If you treated them as being WH Smith prices, that bottle would be worth about a tenner!
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Thameslink Services/Timetable from May 20th 2018
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If you treated them as being WH Smith prices, that bottle would be worth about a tenner!
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RailUK Forums
Gotta love MPs. My local MP is on form again.
He's talking about stuff he knows is going to happen anyway, so when it does he can claim credit. Things like Oyster extending to WGC/Hertford. Things like negotiating with TfL to get them to take over the GN inners (he lives at Brookmans Park by the way, so note how the response mentions his station by name, as if this is all being done so HE gets a better train service) when that is deemed a near certainty anyway.
He's upset that he's lost some of the Moorgate stoppers, but I believe when the 717s come with improved acceleration the intention is to reinstate these calls. If so, guess what, he'll be seen as another saviour for getting people more trains per hour!!
To be brutal, I don't think he's done anything to deal with the situation except write letters and continue the demand to strip GTR of the franchise.. He backed Grayling with full confidence and has also spent time laying blame on Network Rail. The DfT is doing a fine job apparently...
OCR of image:
Great Northern services — briefing to Grant Shapps MP
Objectives
To brief Grant Shapps MP on the case for transferring Great Northern services to TfL with the aim of increasing service quality for passengers at Brookmans Park and other Great Northern stations.
Briefing
The current franchise renewal programme requires the refranchising process for TSGN to take place between September 2019 and 202 I . DfT is planning a study that will show how the TSGN franchise could be remapped when it comes up for renewal. When this work commences, we will make the case for the transfer of contracting authority of parts of this, such as the Moorgate branch which is relatively easy to separate from the rest of the TSGN franchise.
If agreed by the Secretary of State, we could take on the Great Northern services at the time of franchise renewal in September 202 I . This is because the transfer would need to be specified and agreed before the process of preparing for transfer and franchise procurement can begin. This process typically takes two years.
We would welcome support from Grant Shapps in making the case to DfT ministers for services on the Moorgate branch to transfer as soon as possible so that passengers can benefit from the kind of service quality enjoyed by London Overground passengers.
Transferring services to TfL would improve frequency, reliability and accessibility, ensure more stations are staffed all day, reduce levels of fare evasion, enhance station maintenance and cleaning and bring fares and ticketing in line with TfL's integrated network to secure more affordable, seamless travel into and across the Capital. The proposed improvements are described in more detail below:
• All day station staffing at most stations; Modern help points and CCTV to improve customer perceptions regarding security; • Station deep cleans, including repairs of defective materials with an enhanced ongoing maintenance and cleaning regime; • Replacement platform seats where required; • Enhanced facilities for customers with impairments, focusing on colour contrasting handrails and steps on stairways; • Modern ticket machines providing an up to date retailing offer; • Improved train service reliability; • Improved off peak service frequencies on certain routes at certain times; • Extension of Freedom Pass validity and adoption of TfL's fares tariff, covering all Great Northern Moorgate services; • Reduced levels of fare evasion; • Extension of the availability of Oyster ticketing beyond London to Welwyn Garden City and Watton-at-Stone.
EVERY JOURNEY MATTERS
He's talking about stuff he knows is going to happen anyway, so when it does he can claim credit. Things like Oyster extending to WGC/Hertford. Things like negotiating with TfL to get them to take over the GN inners (he lives at Brookmans Park by the way, so note how the response mentions his station by name, as if this is all being done so HE gets a better train service) when that is deemed a near certainty anyway.
He's upset that he's lost some of the Moorgate stoppers, but I believe when the 717s come with improved acceleration the intention is to reinstate these calls. If so, guess what, he'll be seen as another saviour for getting people more trains per hour!!
To be brutal, I don't think he's done anything to deal with the situation except write letters and continue the demand to strip GTR of the franchise.. He backed Grayling with full confidence and has also spent time laying blame on Network Rail. The DfT is doing a fine job apparently...
OCR of image:
Great Northern services — briefing to Grant Shapps MP
Objectives
To brief Grant Shapps MP on the case for transferring Great Northern services to TfL with the aim of increasing service quality for passengers at Brookmans Park and other Great Northern stations.
Briefing
The current franchise renewal programme requires the refranchising process for TSGN to take place between September 2019 and 202 I . DfT is planning a study that will show how the TSGN franchise could be remapped when it comes up for renewal. When this work commences, we will make the case for the transfer of contracting authority of parts of this, such as the Moorgate branch which is relatively easy to separate from the rest of the TSGN franchise.
