Scotrail Franchise - Abellio

[matchmaker]

Are you certain it was a Labour MP?

The only Labour MP in Scotland is Ian Murray, the representative of Edinburgh South (and was also active in the "Save the Jambos" campaign).

Otherwise, I am with you on the above points.

I'll try not to hold that against him...

 

[Clansman]

Exorcising political bias would probably really help everyone in the dispute! The problem is that they've been exercising it too often

That would be the an ideal solution indeed

 

[haggishunter]

Any comment on this ticket?

 

[takno]

Any comment on this ticket?

Highland Railcard isn't valid for that journey is it? Seems cheap even with a railcard. Apparently Abellio haven't replaced their conductors' ticket machines yet.

 

[Blindtraveler]

My first go on a sceenic spec refurb 158 today and I was not disapointed. 2020 mods done too and what you now have is a very high quality offering. Well done TS/Scotrail, I hope this has set the standard for whats to come in future.

 

[Altnabreac]

My first go on a sceenic spec refurb 158 today and I was not disapointed. 2020 mods done too and what you now have is a very high quality offering. Well done TS/Scotrail, I hope this has set the standard for whats to come in future.

Good to hear. Not been on one yet but that is reassuring.

 

[oldman]

Yes, we're all sick of it, the whole of Scotland's sick of no hopers criticising the broadly competent ....

What, all 5 million of us? Wow! North Korean levels of unanimity.

 

[47271]

What, all 5 million of us? Wow! North Korean levels of unanimity.

He he, I concede that I might have deployed a little bit of hyperbole there, but nobody's disagreed with my statement on here yet have they? [emoji38]

 

[380101]

Seems cheap even with a railcard. Apparently Abellio haven't replaced their conductors' ticket machines yet.

Scotrail replaced Avantix in the summer with STARmobile provided by Fujitsu and using Samsung mobile devices.

 

[Mordac]

My first go on a sceenic spec refurb 158 today and I was not disapointed. 2020 mods done too and what you now have is a very high quality offering. Well done TS/Scotrail, I hope this has set the standard for whats to come in future.

Anyone have or know of pics of the inside of one of these units?

 

[oldman]

He he, I concede that I might have deployed a little bit of hyperbole there, but nobody's disagreed with my statement on here yet have they? [emoji38]

I can't really be bothered arguing politics on a railway forum to be honest, but for balance it is the broadly incompetent (but photogenic) Hamza Yousaf who has been talking about stripping Abellio of their franchise and using the break-clause mid-franchise in response to relatively minor underperformance, so just as bad as the opposition politicians.

 

[amcluesent]

ScotRail shows ‘no improvement’ after two major incidents

ScotRail Alliance managing director Phil Verster said: “This was an extremely challenging period.

“As well as having some very low temperatures to contend with, we also saw two significant incidents which caused widespread disruption on the network.”

Mr Verster said the bad weather which hit the railways may not have been noticed by passengers.

http://www.scotsman.com/news/transp...provement-after-two-major-incidents-1-4317936

 

[scotraildriver]

Doesn't show much but best i've got!

 

[47271]

I can't really be bothered arguing politics on a railway forum to be honest, but for balance it is the broadly incompetent (but photogenic) Hamza Yousaf who has been talking about stripping Abellio of their franchise and using the break-clause mid-franchise in response to relatively minor underperformance, so just as bad as the opposition politicians.

Oh I know. At no point did I suggest that Yousaf is competent, I don't think that he is. Scotrail is broadly competent, far more so than a lot of operators bumbling along unnoticed, and that's what's grevious about the situation we find ourselves in.

I can't really be bothered arguing about Yousaf's photogenic qualities on a railway forum to be honest.

Meanwhile, I see that Good Point's seen to it that we've got more quotes in from The Scotsman. The crisis continues on the basis that:

The figure for the period was 0.2 points up on the same period last year

 

[Mordac]

View attachment 29878

Doesn't show much but best i've got!

Thanks, it's better than I had before!

That looks pretty good, certainly a step up on the Haymarket 158s, which I always thought felt really oppressive inside, to the point where I actually preferred a 156. Those seats look good as well.

Do you know whether they're having first class kept, or will be all standard?

 

[47271]

View attachment 29878

Doesn't show much but best i've got!

Isn't this just a pic of a standard Saltire 158 refurb, of which there are quite a few running around now? I'm sure that I recognise the workman from one of the shots released in early autumn 2015?

I'm not sure what differentiates the scenic stock anyway?

 

[ld0595]

Isn't this just a pic of a standard Saltire 158 refurb, of which there are quite a few running around now? I'm sure that I recognise the workman from one of the shots released in early autumn 2015?

