Heathrow Connect cancellations

[Taunton]

This morning (25 Oct) there were major problems on the M4 between Central London and Heathrow. Complete closure of the motorway all morning. So a good opportunity for the railway to show what they can do.

Meanwhile there was some issue at Heathrow station as well. As so often, the response was to shut down the stopping Connect service completely, but continue the Express. This is what happens every time there is any issue on the service. Abandon the local Connect service at the first sign of delays and cut off all the intermediate stations from Heathrow, while continuing with the overpriced non stop Express. GW of course carry on between Paddington and Hayes.

 

[matt_world2004]

Heathrow connect did not book ticket acceptance for the 140 either. Naughty

 

[SWT_USER]

Same thing every time. HEX are not interested in Heathrow Connect and do not care about anything apart from the premium express service. It is run as an operational inconvenience for them.

Crossrail in a couple of years and thankfully that will be the last we see of Heathrow Connect.

 

[Taunton]

If the DfT could be bothered to do their job for a second they would have cracked down on Heathrow for this long ago. Franchised service or not.

 

[glbotu]

If the DfT could be bothered to do their job for a second they would have cracked down on Heathrow for this long ago. Franchised service or not.

I don't think there's much they could do about it. The track from Heathrow Junction to the Airport isn't part of their remit (until they get it back in 2022). That was the original deal made, I believe.

 

[Tetchytyke]

I don't think there's much they could do about it. The track from Heathrow Junction to the Airport isn't part of their remit

There isn't much they can do about the service from the airport to Hayes. But Connect is a joint venture between HEx and GWR, and GWR are responsible for the Connect service even though it uses HEx drivers and trains.

Clamping down on GWR when the Connect service goes up the spout may well focus a few minds, though this didn't happen last summer when HEx's 332s were all withdrawn due to safety problems so I doubt it will ever happen.

 

[Taunton]

But that's the issue, this is a public service into Britain's major airport, and whether it's a franchised service or not, the DfT is responsible overall for railways and airports in the country. This "nuffin' to do with us so nuffin' we can do" attitude of the DfT to this approach of Heathrow to cancel the Connect but leave the overpriced Express running every time there is an operational problem is just inappropriate.

 

[matt_world2004]

It also shows the contempt that heathrow airport holdings hold local residents in. I would have made it an condition of any airport expansion that Heathrow Airport Rail stations were in zone 6 as a condition of airport expansion

 

[Blindtraveler]

I would be canseling or at least reducing express as aposed to connect in this situation, the entire opperation stinks IMO.

I assume this opperational issue was simply a lack of drivers?

 

[SWT_USER]

There isn't much they can do about the service from the airport to Hayes. But Connect is a joint venture between HEx and GWR, and GWR are responsible for the Connect service even though it uses HEx drivers and trains.

Clamping down on GWR when the Connect service goes up the spout may well focus a few minds, though this didn't happen last summer when HEx's 332s were all withdrawn due to safety problems so I doubt it will ever happen.

Exactly. I believe Chiltern were fined for contracting out their franchised service to WSMR and not providing it themselves, yet GWR fail to provide half their franchised service with no notice and got away without punishment.

When the trains were withdrawn HEX wouldn't even compromise and run an hourly connect - they insisted on running the full express service instead thereby shafting thousands of West London commuters so a few people could get to Heathrow 15 minutes quicker.

It would be a great service if they put some effort in to running it. As it is when I fly to Heathrow I have to consider carefully whether to use it and would never rely on the first train of the day if I needed to get a flight.

 

[Bletchleyite]

To be fair, always having a train in hand when going to anything time-critical is sensible. If not possible, the train is probably the wrong choice on that occasion. And bear in mind that the first train of the day is disproportionately likely to be cancelled.

 

[matt_world2004]

To be fair, always having a train in hand when going to anything time-critical is sensible. If not possible, the train is probably the wrong choice on that occasion. And bear in mind that the first train of the day is disproportionately likely to be cancelled.

what like work?

 

[Bletchleyite]

what like work?

If work is such that a penalty will apply for being late, or it will cause a problem, yes - a good example being a member of traincrew. If not, e.g. if like in my job missed time can simply be worked on the end of the day instead, no. But if it happens often, probably yes in both cases.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Taunton]

I suspect that the Connect is now London's most unreliable rail service, a dubious honour it seems to take have taken over from the Bakerloo Line north of Queens Park (the latter used to get cancelled if there was an earthquake in North Korea ). But cancellation of the Connect can go on all day, or in the case of the 322 issue, which the quite serviceable Connect trains were robbed to use as cover, all week.

Isn't dealing with public service providers who hold the public in contempt meant to be one of the things governments are there to stop?

