This is the second thread I have started about the Victoria Line, but I use it multiple times per week (including for work) so I am very aware of changes to its usually brilliant service.
Over the past 6 months or so there have been periods where some or all trains have been travelling slower than usual, particularly on the approach to stations. When it occurs, it seems completely random - some trains are still travelling at the normal speed, others will go slower for part of the route, while yet more will do so for the entire line. It is also hard to tell whether drivers are actually in control of this or not - I have witnessed duties running significantly late due to earlier or ongoing disruption, but still in the slower mode.
There seem to now be two 'modes' for the trains - the original, high speed one, and a slower one that always involves the exact same amended top speeds and braking routines, so clearly still automatic operation. As I said previously, many trains will jump between modes depending on the section of the line, which in of itself seems random.
This all started around when it emerged that noise levels on parts of the line were dangerous (October last year I believe), and a 'go-slow' strike by drivers was rumoured. However, there seemed to be no correlation between where the trains would go slower than usual and where the loudest parts of the line were. And between then and now, virtually every loud section of the line has now been remedied, so there is no reason for the trains to go slower from a noise standpoint.
The usual journey times can still be maintained in the slower mode, due to less time spent at stations in it, but presumably problems occur when trains are running late and trying to make up time, as well as potentially during peak times where much more dwell time is required at each station due to the chronic overcrowding (why the hell did they 'postpone' Crossrail 2?).
This problem has come and gone during the last six months. It has happened less recently - there was a period of over a month where I didn't witness a single train running slower, but seems to have resurfaced over the past few days, hence my curiosity.
As with my first thread about this line, just wondering if people more knowledgeable than me know why this has been occuring, and how much of it is down to individual driver choice?
,
Over the past 6 months or so there have been periods where some or all trains have been travelling slower than usual, particularly on the approach to stations. When it occurs, it seems completely random - some trains are still travelling at the normal speed, others will go slower for part of the route, while yet more will do so for the entire line. It is also hard to tell whether drivers are actually in control of this or not - I have witnessed duties running significantly late due to earlier or ongoing disruption, but still in the slower mode.
There seem to now be two 'modes' for the trains - the original, high speed one, and a slower one that always involves the exact same amended top speeds and braking routines, so clearly still automatic operation. As I said previously, many trains will jump between modes depending on the section of the line, which in of itself seems random.
This all started around when it emerged that noise levels on parts of the line were dangerous (October last year I believe), and a 'go-slow' strike by drivers was rumoured. However, there seemed to be no correlation between where the trains would go slower than usual and where the loudest parts of the line were. And between then and now, virtually every loud section of the line has now been remedied, so there is no reason for the trains to go slower from a noise standpoint.
The usual journey times can still be maintained in the slower mode, due to less time spent at stations in it, but presumably problems occur when trains are running late and trying to make up time, as well as potentially during peak times where much more dwell time is required at each station due to the chronic overcrowding (why the hell did they 'postpone' Crossrail 2?).
This problem has come and gone during the last six months. It has happened less recently - there was a period of over a month where I didn't witness a single train running slower, but seems to have resurfaced over the past few days, hence my curiosity.
As with my first thread about this line, just wondering if people more knowledgeable than me know why this has been occuring, and how much of it is down to individual driver choice?
,
