[notoemt]

Are there any rules governing communicating delays with passengers? I've noticed that EMT are particularly poor with onboard communications. So much so I do wonder if there are any staff on the trains at all. Today my train was 30 minutes late into my home station (left on time) - I presume from getting stuck behind a FCC train plus slow running past kettering. I don't know, as I say the staff just ignored it.

by the by is something gone kaput on the MM? I saw that two trains from Sheffield had been cancelled on the board. The 17:55 and 1800 were also late leaving the StP.

[TEW]

TfL have a rule that train operators must apologise for a delay within 30 seconds (I think its 30 seconds) of being stopped. I'm not aware of any equivalent on the mainline railway though.

[dvboy]

I think sometime it's the individual staff on board, rather than the TOC. You get good and bad (or no) information from all TOCs really.

[pendolino]

Originally Posted by TEW

TfL have a rule that train operators must apologise for a delay within 30 seconds (I think its 30 seconds) of being stopped. I'm not aware of any equivalent on the mainline railway though.

On Southern we are expected to make an announcement within 2 minutes. Not always possible though if you're DOO and on the CSR to the signaller at the time.

[AlterEgo]

There's and initiative called PIDD (Passenger Information During Disruption), which some TOCs are already spearheading.

ATOC's code of practice for further reading:

http://www.atoc.org/clientfiles/File/ACOP015v3%20-%20PIDD%20(2).pdf

[tsr]

notoemt: OHLE problems have caused delays to all services running near Harpenden. A FCC train got stuck earlier and had to reverse, and it was deemed that no evacuation procedure was required. Since that point in time, the slow lines were closed, but the down slow line has now reopened, as far as I know. This caused congestion and the problem continues to cause delays of up to 45 minutes (it will do until further notice). NRE have more information available on their website.

[142094]

Originally Posted by TEW

TfL have a rule that train operators must apologise for a delay within 30 seconds (I think its 30 seconds) of being stopped. I'm not aware of any equivalent on the mainline railway though.

Is that a hard and fast rule or just 'best practice'? I know that on London Underground delays are communicated quickly due to the short headways between services and the fact that a delay will inevitably mean trains back up into the tunnels.

[benk1342]

I've found FCC drivers to be pretty communicative. Usually just as I am starting to wonder what the hold-up is there is an announcement telling me what the hold-up is.

[trentside]

Originally Posted by 142094

Is that a hard and fast rule or just 'best practice'? I know that on London Underground delays are communicated quickly due to the short headways between services and the fact that a delay will inevitably mean trains back up into the tunnels.

I believe it's a mandatory requirement on LU. 30 seconds does seem a little quick, even with short headways. I was once on a Circle line train heading towards Hammersmith, following close to a H&C train and being held in most platforms - the driver initially made manual announcements, before switching to repeatedly playing the automated version. It seemed a little excessive, especially on an open section of line.

As for EMT - I've not experienced this issue myself. I do find that sometimes the PA system on the Meridians is less than perfect, being inaudible or subject to a great deal of interference or just randomly cutting out.

[Class377/5]

Originally Posted by AlterEgo

There's and initiative called PIDD (Passenger Information During Disruption), which some TOCs are already spearheading.

ATOC's code of practice for further reading:

http://www.atoc.org/clientfiles/File...PIDD%20(2).pdf

Originally Posted by notoemt

Are there any rules governing communicating delays with passengers? I've noticed that EMT are particularly poor with onboard communications. So much so I do wonder if there are any staff on the trains at all. Today my train was 30 minutes late into my home station (left on time) - I presume from getting stuck behind a FCC train plus slow running past kettering. I don't know, as I say the staff just ignored it.

by the by is something gone kaput on the MM? I saw that two trains from Sheffield had been cancelled on the board. The 17:55 and 1800 were also late leaving the StP.

PIDD is no longer a initiative but now a licence condition of being a TOC. There are rules now set in motion but as of the 1st April it became formal. Some TOC's are indeed pushing forward but Network Rail is also working towards things. Also different TOC's have different rules and different information. For example on the Midland MainLine you have Netirk Rail run St Pancras, FCC Luton/Aurport/Bedford before you hit 'home' turf. NR and FCC won't give th same level of information as say Wellingborough as they will get internal stuff.

How ever a move towards a single set up is coming and you may be surprised who by.

[tsr]

Originally Posted by class377/5

...you may be surprised who by.

British Rail?

[Class377/5]

Originally Posted by tsr

British Rail?

No. Trying to remember the whole list but FCC, SWT and LM are very keen. (note all the different owning groups).

[causton]

Originally Posted by trentside

I was once on a Circle line train heading towards Hammersmith, following close to a H&C train and being held in most platforms - the driver initially made manual announcements, before switching to repeatedly playing the automated version. It seemed a little excessive, especially on an open section of line.

Any smart driver would wait for a couple of minutes at the first station and/or drive slowly between stations... so they were either only 'delayed' once at the first station or always moving. Many people feel better if a train is moving slowly than if it constantly stops and starts if it's catching up with the one ahead!

[EM2]

Originally Posted by benk1342

I've found FCC drivers to be pretty communicative. Usually just as I am starting to wonder what the hold-up is there is an announcement telling me what the hold-up is.

Interesting. If you believe the comments sent to the FCC Twitter account by customers, you would assume that they never do!

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by 142094

Is that a hard and fast rule or just 'best practice'? I know that on London Underground delays are communicated quickly due to the short headways between services and the fact that a delay will inevitably mean trains back up into the tunnels.

Rule. A PA must be made within 30 seconds of stopping in a tunnel, and within 90 seconds in a platform.