Drop in passenger numbers sees train services cut

[Bletchleyite]

Bluntly, what people want is irrelevant. Every person who possibly can work from home and doesn't risks causing unnecessary deaths, it really is that simple.

Agreed.

As I said on another thread, people in London in particular are taking the mick, and the effect is quite visible and will result in harsher restrictions for all of us.

 

[Peregrine 4903]

I'm not an expert but ...
It looks like interchanges are open.
Some closures where there are other stations nearby, eg CharingX closed/ Embankment open
There are some apparent 'deserts' though, eg/Lancaster Gate/ Queensway/ Bayswater but walkable for many from Marble Arch/ Notting Hill Gate/ Paddington.
Some stations poorly used anyway (eg Regents Park?)
Lifts at Covent Garden- and very close to Leicester Square anyway.
I guess the overarching logic is fewer stations to lower 'fixed costs' and uphold Health and safety with fewer staff.
Possibility of course that some might not reopen?
Most 'suburban' stations still open, ie departure points for commuters further away from each other.
It looks like it makes sense.

I really doubt they will close any tube stations permanently.

If we in this country cant close a station that gets 50 passengers how can we close a station like Covent Garden which gets around 20 million entries and exits a year.

 

[hwl]

I'm not an expert but ...
It looks like interchanges are open.
Some closures where there are other stations nearby, eg CharingX closed/ Embankment open

It looks like it makes sense.

LU staff are often trained to be able to run other local stations hence closing some to increase the staffing pool for others locally.

Interchanges have officially been prioritised

On Charing Cross - it is only the Bakerloo part of the station closed in reality this is a completely different station it used to be called "Trafalgar Square" until 1979 when the Jubilee line opened and the Charing Cross Northern Line and Bakerloo Trafalguar Sq stations were linked to the new line in one station. This closure is a huge staffing boost because of the station design.

 

[telstarbox]

So you can still change at Embankment from Bakerloo <> Northern?

 

[PHILIPE]

TFW withdrew their catering trolleys from trains yesterday. Unless it has already been posted (long thread) according to FB GWR have put their 143s to one side until all over.

 

[Bald Rick]

Agreed.

As I said on another thread, people in London in particular are taking the mick, and the effect is quite visible and will result in harsher restrictions for all of us.

From my experience in London earlier this week, there are very few people who can work from home who are not doing so. I heard today that some peak Thameslink services into London had passengers in single figures, compared to normal numbers of 1500+.

London is remarkably quiet - tubes are almost empty, the roads are pretty empty, the only people out on the streets are students, tourists (of which there are still quite a few) and people doing jobs that can’t be done at home - healthcare, education, construction, retail etc etc.

 

[Bletchleyite]

From my experience in London earlier this week, there are very few people who can work from home who are not doing so. I heard today that some peak Thameslink services into London had passengers in single figures, compared to normal numbers of 1500+.

I know of a few people whose management are still insisting they go in even though they don't really need to, FWIW...

London is remarkably quiet - tubes are almost empty, the roads are pretty empty, the only people out on the streets are students, tourists (of which there are still quite a few) and people doing jobs that can’t be done at home - healthcare, education, construction, retail etc etc.

How are the pubs looking by you? I hear rumours they are still busy...

 

[Bald Rick]

I know of a few people whose management are still insisting they go in even though they don't really need to, FWIW...

How are the pubs looking by you? I hear rumours they are still busy...

Not been in since Tuesday. Those I walked past that evening were almost all empty (from Victoria to Blackfriars).

Some companies switched to 50:50 working last week, most that I am aware of have gone to full home working now. There is at least one train operator who still has everyone coming in though.

And although we have had this discussion already, there are some people who work in an office that simplay can’t work from home. Building security for example, some critical infrastructure people.

I’m hearing that a London lockdown is off the cards for the immediate future.

 

[mmh]

Can anyone explain the choice of tube stations that have closed, and why the W&C is closed please?

The Waterloo and City is a single purpose line - to take City commuters from the South West suburbs and commuter belt to their offices and back. If they're not going to their offices, there's no need for it.

 

[43055]

TFW withdrew their catering trolleys from trains yesterday. Unless it has already been posted (long thread) according to FB GWR have put their 143s to one side until all over.

Cross Country have also stopped catering yesterday.

Definitely a big change this week in numbers traveling. This mornings 0811 Derby to Newark Castle looked like it had around 5 passengers on! This train is normally full.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I’m hearing that a London lockdown is off the cards for the immediate future.

If people are being sensible then it isn't needed. If they are, that is good to hear.

I was in on Monday and things were quiet but the pubs were still full, as I mentioned I did hope this was a "final fling". Maybe it actually was.

