Stansted, multiple TOCs and RRB

[chubs]

What if anything is the official policy on Rail Replacement Buses when 2 operators cover a route? In this case specifically between Cambridge and Stansted Airport.

If you pick this Saturday (20/01/24) for arguments sake.

There is an 07:27 departure from Norwich that should get to Stansted Airport at 09:24. Journey Planner is saying you would have to wait 31 mins at Cambridge for a bus operated by XC due to engineering works.

The following service is the 08:27 which should arrive at 10:24. Journey Planner suggests getting a train from Norwich -> Cambridge North -> Audley End then RRB to Bishops Stortford and finally a train to Stansted Airport. Travel time of 3 hours 23 mins for a 2 hour journey.

I've been in contact with GA exec office (because cant get through to GA cust services via email or phone) who are completely useless. They keep insisting there is a bus connection for the Norwich to Stansted Airport train but kept refusing to tell me when it was running. They've now said it's only between Cambridge North and Audley End and they are not organising any buses for those wishing to reach the airport.

It seems a bit off if they are just expecting XC to deal with all the passengers? The first journey wouldn't be too bad but the second one would be pretty unreasonable, it's frustrating they're refusing to be in anyway helpful and I personally feel the website doesnt make it clear what passengers are expected to do either.

 

[Bletchleyite]

It's not at all unusual for them to agree who does what rather than duplicating.

 

[306024]

Certainly valid criticism. GA appear to expect passengers to use the XC bus, which only runs in connection with XC trains so isn't even hourly, or get a bus from Audley End to Bishops Stortford, for another bus to the airport. Hardly a sensible way to cope with airport passengers and their luggage.

 

[chubs]

Certainly valid criticism. GA appear to expect passengers to use the XC bus, which only runs in connection with XC trains so isn't even hourly, or get a bus from Audley End to Bishops Stortford, for another bus to the airport. Hardly a sensible way to cope with airport passengers and their luggage.

This is my concern. I know engineering works have to happen and am used to decades of them on the GEML but usually they're clear about bus timings.

They're just shrugging their shoulders for this. Considering both the GA and XC trains are busy and get mega busy at Cambridge I cant see it going well. And it's going to be every weekend for a while....

 

[306024]

This is my concern. I know engineering works have to happen and am used to decades of them on the GEML but usually they're clear about bus timings.

They're just shrugging their shoulders for this. Considering both the GA and XC trains are busy and get mega busy at Cambridge I cant see it going well. And it's going to be every weekend for a while....

Quite, given how they quite reasonably trumpet the success of the Norwich - Stansted service, this seems a poor replacement, unless they can't resource sufficient buses.

 

[embers25]

What if you have a GA only routed ticket from Cambridge which is usually valid via the airport on the Norwich trains?

 

[JonathanH]

What if you have a GA only routed ticket from Cambridge which is usually valid via the airport on the Norwich trains?

You use the GA bus connection, with the added complications of going via Bishops Stortford, so in practice you don't go to Stansted. The railway isn't strictly required to replicate all services and connections when there is engineering work.

 

[embers25]

I agree they don't have to supply a direct bus to Stansted but they would have to allow passengers forced to go via Bishops Stortford the opportunity to go from there to Stansted and back as they are not allowed to use engineering to circumvent ticket validity.

 

[greatkingrat]

What if you have a GA only routed ticket from Cambridge which is usually valid via the airport on the Norwich trains?

Are TOC restrictions enforceable on replacement buses? I don't see how they can be as average passenger isn't going to know which buses are run on behalf of which company.

 

[JonathanH]

Are TOC restrictions enforceable on replacement buses?

They certainly are on booking engines.

Whether they are 'on the ground' is another matter. There are some odd instances where one company takes the lead on replacement buses when more than one operator covers a route.

I don't see how they can be as average passenger isn't going to know which buses are run on behalf of which company.

In some cases that will be true. In others, it is clear which operator has contacted the vehicle.