor 2" or similar now!

 

[yorksrob]

Fear not as McDonalds is now open again

On a related note, what is the current status regarding the southern entrance?

Also the lifts seem to have had some maintenance done, they seem to have replaced the voice though back to the default settings so instead of 'Platform' and 'Footbridge' it simply says "Floor 1" and "Floor 2" or similar now!

Coming along nicely. It looked very golden and quite blingy for a railway installation when I was on 17 yesterday.

As for the lifts, they're certainly no faster than they were

 

[CaptainHaddock]

Fear not as McDonalds is now open again

On a related note, what is the current status regarding the southern entrance?

There's a webcam where you can watch it progressing - not real time, it only updates every 5 minutes, but it's looking impressive!

http://www.wymetro.com/lsse/webcam/

 

[NorthernSpirit]

The cheep cuppa thing is particularly galling as so many trains have no trolley and much as its a bitter pill, train tea is often now cheeper. Whilst I dont rate Mcdonalds the fact that I can still get a brew for under a £ is a biggy for me.

Often comes handy where you know where the Selecta tea machines are. Sadly for something that is hot and wet in Leeds does entail a 15 - 20 minute walk to either the bus station or to Waitrose for a freebie but only if you have a MyWaitrose Card.

 

[yorksrob]

Errr I always use the touch screens where available. I find I get my order quicker because of the shorter queue!

Well, I went to the shiny new one at Leeds station for a cuppa and they were queuing through the door - the busiest I've ever seen it !

Were these all the new people attracted by shiny new decor ?

Or rather was it perhaps just backed up because they only had one person working the tills and another trying to get people who wanted to pay in cash, to use the fancy new screens !

The wonders of corporate management

 

[JaJaWa]

Looked for an image of the 'new' McDonald's - does it really look as cramped in reality?

Source: https://instagram.com/p/9-0flyIcNC/

 

[yorksrob]

Well, it was never the biggest MacDonalds to begin with, but it has cut down the queuing area a bit.

 

[CdBrux]

anyone going to a McD's deserves everything they get!

 

[yorksrob]

anyone going to a McD's deserves everything they get!

Nothing in my case, I had to bail to catch a train

 

[CdBrux]

Nothing in my case, I had to bail to catch a train

sounds like a good result to me!

 

[Saint66]

When walking past for the first time the other day, it actually looked more spacious when compared to before. Though that may have been my eyes deceiving me!

 

[johntea]

The Leeds Southern Entrance looks like it is on course to open soon, well they've taken the barriers down anyway!