Scotrail Franchise - Abellio

[Rhydgaled]

In my opinion, proportionate number of bays and window alignment for every seat should be the status quo on every train, not just those classed as "scenic stock".

I wouldn't go quite as far as 'every train', but I would say 'every train that is not a suburban train' should have all seats aligned with windows, around 50% of seats in bays of 4 around tables and ample legroom, and suburban trains should be strictly limited to only running services for which they are suitable. Anything with a suburban door layout (1/3, 2/3, or with more than 2 doors per 20 metres of train) is a suburban train.

Acheiving a decent number of bays, legroom and window alignment on suburban trains is probably impossible. On outer-suburban services (any suburban service longer than 1hr) I would prioritise legroom over bays. Inner-suburban services (less than an hour with frequent stops) just need to provide enough seats to accomodate the numbers travelling (and possibly a few standees for 5mins in the peaks), so can be all (or nearly all) airline seating.

 

[Maxfly]

I assume, although glad to be corrected that a large amount or maybe all of the WHL vegetation clearing budget is blown btwn Fortbill and Mallaig to prevent the Jackabite kettles turning the Scottish countryside into the Saharah desert each year?

Afraid not, the fire risk is managed by a fire risk assessment on the days the service runs. Vegetation is dealt with by known areas which are prioritised as well as routine cab rides where encroaching vegetation is reported. Budget constraints obviously restrict what can be done and and if anything the Mallaig branch has seen less done than other areas on the West Highland.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Interesting. Thanks for that!

 

[Highland37]

1. I was linking to your trying to place the blame for RBS failure on places other than Scotland.

2. It doesn't matter where things are decided; it matters what is decided, because the effect is the same wherever the decision is made. Well, it clearly matters to some people where things are decided, regardless of how illogical that is.

1. RBS, along with other banks, have not been regulated from Scotland for centuries. That is a simple fact. Or are you under the illusion that there is some regulatory regime in Scotland that no one seems to know about and that financial matters are devolved? They aren't. Do some reading on this.

2. It DOES matter where a decision is made. I am just back from Orkney and now in Inverness. I know more about Inverness than you do. I am better placed to make decisions regarding Inverness as I know the place. The opposite is true regarding where you live.

This is where a lot of the heat is generated around independence. The most basic facts are not understood. I fully understand and respect that you disagree with me regarding independence. Fair enough. Such is life and you were on the winning side last time.

However, you are no disputing things that are plainly true. RBS IS and was regulated from London at the time it collapsed. Why argue these points?

 

[JohnR]

1. RBS, along with other banks, have not been regulated from Scotland for centuries. That is a simple fact. Or are you under the illusion that there is some regulatory regime in Scotland that no one seems to know about and that financial matters are devolved? They aren't. Do some reading on this.

2. It DOES matter where a decision is made. I am just back from Orkney and now in Inverness. I know more about Inverness than you do. I am better placed to make decisions regarding Inverness as I know the place. The opposite is true regarding where you live.

This is where a lot of the heat is generated around independence. The most basic facts are not understood. I fully understand and respect that you disagree with me regarding independence. Fair enough. Such is life and you were on the winning side last time.

However, you are no disputing things that are plainly true. RBS IS and was regulated from London at the time it collapsed. Why argue these points?

However, it IS pertinent to note that were RBS to have been regulated from Scotland, Alex Salmond would have made the regulations less onerous than the ones in London. So complaints that it was the regulation system in London which allowed the bank to fail from people who would have had a more lax regime in place are not to be taken seriously.

 

[Highland37]

Well if you don't seriously what happened to various UK financial organisations, then I don't think we are on the same page. It happened and has cost us all hugely.

Back to trains, I was on the train from Glasgow to Inverness on Sunday morning. Absolutely packed with standing to Perth. 3 car unit and on arrival to Inverness there were various units sitting at the platforms not in use....

 

[Carntyne]

Well if you don't seriously what happened to various UK financial organisations, then I don't think we are on the same page. It happened and has cost us all hugely.

Back to trains, I was on the train from Glasgow to Inverness on Sunday morning. Absolutely packed with standing to Perth. 3 car unit and on arrival to Inverness there were various units sitting at the platforms not in use....

Probably awaiting use though?

 

[47271]

Great news, but of course this means that all we need is a couple of incidents at some point in the near future, causing a minor drop back in performance, and the usual suspects will be out in force declaring a new crisis.

ScotRail performance improves for fifth consecutive month

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-39233838

The reliability of ScotRail services has improved for the fifth monthly period in a row, new figures show.

Figures for February into March show the annual average performance figure rose to 90.3%.

The result ends the contractual need for a performance improvement plan to be in place.

Falling below this benchmark level in September 2016 prompted the Scottish government to demand improved punctuality and reliability.

ScotRail outperformed other parts of the UK in the latest round of figures, with the annual average for England and Wales slipping slightly to 87.3%.

In November, a major improvement plan was published in response to widespread criticism of ScotRail's reliability since Abellio took over the contract in April 2015.

