Scotrail Franchise - Abellio

[Bodiddly]

If people wish to discuss Scottish economics and its support or otherwise by/for the rest of the UK I would ask that they do so on a new thread and leave this one for discussion of the new ScotRail franchise.

We don't ! This thread is about the new franchise. There seems to be a lot of jealousy about the plans Abellio are making for Scotrail's future. There is no secret deal here, it's just Transport for Scotland sees the benefit for all in investing in it's railway infrastructure not running it into the ground like other areas of the UK.
Stop moaning, it is what it is, get on with it!

 

[Strathclyder]

Not sure if this is the right place for this...

Starting on 17th May 2015, Abellio ScotRail will operate a hourly Sunday service on the Paisley Canal Line.
http://www.the-gazette.co.uk/news/r...0-first-trains-to-run-on-a-sunday-to-paisley/

 

[Scotrail88]

Now the Paisley Canal and also the Cumbernaulds are going to stop between Bellgrove and Springburn - all Strathclyde lines have a Sunday service.

The next big questions is when are they going to increase the Airdrie to Glasgow section on a Sunday. Big comparison between weekday and drop to half hourly on a Sunday. Im sure a short Partick to Airdrie stopper would be easily slotted in.

 

[Scotrail84]

Not sure if this is the right place for this...

Starting on 17th May 2015, Abellio ScotRail will operate a hourly Sunday service on the Paisley Canal Line.
http://www.the-gazette.co.uk/news/r...0-first-trains-to-run-on-a-sunday-to-paisley/

Hourly newcraighalls as well. Starting with the 09:11.

 

[me123]

Now the Paisley Canal and also the Cumbernaulds are going to stop between Bellgrove and Springburn - all Strathclyde lines have a Sunday service.

The next big questions is when are they going to increase the Airdrie to Glasgow section on a Sunday. Big comparison between weekday and drop to half hourly on a Sunday. Im sure a short Partick to Airdrie stopper would be easily slotted in.

I'm sure the demand is there for 4tph Airdrie-Glasgow (perhaps on to Balloch, with Argyle-Balloch runs terminating elsewhere, giving a North Clyde timetable more akin to the weekday service). Sunday services are well loaded, particularly with the opening of the Edinburgh line, and I'm sure the frequency could be justified during the core of the day (say, 9am-6pm).

 

[Altnabreac]

Now the Paisley Canal and also the Cumbernaulds are going to stop between Bellgrove and Springburn - all Strathclyde lines have a Sunday service.

The next big questions is when are they going to increase the Airdrie to Glasgow section on a Sunday. Big comparison between weekday and drop to half hourly on a Sunday. Im sure a short Partick to Airdrie stopper would be easily slotted in.

I think it would still leave Carstairs, Coatbridge Central, Kennishead, Priesthill & Darnley and Nitshill without a Sunday service in Strathclyde.

While the first two probably have little demand there would seem to be a reasonable case for say 2 hourly calls at the latter 3.

 

[380gk]

I think it's crucial that Gourock goes half hourly during the day (5tph SX to 1 on a Sunday) and the Croy route to go half hourly - currently hourly and full and standing on most trains on a Sunday.

Stations via Maxwell Park on a Sunday also only have an hourly service to Newton and back, with no trains to Queens Park. This is a drop from 5tph to Glasgow to 1.

 

[hibtastic]

I hope abellio sort out the fife circle. Too many times recently has a single 158 turned up absolutely packed resulting in people being left on the platform at several stations. Not really good enough.

I've said it a few times but single 158s are too small for the fife circle services and I hope abellio have plans to run the trains as double units or preferably retain some 170s for it.

 

[380gk]

With fewer 170s come April, I wouldn't hold your breath..
There should be more, however, released by bringing in the HST - although this may result in more 170s going.

 

[Butts]

It's high time we had a Sunday Service from GLQ extending to Falkirk Grahamston and not just going as far as that carbuncle known as Cumbernauld.

 

[Scotrail84]

I hope abellio sort out the fife circle. Too many times recently has a single 158 turned up absolutely packed resulting in people being left on the platform at several stations. Not really good enough.

I've said it a few times but single 158s are too small for the fife circle services and I hope abellio have plans to run the trains as double units or preferably retain some 170s for it.

Other than rugby days Fife circles are rarely full and standing especially during the day.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

It's high time we had a Sunday Service from GLQ extending to Falkirk Grahamston and not just going as far as that carbuncle known as Cumbernauld.

There's no demand for it. Other than peak periods those trains are dead East of Cumbernauld min-sat.

 

[overthewater]

Other than rugby days Fife circles are rarely full and standing especially during the day.

What time? 10-2pm if so then that is correct, but outside those times 158 are crap.

I've seen plenty of 3-4pm trains full, plenty of Saturday trains full. The last few trains can be pretty full aswell.

I hope abellio sort out the fife circle. Too many times recently has a single 158 turned up absolutely packed resulting in people being left on the platform at several stations. Not really good enough.