 

[Dr_Intoxicated]

It also shows the contempt that heathrow airport holdings hold local residents in. I would have made it an condition of any airport expansion that Heathrow Airport Rail stations were in zone 6 as a condition of airport expansion

It is not too late, presumably this could still be written into the enabling bill that parliament will vote on next year. Then it is up to the airport to decide which it needs more, the extra runway or the revenue from the Heathrow - Hays service.

When crossrail runs to Heathrow will there still be a premium to be paid between Heathrow and Hays?

 

[matt_world2004]

It is not too late, presumably this could still be written into the enabling bill that parliament will vote on next year. Then it is up to the airport to decide which it needs more, the extra runway or the revenue from the Heathrow - Hays service.

When crossrail runs to Heathrow will there still be a premium to be paid between Heathrow and Hays?

Ive heard TfL don't want there to be a premium fare between Heathrow and Hayes because it is ****ing up their bus service a treat.

 

[Taunton]

Heathrow connect did not book ticket acceptance for the 140 either.

Could you explain "140" for me please.

 

[matt_world2004]

Could you explain "140" for me please.

It's a bus that goes through Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow Airport so is used for ticket acceptance when the Heathrow Connect goes down. Likewise the 105 serves the same function from Southall

 

[Bletchleyite]

Ive heard TfL don't want there to be a premium fare between Heathrow and Hayes because it is ****ing up their bus service a treat.

I guess by that you mean the bus service is carrying too many passengers, many of whom would use the train were it not for the inflated fare?

 

[matt_world2004]

I guess by that you mean the bus service is carrying too many passengers, many of whom would use the train were it not for the inflated fare?

Yes. , The 140 itself is at peak frequency already any further increases in the 140 frequency will just result in bunching of the bus service it currently operates at 9 buses an hour off peak however crosses two major roundabouts /road junctions where through normal traffic signalling can take over 7 minutes to cross. So any further increase in frequency will just result in the route becoming unreliable.

They are looking at an x140 that would run between mill hill and Heathrow if they cannot get the airport as part of the zonal fare structure. By having an express bus service it would mitigate the effects of bunching.

 

[Groningen]

A tweet from National Rail.

#HeathrowConnect - your ticket will be accepted on London Bus route 140, running between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow Central Bus Station.

Incident created: 29/10/2016 11:26
Last updated: 29/10/2016 14:00
Route affected: between London Paddington and Heathrow Airport

TOC(s) affected: Heathrow Connect
Description: a shortage of train crew between London Paddington and Heathrow Airport means a reduced Heathrow Connect service is running until the end of the day on Sunday 30th October.

In order to help you complete your journey, your ticket will be accepted on London Bus route 140, running between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow Central Bus Station.

 

[Taunton]

Are they short of crews because people won't join them as there's no long term future with Crossrail coming along? It appears "reduced" means nothing at all between Hayes and Heathrow Airport.

 

[DasLunatic]

Are they short of crews because people won't join them as there's no long term future with Crossrail coming along?

Considering Heathrow Connect is half-owned by First, I would have thought their drivers would simply be subsumed into GWR or given jobs in Heathrow proper. Or am I applying too much common sense here?

 

[Nippy]

The drivers are supplied by HEX, and as such, operate both services.

 

[Hadders]

All the Connect services appeared to be cancelled yesterday afternoon. The services that were running between Paddington and Hayes & Harlington were GWR Turbos.

 

[Kite159]

The TVMs at Heathrow today had little pieces of paper stuck to the top saying that "Heathrow Connect was only running between Paddington & Hayes & Harlington. I'm guessing the staff would be at hand to assist in any passengers by directing them towards the more expensive Heathrow Express (which in all fairness the 13:23 service did depart Terminals 2&3 looking rather cosy) or towards the bus station.

 

[Taunton]

The TVMs at Heathrow today had little pieces of paper stuck to the top saying that "Heathrow Connect was only running between Paddington & Hayes & Harlington."

That's not Heathrow Connect; it's a GW franchised service. It seems all the Connect emus have stayed in the depot all weekend.

 

[Kite159]

That's not Heathrow Connect; it's a GW franchised service. It seems all the Connect emus have stayed in the depot all weekend.

Bar 360204 which was running T4 shuttles this afternoon

At least the very limited functional TVMs at Heathrow told potential passengers that Heathrow Connect wasn't running

 

[Nippy]

That's not Heathrow Connect; it's a GW franchised service. It seems all the Connect emus have stayed in the depot all weekend.

Not quite correct. The 360s were out on Sunday running between Padd and Hayes.

 

[SWT_USER]

Bar 360204 which was running T4 shuttles this afternoon

At least the very limited functional TVMs at Heathrow told potential passengers that Heathrow Connect wasn't running

of course they were! Wouldn't want to miss an opportunity to fleece the punters.

Does anyone know what is happening to HEX drivers post crossrail? Is there an agreement for a few to transfer to crossrail / other TOC's?