If agreed by the Secretary of State, we could take on the Great Northern services at the time of franchise renewal in September 202 I . This is because the transfer would need to be specified and agreed before the process of preparing for transfer and franchise procurement can begin. This process typically takes two years.
We would welcome support from Grant Shapps in making the case to DfT ministers for services on the Moorgate branch to transfer as soon as possible so that passengers can benefit from the kind of service quality enjoyed by London Overground passengers.
Transferring services to TfL would improve frequency, reliability and accessibility, ensure more stations are staffed all day, reduce levels of fare evasion, enhance station maintenance and cleaning and bring fares and ticketing in line with TfL's integrated network to secure more affordable, seamless travel into and across the Capital. The proposed improvements are described in more detail below:
• All day station staffing at most stations; Modern help points and CCTV to improve customer perceptions regarding security; • Station deep cleans, including repairs of defective materials with an enhanced ongoing maintenance and cleaning regime; • Replacement platform seats where required; • Enhanced facilities for customers with impairments, focusing on colour contrasting handrails and steps on stairways; • Modern ticket machines providing an up to date retailing offer; • Improved train service reliability; • Improved off peak service frequencies on certain routes at certain times; • Extension of Freedom Pass validity and adoption of TfL's fares tariff, covering all Great Northern Moorgate services; • Reduced levels of fare evasion; • Extension of the availability of Oyster ticketing beyond London to Welwyn Garden City and Watton-at-Stone.
EVERY JOURNEY MATTERS
Verulamius
Member
- Joined
- 30 Jul 2014
- Messages
- 327
Revised weekday pdf timetables are on the Thameslink website.
https://www.thameslinkrailway.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/timetables
Broadly these show the trains thyy are trying to run......
https://www.thameslinkrailway.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/timetables
Broadly these show the trains thyy are trying to run......
I wonder who's paying that bill?
Welwyn will stay Conservative though, it makes no sense.
Of course. The train situation would never be enough to influence voting. Grant is just trying to get in early, knowing things will improve, so people will thank (and already are thanking) him for making it happen.
It's funny how LO taking over is now his idea, as well as extending Oyster. He'll probably claim the 313s are getting on a bit and say he sorted the 717s. Probably isn't mentioning them until he knows when they're coming.
I guess DfT as GTR have already agreed their compensation package until end of September.
Bromley boy
Established Member
- Joined
- 18 Jun 2015
- Messages
- 4,609
I’ve heard (unverified and strictly hearsay) that the fee for TL replacement buses from sevenoakes has run into four figures per day.
It's a shame lying won't influence voting either then.
I know a few of the drivers and they're making thousands a week in overtime and rest day pay, always a winner.
Is DfT short for 'The Tax Payer'? If not, they'll cut back on transport developments in the regions (north, midlands, west but not HS2 or the commuter belt).
I guess I am just telling you what you already know.
Video of the session here:
Strong hints given that the proposed December Thameslink changes will be postponed.
Bromley boy
Established Member
- Joined
- 18 Jun 2015
- Messages
- 4,609
No idea about the bus side, but I’m sure there’s overtime galore available for the TL drivers who sign the crucial routes, should they wish to do it.
£600ish for a Sunday is worth getting out of bed for...
As I noted earlier, I don't see how they can fit in doing a new timetable when they're having to do emergency timetables non-stop. A sensible decision and it should be made early.
P.S. Forecasting 854 diagrams and ending up with over 900, says something about their forecasting abilities. I suspect that we have yet another instance of software expected to deliver diagram efficiencies that didn't happen.
There's a few more of these waiting to happen around the country. I keep telling people that no-one has ever realised any significant efficiencies when diagrams are produced in anger, but they don't listen.
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Failed Unit
Established Member
Yeah. GTR wouldn’t dip into their own profits. If they were picking up the tab the buses / taxis just wouldn’t happen.
Failed Unit
Established Member
Not sure how much difference that will make on the Thameslink side. On GN will make no difference. They will add a Brighton - Cambridge service. But considering the number of cancellations probably best they don’t.
Agent_Squash
Established Member
- Joined
- 22 Jul 2016
- Messages
- 1,271
Believe it’s just the 1tph Littlehampton-Bedford.
Failed Unit
Established Member
Sounds about right. Do not really a big loss in the scheme of things. I think if they push back May 2019 that may upset a few more people.