I've said it a few times but single 158s are too small for the fife circle services and I hope abellio have plans to run the trains as double units or preferably retain some 170s for it.

Dont hold your breath for Abellio to sort out the Fife circles, FIRST and NAT Expres both failed. Mind you the engineers no longer have to ride along to keep the trains moving, but at least your get a place to stand....

 

[hibtastic]

Other than rugby days Fife circles are rarely full and standing especially during the day.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I beg to differ, I use the fife circle almost every day and I have seen people left behind on platforms many times now, not just rugby Saturdays. It's happened to me twice. In any case a 2 coach 158 is not suitable.

 

[Scotrail84]

I beg to differ, I use the fife circle almost every day and I have seen people left behind on platforms many times now, not just rugby Saturdays. It's happened to me twice. In any case a 2 coach 158 is not suitable.

Really? From where to where and what stations were pass left behind?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

What time? 10-2pm if so then that is correct, but outside those times 158 are crap.

I've seen plenty of 3-4pm trains full, plenty of Saturday trains full. The last few trains can be pretty full aswell.

Well pretty full doesn't warrant extra coaches does it? You usually find there are seats but people are scared to sit next to people they don't know so they opt to stand. The few trains from edinburgh through Fife are diagramed for 170 traction, a 3 car at the very least mate.......

 

[overthewater]

Really? From where to where and what stations were pass left behind?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

What time? 10-2pm if so then that is correct, but outside those times 158 are crap.

I've seen plenty of 3-4pm trains full, plenty of Saturday trains full. The last few trains can be pretty full aswell..

Well pretty full doesn't warrant extra coaches does it? You usually find there are seats but people are scared to sit next to people they don't know so they opt to stand. The few trains from edinburgh through Fife are diagramed for 170 traction, a 3 car at the very least mate.......

I dont know what your on about? The last train tends to be 170, so your reply only relates to the last tain it seem. If the last train was cut down it would make it worse, and its bad enough already with all the happy jolly people using it. Of course there are plenty of double up 158 running about.

 

[hibtastic]

I beg to differ, I use the fife circle almost every day and I have seen people left behind on platforms many times now, not just rugby Saturdays. It's happened to me twice. In any case a 2 coach 158 is not suitable.

It's happened to me departing Edinburgh most of all and also on trains heading to Edinburgh, generally after Dunfermline. Yesterday for example (yes I know it was a rugby saturday) a large number of passengers were left behind at Rosyth, Inverkeithing and Dalmeny. Surely scotrail should have realised that trains would be busy? Leaving any passenger behind is not good enough.

On all occasions the train has been a 2-coach 158 which is kind of my point, if these are going to be the trains left for this route when the 170s are gone, they will not be big enough unless running in multiple.

 

[Agent_c]

It's happened to me departing Edinburgh most of all and also on trains heading to Edinburgh, generally after Dunfermline. Yesterday for example (yes I know it was a rugby saturday) a large number of passengers were left behind at Rosyth, Inverkeithing and Dalmeny. Surely scotrail should have realised that trains would be busy? Leaving any passenger behind is not good enough.

Maybe now they lost the contract they're in "Don't care" mode?

 

[Scotrail84]

I dont know what your on about? The last train tends to be 170, so your reply only relates to the last tain it seem. If the last train was cut down it would make it worse, and its bad enough already with all the happy jolly people using it. Of course there are plenty of double up 158 running about.

22:39,23:08,23:19 are all diagramed for turbo traction. Sometimes even a five or 6 car.

16:09 inner circle 1x158 (2)
16:19 cowdenbeath 1x170 (3)
16:42 inner circle 1x170 (3)
16:49 cowdenbeath 1x170 (3)
17:00 dundee 2x158 (4)
17:08 outer circle 1x67/0 plus 6 mk2s (5, 1/2 guards van)
17:11 Kirkcaldy via aberdour 2x158 (4)
17:48 inner circle 1x170/1x158 (5)
17:51 outer circle 1x170 (3)
18:00 dundee 1x170 (3)
18:15 inner circle 1x170 (3)
18:25 outer circle 1x158 (2)
18:40 perth 1x158 (2)
18:50 Glenrothes 1x158 (2)
19:00 Dundee 1x170 (3)
19:13 Kirkcaldy 1x156 (2)
19:50 Glenrothes 1x158 (2)
20:00 Dundee 1x170 (3)
20:50 Glenrothes 1x170 (3)
21:08 Dundee 1x170 (3)
21:49 perth 1x158 (2)
22:09 Dundee 1x158 (2)
22:39 Perth 1x170 (3)
23:09 Dundee 1x170 (cover varies 3/6)
23:19 Perth 1x170 (cover varies 3/6)
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

It's happened to me departing Edinburgh most of all and also on trains heading to Edinburgh, generally after Dunfermline. Yesterday for example (yes I know it was a rugby saturday) a large number of passengers were left behind at Rosyth, Inverkeithing and Dalmeny. Surely scotrail should have realised that trains would be busy? Leaving any passenger behind is not good enough.

