Transpennine Express staff availability issues

[northernchris]

Transpennine Express look to be having some difficulties today with traincrew availability. Is there some sort of unofficial dispute or do they rely a lot on overtime to cover the schedule and due to the Bank Holiday weekend fewer staff have volunteered?

 

[greyman42]

As far as I know, Saturdays are rostered into their weekly shift pattern.

 

[daikilo]

Looks like 2-3 turns not covered so far.

 

[Dieseldriver]

As far as I know, Saturdays are rostered into their weekly shift pattern.

There is no company where Saturdays are optional.

 

[185]

When it comes to train companies, none that I know (driving grade) are voluntary Saturdays.

If I recall right, TPE = Sundays inside the working week for drivers, not voluntary, (I think) thus, this is entirely the company's problem, not enough drivers for a growing service requirement. After restructuring (harmonisation), the only thing which (I think) remained voluntary was overtime, and no sensible train company should expect a perfect service relying on drivers permanently working beyond their contracted weekly hours.

 

[dilbertphil]

There are not enough drivers to cover the work at present. TPE are relying on drivers working rest days. Understandably drivers who are rostered weekends off like to spend them with their families so TPE struggle at the weekends to cover work. The blame lays solely at the companies door, they have known the additional work was coming for years and have done nothing about ensuring they have the staff to cover it. All the training for 68's etc that they are trying to rush through is not helping either.

 

[HowardGWR]

There are not enough drivers to cover the work at present. TPE are relying on drivers working rest days. Understandably drivers who are rostered weekends off like to spend them with their families so TPE struggle at the weekends to cover work. The blame lays solely at the companies door, they have known the additional work was coming for years and have done nothing about ensuring they have the staff to cover it. All the training for 68's etc that they are trying to rush through is not helping either.

Sounds an awful lot like GWR and that is owned by the same company, isn't it? Is short staffing a First Group policy I wonder?

 

[Bennski]

There were a few jobs advertised for trainee drivers and qualified drivers in York, Newcastle, Glasgow and Manchester so maybe this is them trying to address the shortness of drivers perhaps? But yes the expanding routes and services has been known for a while god knows why they are still having issues with staff now.

 

[reb0118]

There is no company where Saturdays are optional.

Unless you are special.

 

[Agent_Squash]

Sounds an awful lot like GWR and that is owned by the same company, isn't it? Is short staffing a First Group policy I wonder?

It’s been a policy since BR - hardly new.