The school closures will probably have made the point, I suspect.

 

[Railman]

There seems to be a situation not unlike the creation of BR the first time around, only now its a virus and not the second world war. Might make the much delayed "Williams report" obsolete before its finished??The TOCs that were struggling before will surely go under now. Of course the goverment could just give unlimmited bailouts and "pretend" its still privatised??

 

[Bletchleyite]

There seems to be a situation not unlike the creation of BR the first time around, only now its a virus and not the second world war. Might make the much delayed "Williams report" obsolete before its finished??The TOCs that were struggling before will surely go under now. Of course the goverment could just give unlimmited bailouts and "pretend" its still privatised??

Or will we see a situation where the Government purchases FirstGroup and Stagecoach and gets it that way?

 

[XC victim]

Given that this looks like it is going to last for at least several months, and the country is likely to be in a very difficult financial position afterwards with many businesses collapsing I do wonder if it is unlikely many services will ever be reinstated

 

[hwl]

Or will we see a situation where the Government purchases FirstGroup and Stagecoach and gets it that way?

What franchises does Stagecoach still have?

I suspect Anglia will reach the maximum financial guarantee level in the next few weeks so Abellio may be first big problem franchise.

 

[route101]

1900 Edinburgh to Queen St was dead last night .

 

[30907]

I think we are facing the issue London politicians see empty trains and think the rest of the country must be working from home too. It doesn't work that way, most jobs outside London aren't office jobs.

But the impact on rail commuting seems to be national from local news reports (Yorkshire) and forum comments.

 

[Jamesrob637]

If people are being sensible then it isn't needed. If they are, that is good to hear.

I was in on Monday and things were quiet but the pubs were still full, as I mentioned I did hope this was a "final fling". Maybe it actually was.

The school closures will probably have made the point, I suspect.

I think a few may still go out tomorrow and the weekend, but much smaller groups and possibly daytime rather than evening. Trains on most TOCs are normal tomorrow even if a) a little shorter and b) the peak extras don't run if the TOC has already eliminated them. We aren't on official lockdown yet, and any such occurrence is very unlikely to begin before Monday. Which is when most TOCs are introducing emergency/Saturday timetables.

 

[MetroCar4058]

Also have to remember that Sub Surface stations require a minimum number of staff during agreed hours with the fire service. Self isolating means that some stations would not be compliant with fire regulations.

 

[johntea]

And it gets worse...

https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/u...ch-20-there-will-be-a-number-of-cancellations

Today for example just the 'fast' Leeds - Harrogate services affected, from tomorrow the :59 Leeds - Knaresborough services have been given the chop, so essentially 3 services an hour down to 1! (Excluding the intermittent LNER service that runs about 5 times a day)

 

[tynesider]

Grand Central will reduce to a 2-train timetable from Monday, one on the Sunderland route and one on the Bradford route, each doing 2 round trips.

https://www.grandcentralrail.com/coronavirus-travel-information/

 

[westv]

Hull trains services cut to 2 services northbound/southbound a day and 1 service northbound/southbound weekends.

 

[Matt Taylor]

Reported by Meridian news that SWR is reducing services by nearly 50% from Monday.

 

[OFFDN]

I’m told GTR are to run a Saturday service from Monday.

 

[Aictos]

I’m told GTR are to run a Saturday service from Monday.

So I've heard but was discussing this with a TL staff member yesterday who voiced their view that TL can't reduce the service in any form because they get fined by the DfT!

Correct me if I'm wrong people but as official Govt advice is not to travel unless essential, I don't think the DfT would be too bothered about fining TL...

Spoke to a LNER catering staff member earlier and they've been told they're not required to work and to stay at home as LNER have stopped catering for both Standard and 1st Class passengers with the LNER 1st Class lounges being closed too.

The same staff member told me it was so quiet yesterday, the most they sold was three cups of tea and that was a struggle at that!

 

[JonathanH]

Also have to remember that Sub Surface stations require a minimum number of staff during agreed hours with the fire service. Self isolating means that some stations would not be compliant with fire regulations.

I think it is also reasonable to shut the stations with only lift access given the confined space.

 

[raveon]

Have Avanti pulled First Class catering and the onboard shop yet?

 

[snookertam]

Emergency ScotRail timetable from Monday I'm hearing.

 

[Bald Rick]

So I've heard but was discussing this with a TL staff member yesterday who voiced their view that TL can't reduce the service in any form because they get fined by the DfT!

The revised timetables wouldn’t be done with clear Government acknkwkedgement. .

 

[TEW]

Reported by Meridian news that SWR is reducing services by nearly 50% from Monday.

Can be seen in RTT now, in effect the strike timetable.