No, the DfT is a Government department that has budgets taken from the public purse. Some of the public in the UK are required to pay tax, and when they have paid that, that money becomes part of the public purse, i.e. it is no more 'taxpayer's money' than wages that we buy our food with are 'employer's money'.
Failed Unit
Established Member
Although this is probably network rails fault, it does highlight the problems at Finsbury Park well.
0839 service towards Gatwick Airport due to arrive on platform 2. It arrives on Platform 4 with the announcement at the station made as it pulls in.
Knowing GTR and the fact they probably won’t give passengers time to switch platforms queue mass stampede to platform 4. Lots of conflicting moves as people are trying to leave the train.
To my amazement everyone made it. (Although I suspect that was more down to the driver probably having to do the same crossing of the station then GTR looking after customers).
No idea why they moved at the last minute as it actually increased the delay and platform 2 remained empty. But IF the full timetable ever runs they need to avoid these stampedes and keep Thameslink on platform 2.
2nd time since timetable change I have made it into the core. Train still overcrowded upon leaving St Pancras and even with the current lottery many joined at Finsbury Park.
0839 service towards Gatwick Airport due to arrive on platform 2. It arrives on Platform 4 with the announcement at the station made as it pulls in.
Knowing GTR and the fact they probably won’t give passengers time to switch platforms queue mass stampede to platform 4. Lots of conflicting moves as people are trying to leave the train.
To my amazement everyone made it. (Although I suspect that was more down to the driver probably having to do the same crossing of the station then GTR looking after customers).
No idea why they moved at the last minute as it actually increased the delay and platform 2 remained empty. But IF the full timetable ever runs they need to avoid these stampedes and keep Thameslink on platform 2.
2nd time since timetable change I have made it into the core. Train still overcrowded upon leaving St Pancras and even with the current lottery many joined at Finsbury Park.
What if they announced Thameslink on platform 3 and opened the doors on both sides? Then a change to platform 4 isn't a big deal and people changing from Moorgate trains, mostly on platform 1, still have cross platform to 2.
Failed Unit
Established Member
That would help - but can it be done? I still think a bridge / subway would help so rail passengers don’t need to mix with people connecting with the tube. Need to pass through Barriers etc.
What is the status of these
- a summary of what they are trying to run that will be superseded next month by something more balanced / with more even gaps, or;
- the timetable in force for the foreseeable future?
I note that the weekend ones have been taken down on the RailPlan 20/20 website.
bramling
Veteran Member
They should just introduce the second Cambridge service as a King’s Cross service, and keep the second Peterborough service as a King’s Cross, the latter being virtually that in the current revised service anyway. All we then need is to put these two services back as 365s, and it actually wouldn’t be a bad timetable at all!
I think it would be suicidal to try and change the timetable again in December.
OwenB
Member
- Joined
- 8 Mar 2018
- Messages
- 300
What makes you think that will stop them?
The July timetable appears to have a lot of trains taken out, so as not to have them cancelled or missing each day. I have no idea if removing them entirely means you can't make delay repay claims against them (I assume that will be the case) but it should at least mean there's a level of certainty and we do away with the situation now that has trains running which nobody knows about.
It's ridiculous to run trains and have nobody on the platforms to board them. These people are at home/work cursing the lack of trains and they're moving around carrying nothing but air!
It's ridiculous to run trains and have nobody on the platforms to board them. These people are at home/work cursing the lack of trains and they're moving around carrying nothing but air!
Bishopstone
Established Member
Brighton once had four Thameslink trains per hour.
I am en route at an inopportune moment, as there are no TL arrivals between 13.19 and 15.12!
I am en route at an inopportune moment, as there are no TL arrivals between 13.19 and 15.12!
It's also the right thing to do so that the driver training/route learning can proceed more reliably, - even if it means empty trains running between the advertised ones.
Failed Unit
Established Member
Not sure I can agree here.
If you have had a 2 hour gap in the service (which is happening frequently on GN) running empty trains is a bit of a kick in the teeth to those on the platform.
On GN they seem to be running empty trains instead of the advertised service. Perhaps they should have trained drivers on the 700 between timetabled trains (rather than instead of them) before May. Obvious to both of us but not Charles Horton’s management team.
Pretty bad again this evening.
They also reinstate cancelled trains without telling anyone. 0727 Cambridge- London a common example so people from the villages drive to say Royston only to find it ran anyway and stopped without making it to any systems open to the general public.
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