It aims to improve punctuality and reliability through measures such as infrastructure developments and "performance workshops" for managers and staff.
'Challenging year'

ScotRail Alliance Operations Director Perry Ramsey said: "We will continue to focus on delivering the best service to our customers, seeking to make improvements every single day. This is what our customers want and is our number one priority.

"We have had a challenging year. We have been working to deliver one of the biggest upgrades to the rail network since it was built in Victorian times - while still running a full service.

"That work was necessary so that we could introduce new faster, longer, greener trains - giving people more seats and shorter journeys."

Transport minister Humza Yousaf, who ordered the improvement plan, said: "These figures also show the improved performance widens the gap between rail performance in Scotland and the rest of the UK.

"It is equally important to recognise the real efforts made by ScotRail staff who are working hard round the clock, in all weathers, to lift performance and deliver rail services which passengers both desire and deserve.

"I remain focussed on ensuring Transport Scotland and ScotRail work with the industry to maintain this upward trend and that the PIP initiatives remain in place to deliver even more improvement over the next few months."

 

[Highland37]

Probably awaiting use though?

I don't think so. The station was full of trains clearly going nowhere. It was a Sunday so fewer services. They could have had six cars easily.

 

[route101]

Well if you don't seriously what happened to various UK financial organisations, then I don't think we are on the same page. It happened and has cost us all hugely.

Back to trains, I was on the train from Glasgow to Inverness on Sunday morning. Absolutely packed with standing to Perth. 3 car unit and on arrival to Inverness there were various units sitting at the platforms not in use....

I took the 0710 from Queen St to Inverness a few saturdays ago. , was quiet from Glasgow and got busier towards inverness . I did spy a 6 car service heading south though the rugby was on .

 

[najaB]

I don't think so. The station was full of trains clearly going nowhere. It was a Sunday so fewer services. They could have had six cars easily.

That presumes, of course, that they had prior knowledge (at least a day in advance) that it was going to be that busy, since they would've needed to roster an extra ECS movement.

 

[gsnedders]

That presumes, of course, that they had prior knowledge (at least a day in advance) that it was going to be that busy, since they would've needed to roster an extra ECS movement.

Or run a southbound service as a 6-car service for stock movement, which ScotRail do plenty of.

 

[najaB]

Or run a southbound service as a 6-car service for stock movement, which ScotRail do plenty of.

That's true. Still not doable without some prior notice though.

 

[Clansman]

As said before It's great to see Scotrail on the up again, however I do wish they'd sort out the capacity problem between Dundee/Perth and Glasgow during peak times and on Fridays.

It's a dire feeling when you're jam packed into a single 170 enduring a delay due to increase dwell times, and you pass 3 170s, 2 158s and 2 156s stabled at Eastfield.

 

[Clansman]

I wouldn't go quite as far as 'every train', but I would say 'every train that is not a suburban train' should have all seats aligned with windows, around 50% of seats in bays of 4 around tables and ample legroom, and suburban trains should be strictly limited to only running services for which they are suitable. Anything with a suburban door layout (1/3, 2/3, or with more than 2 doors per 20 metres of train) is a suburban train.

Acheiving a decent number of bays, legroom and window alignment on suburban trains is probably impossible. On outer-suburban services (any suburban service longer than 1hr) I would prioritise legroom over bays. Inner-suburban services (less than an hour with frequent stops) just need to provide enough seats to accomodate the numbers travelling (and possibly a few standees for 5mins in the peaks), so can be all (or nearly all) airline seating.

Each to their own opinion I suppose.

I mostly meant medium-long distance trains which take journeys more than an hour regularly.

I think Scotrail are the best TOC in terms of having a proportionate number of bays and airline seats (2 rows of airline for every bay). If they can just get the window alignment right on the 170s, HSTs and 385s then I'd be satisfied. Although having seen the seating plans for the latter 2, I'm not at all hopeful.

 

[najaB]

It's a dire feeling when you're jam packed into a single 170 enduring a delay due to increase dwell times, and you pass 3 170s, 2 158s and 2 156s stabled at Eastfield.

Do they spend the rest of the night there?

 

[47271]

For info, in today's Herald

£3m free travel scheme for ScotRail passengers detailed

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/...avel_scheme_for_ScotRail_passengers_detailed/

The Scottish Government has released more details of a £3 million ScotRail free travel scheme thanking customers for their patience during disruptions and upgrades.

Passengers with a monthly or annual season ticket valid for at least one day in May will be able to claim a week of free travel for their usual route.

Monthly customers who switch to the electronic smartcard ticketing system will get a free off-peak return trip anywhere in Scotland, while yearly smartcard holders will get two.

Passengers with weekly smartcard tickets are eligible for a complimentary one-day return ticket.

Claims can be made via the ScotRail website or at stations.

The scheme was announced as part of the Budget in December after ScotRail faced heavy criticism for late and cancelled trains, with campaigners calling for Dutch parent firm Abellio to be stripped of the franchise to run Scotland's railways.