On all occasions the train has been a 2-coach 158 which is kind of my point, if these are going to be the trains left for this route when the 170s are gone, they will not be big enough unless running in multiple.

I have never seen a Fife train leave edinburgh with a normal service running being so busy that people have been left behind. They wouldn't allow that imo.

Coming into edinburgh I'd say it happens very occasionally.

 

[hibtastic]

Believe me it's happened- i emailed scotrail to complain about it after I was left behind, had to get another train to inverkeithing and then a taxi to dunfermline.

Never noticed the 156 on fife either - didn't realise they were allocated to the circle.

 

[Scotrail84]

Believe me it's happened- i emailed scotrail to complain about it after I was left behind, had to get another train to inverkeithing and then a taxi to dunfermline.

Never noticed the 156 on fife either - didn't realise they were allocated to the circle.

There is one diagram a day. 19:11 Kirkcaldy and the 20:26 return. It doesn't go right round but changes ends in the loop then uses the cross over to gain the up line. All stops there and back.

The 10:15 inner circle on a Sunday used to be booked a sprinter, this has now reverted to a single turbo as its a very busy train being the first one in from dunfermline on a Sunday.

156s do make appearances on the circle from time to time in the event of failures etc. However it's only edinburgh men that sign them as perth, dundee and Aberdeen crews can't work them.

Would it not have been cheaper just to wait on the next one up round the branch to dunfermline than get a taxi?

 

[hibtastic]

There is one diagram a day. 19:11 Kirkcaldy and the 20:26 return. It doesn't go right round but changes ends in the loop then uses the cross over to gain the up line. All stops there and back.

The 10:15 inner circle on a Sunday used to be booked a sprinter, this has now reverted to a single turbo as its a very busy train being the first one in from dunfermline on a Sunday.

156s do make appearances on the circle from time to time in the event of failures etc. However it's only edinburgh men that sign them as perth, dundee and Aberdeen crews can't work them.

Would it not have been cheaper just to wait on the next one up round the branch to dunfermline than get a taxi?

Yes it would have been cheaper but I had to be in Dunfermline for a certain time so it was my only option.

 

[Scotrail84]

Yes it would have been cheaper but I had to be in Dunfermline for a certain time so it was my only option.

Do you have an interest in the industry or do you just come here to moan and complain ?

 

[6Z09]

Maybe now they lost the contract they're in "Don't care" mode?

Maybe in the privatised railway there is very little spare stock even if they know it will be busy!
No spare drivers and coaches lying about like in the BR days.

 

[hibtastic]

Do you have an interest in the industry or do you just come here to moan and complain ?

Haha I don't mean to come across like a moaner I just get annoyed as on the whole Scotrail services are very good and generally much better than elsewhere in the UK (outside London).

A lot of effort is being put into getting people out of their cars and on to public transport and to see Scotrail shooting itself in the foot by leaving people of platforms because the train is too small is annoying.

 

[Scotrail84]

Haha I don't mean to come across like a moaner I just get annoyed as on the whole Scotrail services are very good and generally much better than elsewhere in the UK (outside London).

A lot of effort is being put into getting people out of their cars and on to public transport and to see Scotrail shooting itself in the foot by leaving people of platforms because the train is too small is annoying.

Remember, it's the same for the crews that work these trains. Don't think they come down to the trains and see a 2 car and go oh that's brilliant we are going to leave folk behind today. They make their concerns known to the proper authorities regarding strengthening units but it's usually to no avail as there's no available units to strengthen services.

ScotRail are set to lose 4 170s in about 29 days. The two loco hauls will be returning to compensate this but that's at peak time only and not until may timetable change. Things might get worse.

Interesting username by the way.

 

[14sutton]

Nobody has noticed that the full franchise agreement is now available, happy reading everyone!!!

http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/rail/scotrail-franchise/scotrail-franchise-renewal-programme


Beds: Scroll halfway down

http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/rail/scotrail-franchise/scotrail-franchise-renewal-programme

 

[clc]

Nobody has noticed that the full franchise agreement is now available, happy reading everyone!!!

http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/rail/scotrail-franchise/scotrail-franchise-renewal-programme

Anyone wanting to know how the composition of the fleet will change should go to page 21: http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk...Redacted Franchise Agreement - CU version.pdf

 

[aylesbury]

Seems to be a great deal of animosity towards Abello on here they won the franchise in a fair contest and Transport For Scotland seem pleased with what is proposed. So why don't people wait and see what happen when the new owners have been in control for a few months then they can vent their spleens.

 

[Argosy]

Nobody has noticed that the full franchise agreement is now available, happy reading everyone!!!

http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/rail/scotrail-franchise/scotrail-franchise-renewal-programme

Nith Valley line to be electrified then (p344 Table 3).

 

[ScotTrains]

Anybody else notice the very last page of the franchise agreement is page number 666.