I'm not sure what differentiates the scenic stock anyway?

I don't think there is a difference as far as I'm aware - all 158s will be refurbished up to the same standard and used in a common pool. That was my understanding anyway.

 

[Clansman]

Do you know whether they're having first class kept, or will be all standard?

Nope, all will be removed and units converted to standard only.

 

[XC90]

Are you certain it was a Labour MP?

The only Labour MP in Scotland is Ian Murray, the representative of Edinburgh South (and was also active in the "Save the Jambos" campaign).

Otherwise, I am with you on the above points.

No, it was a Labour councillor or MSP. My mistake.

 

[scotraildriver]

I don't think there is a difference as far as I'm aware - all 158s will be refurbished up to the same standard and used in a common pool. That was my understanding anyway.

You're right. No difference. The scenic 158's consist of a recovered seat, removal of 1st class, seats realigned with windows, doors opening alarms, CET toilets and next generation RETB. That do look very smart though inside.

 

[ld0595]

You're right. No difference. The scenic 158's consist of a recovered seat, removal of 1st class, seats realigned with windows, doors opening alarms, CET toilets and next generation RETB. That do look very smart though inside.

They are indeed very smart inside - huge improvement over the existing set. Have the issues with the sockets been fixed? The last one I took back in August from INV to ABD, the guard said that there had been a lot of issues with the sockets hence why they were out of use during my trip.

Also am I right in saying that the 158s will replace the 156 on the West Highland line? I recall reading that back a year ago or so. If so, when is this expected to happen?

 

[gsnedders]

Also am I right in saying that the 158s will replace the 156 on the West Highland line? I recall reading that back a year ago or so. If so, when is this expected to happen?

Requirement of the franchise agreement to have the "scenic" stock there, so it'll happen. I can't remember when it's meant to happen—it may only be happening once all the stock is refurbished and a cascade begins.

 

[marks87]

Requirement of the franchise agreement to have the "scenic" stock there, so it'll happen. I can't remember when it's meant to happen—it may only be happening once all the stock is refurbished and a cascade begins.

Are there not still some clearance issues to overcome because of the plug doors on a 158?

 

[scotraildriver]

WHL due to move to 158 operation in August 2017 but subject to units being released by EGIP which is running late.

 

[Rhydgaled]

You're right. No difference. The scenic 158's consist of a recovered seat, removal of 1st class, seats realigned with windows, doors opening alarms, CET toilets and next generation RETB. That do look very smart though inside.

See my bold; I thought the seats were to be all at tables in order to align them with the windows, the photograph shows some airline seating.

 

[scotraildriver]

There are still a few airline seats but more tables than before.

 

[amcluesent]

Monthly and annual season-ticket holders on Scotland’s railways will get a “free week” paid for by the Scottish Government as a “thank you” for their patience during disruption and upgrades.

Scottish transport minister Humza Yousaf gave more information on the £3 million set aside for fare offers announced in the Holyrood budget on Thursday.

As well as the free week for season-ticket holders, further offers for weekly ticket holders and daily commuters are also being worked on.

http://www.scotsman.com/news/scotrail-season-ticket-holders-to-get-free-week-of-travel-1-4319141

 

[MadCommuter]

Monthly and annual season-ticket holders on Scotland’s railways will get a “free week” paid for by the Scottish Government as a “thank you” for their patience during disruption and upgrades.



http://www.scotsman.com/news/scotrail-season-ticket-holders-to-get-free-week-of-travel-1-4319141

It'll be interesting to see how this works. My annual is due for renewal late December. Will I be better to wait until after the fares increase in Jan to renew? Will I get an extra week tagged on the end in Dec 2017? Not much thought has gone in to this for annual season ticket holders.

 

[clc]

Monthly and annual season-ticket holders on Scotland’s railways will get a “free week” paid for by the Scottish Government as a “thank you” for their patience during disruption and upgrades.



http://www.scotsman.com/news/scotrail-season-ticket-holders-to-get-free-week-of-travel-1-4319141

Labour: you should give rail users a £2m discount!
SNP: ok we'll give rail users a £3m discount!
Labour councillor: that £3m would have supported a lot of bus services for our poorer and rural communities!

I'm not even making it up.

 

[me123]

Hopefully that'll keep the passengers happy. It's a nice gesture that recognises frustration and hopefully eases tensions a bit.

Scottish Labour are, like the rest of Labour, hopeless and beyond redemption. We should just ignore them. They are, quite rightly in my mind, relegated to third place.