Transport Scotland ordered the railway firm to put an improvement plan in place in September after performance slipped below a contracted threshold.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said: "I'm delighted that this £3 million fares initiative will reward passengers for their continued custom and patience while we deliver our extensive programme of improvements to truly transform the Scottish rail network.

"I am confident ScotRail will deliver the kind of service passengers deserve, and we can get more people out of their car, bringing with that environmental and health benefits."

Cathy Craig, commercial director of the ScotRail Alliance, said: "We're releasing details now to give our customers plenty of time to check if they qualify for the free week, switch to smartcard or sign-up for a reminder before claims go live on May 1.

"The Scottish rail network is going through the biggest improvement to railway infrastructure since Victorian times. Our £475 million train improvement programme means new faster, longer, greener trains, a cascade of rolling stock to other areas of Scotland, upgrades to the existing fleet and delivery of better wifi and at-seat power points.

"By 2019 Scotland's railway will be totally transformed."

Details of a "thank-you" for leisure customers will be announced in July.

Scottish Labour's transport spokesman Neil Bibby said: "Scottish Labour pressure forced SNP ministers into action after we stood up for passengers who were fed up with the shoddy service they were receiving.

"This was the SNP's attempt at an apology to passengers for the shocking level of service, but it still doesn't apply to people who had a season ticket last year.

"In fact commuters have to jump through hoops to qualify for this deal. Labour's plan for a fares freeze would have benefited every passenger. In contrast, this is a half-hearted plan drawn up on the back of a fag packet."

 

[route101]

Seen a 156 and 158 combo on the 1756 from Edinburgh to Glasgow central. Pretty rare i think.

 

[Bungle965]

Seen a 156 and 158 combo on the 1756 from Edinburgh to Glasgow central. Pretty rare i think.

Certainly in the latter of First run of the franchise I began to see more 170+158 combos and that seems to have been carried on into this franchise.
Sam

 

[92002]

Certainly in the latter of First run of the franchise I began to see more 170+158 combos and that seems to have been carried on into this franchise.
Sam

All these are regular tie ups when there is something special on in Edinburgh.

Rugby game at Murrayfield yesterday.

 

[InOban]

170-158 combos are quite common between Inverness and Aberdeen. And I think that major maintenance of the 158 is done in Inverness, so presumably they have to be worked up north somehow.

 

[najaB]

And I think that major maintenance of the 158 is done in Inverness, so presumably they have to be worked up north somehow.

There is a sub-fleet based at Inverness. They work all the services north of Inverness and (at a guess) about half the services to Aberdeen.

 

[PHILIPE]

There is a sub-fleet based at Inverness. They work all the services north of Inverness and (at a guess) about half the services to Aberdeen.

I would hardly refer to them as a sub-fleet. They work most of the services to Aberdeen, sharing with 170s, but in the majority. A pair work down to Edinburgh each day, do a little work and then return north as a pair. The trips to Edinburgh make it possible for any change over for any reason.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

170s+158s run as a 5 car set every weekday between Glasgow Queen Street and Alloa in the evening.

 

[47271]

The 1741 Queen Street-Aberdeen runs as 170+158 to Perth, where the 158 gets dropped.

 

[WatcherZero]

For the first time in 14 years passenger numbers have not grown on the Scotrail franchise but remained static. Unions however are still demanding that they receive the £500 annual performance related bonus received by Greater Anglia staff despite Scotrail missing growth targets and staff striking for 12 days!

 

[HH]

For the first time in 14 years passenger numbers have not grown on the Scotrail franchise but remained static. Unions however are still demanding that they receive the £500 annual performance related bonus received by Greater Anglia staff despite Scotrail missing growth targets and staff striking for 12 days!

In Scotland it's always worth a punt as the chickens in SNP run around proving their socialist credentials...

 

[jingsmonty]

For the first time in 14 years passenger numbers have not grown on the Scotrail franchise but remained static. Unions however are still demanding that they receive the £500 annual performance related bonus received by Greater Anglia staff despite Scotrail missing growth targets and staff striking for 12 days!

Staff are working just as hard as they always do, the strikes were caused by a failure to listen by the company/TS - staff don't go on strike for a laugh! If there had been a proper agreement at the start and Abellio/TS hadn't tried to run roughshod over the unions and impose DOO, it would have gone ahead, rather than the sensible compromise reached - in fact, why can't Southern come to a similar agreement?!

Also can't blame the staff for failing to meet the growth targets - maybe the fact that there is a shortage of serviceable units might be a contributory factor..

Sure Abellio are sending a healthy profit bach to the Dutch Government...

 

[najaB]

I would hardly refer to them as a sub-fleet.

I wasn't using 'sub-fleet' to refer to the size of the group but rather in its literal meaning - a subset of the entire fleet - which is allocated to Inverness.

 

[Carlisle]

rather than the sensible compromise reached - in fact, why can't Southern come to a similar agreement?!

Southern had already been operating their EMU fleet in a virtually identical manner to the recent Scotrail deal for about 14 years prior to their current dispute , so in effect they'd have been signing up for no change