• Our booking engine at tickets.railforums.co.uk (powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

Hull Trains to stop running from 30/03 until further notice

Status
Not open for further replies.

175001

Established Member
Joined
3 Feb 2007
Messages
1,302
Location
Between Heaven and Hell
Hull Trains suspending operations this evening

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/new...l-services-safeguard-long-term-future-2521819
The train operator says it is not currently financially viable to run services between Hull and London, following the huge drop in passenger numbers since government guidance was issued telling people to stay at home.

But it says it intends to resume service as soon as it can.

The company said they were reliant on ticket sales and had to survive purely as a commercial operation.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

syorksdeano

Member
Joined
7 Jan 2011
Messages
725
Apparently Hull Trains won't be running tomorrow until all this is over.

I would post a link but it's not been updated yet
 

hwl

Established Member
Joined
5 Feb 2012
Messages
7,354
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-52085249

Coronavirus: Hull Trains axes all services amid outbreak

Hull Trains is said to be the country's smallest train service

Hull Trains has axed all its services because of the "unprecedented circumstances" amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The firm said passenger numbers had "dropped significantly" since the government lockdown came into force.

Managing director Louise Cheeseman, said it was a difficult decision, but one which was necessary to safeguard the future of the business.

There will no service from Monday until the pandemic restrictions are lifted.

Hull Trains, thought to be Britain's smallest train company and employs about 130 staff, says it has not been offered additional financial support from the government, which franchised rail operators have.

Union bosses have told the firm they expect the firm's workers' wages to be guaranteed "at 100%".

"Hull Trains
@Hull_Trains
We are sorry to announce that Hull Trains is temporarily suspending all train services as a result of the current travel restrictions and low passenger numbers.

We will not be running any services on Monday 30 March 2020 until further notice. (1/2)"

Ms Cheeseman said: "We have explored every avenue to try and keep trains running, but sadly it is not currently financially viable to run our services.

"We fully intend to resume operations as soon as we can."

She said she hoped "our passengers" would understand the decision following what has been "a very difficult week".

"The move protects the long-term future of Hull Trains and our people's jobs, which is important as it will allow us to reinstate operations quickly when possible," she added.

Strict measures could last 'significant period'
How long can I exercise for each day? And other questions
How can I shop or get deliveries and takeaways safely?
Mick Cash, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, said: "This decision affects 130 rail staff around the Hull area and they must be treated as an absolute priority.

"We expect the company and the government to guarantee wages at 100% and not some reduced rate and we also expect jobs, service, pensions and conditions for these rail staff to be fully protected throughout this crisis."
 

Socanxdis

Member
Joined
27 Aug 2017
Messages
107
What is the staff at Hull Trains being asked to do? Frontline like drivers, platform staff, managers etc
 

JonathanH

Veteran Member
Joined
29 May 2011
Messages
18,531
What is the staff at Hull Trains being asked to do? Frontline like drivers, platform staff, managers etc

I would imagine that they will be furloughed like staff of other businesses which are interrupted.
 

ABB125

Established Member
Joined
23 Jul 2016
Messages
3,746
Location
University of Birmingham
What is the staff at Hull Trains being asked to do? Frontline like drivers, platform staff, managers etc
The RMT is demanding that they retain 100% pay and pensions/benefits etc carry in as normal. Whilst that doesn't surprise me, is it a reasonable stance? Presumably Hull Trains' staff would be entitled to the 80% wage from the government?
Mick Cash, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, said: "This decision affects 130 rail staff around the Hull area and they must be treated as an absolute priority.
"We expect the company and the government to guarantee wages at 100% and not some reduced rate and we also expect jobs, service, pensions and conditions for these rail staff to be fully protected throughout this crisis."
 

LowLevel

Established Member
Joined
26 Oct 2013
Messages
7,543
The RMT is demanding that they retain 100% pay and pensions/benefits etc carry in as normal. Whilst that doesn't surprise me, is it a reasonable stance? Presumably Hull Trains' staff would be entitled to the 80% wage from the government?

The reason they're demanding it is that is what has been agreed for franchised TOC and NR staff should they need to be stood down for any period - full pay including allowances and no compulsory redundancies. Whether this is reasonable for effectively a private business is another matter.
 

Bletchleyite

Veteran Member
Joined
20 Oct 2014
Messages
97,533
Location
"Marston Vale mafia"
The reason they're demanding it is that is what has been agreed for franchised TOC and NR staff should they need to be stood down for any period - full pay including allowances and no compulsory redundancies. Whether this is reasonable for effectively a private business is another matter.

As a private business the 80% furlough scheme is presumably what will apply. They can't exactly strike over it!
 

yorkie

Forum Staff
Staff Member
Administrator
Joined
6 Jun 2005
Messages
67,430
Location
Yorkshire

ABB125

Established Member
Joined
23 Jul 2016
Messages
3,746
Location
University of Birmingham
The reason they're demanding it is that is what has been agreed for franchised TOC and NR staff should they need to be stood down for any period - full pay including allowances and no compulsory redundancies. Whether this is reasonable for effectively a private business is another matter.

No, but they don't do reasonable.Up to a limit which is the equivalent of a £30k pa salary.

See: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/furloughed-self-employed-workers-discussion.202743/
Thanks both
 

TUC

Established Member
Joined
11 Nov 2010
Messages
3,563
The RMT can demand what they want. It doesn't mean they will get it. After all, when the service is suspended a strike would be meaningless.
 

SlimJim1694

Member
Joined
8 Jan 2020
Messages
277
Location
Medway
The RMT can demand what they want. It doesn't mean they will get it. After all, when the service is suspended a strike would be meaningless.

I think that's the point. They can't do anything. I feel sorry for staff on open access operators. I have been looking for jobs around the country but I immediately ruled out any open access firm for these exact reasons. I dont know why anyone would leave a TOC to work for these companies but I'm sure plenty do. Grand Central recently took on a load for Blackpool. I wouldnt want to be in their shoes.
 

yorkie

Forum Staff
Staff Member
Administrator
Joined
6 Jun 2005
Messages
67,430
Location
Yorkshire
I think that's the point. They can't do anything. I feel sorry for staff on open access operators. I have been looking for jobs around the country but I immediately ruled out any open access firm for these exact reasons. I dont know why anyone would leave a TOC to work for these companies but I'm sure plenty do. Grand Central recently took on a load for Blackpool. I wouldnt want to be in their shoes.
To be fair, they're going to be no worse than anyone else. Their salary will still be protected up to a £30k pa equivalent, which isn't a bad wage at all. I do a job that has huge responsibilities that pays less than that, and so do many others.

I do feel for them of course, and it's awful to be stuck at home and not to do the job you love doing, but it's not like they aren't being paid.

You are absolutely right though that working for an open access TOC does not have the same job security as working for a franchised TOC, but I'm confident their jobs will still be there at the end of this. The staff are great, and the demand for the service is strong. Hull Trains will bounce back when this is over.
 

Mitchell Hurd

On Moderation
Joined
28 Oct 2017
Messages
1,648
Just a thought though, taking a fleet of new trains out of service for ages will require a lot of maintenance eventually - especially on the diesel engines.
 

JonathanH

Veteran Member
Joined
29 May 2011
Messages
18,531
Just a thought though, taking a fleet of new trains out of service for ages will require a lot of maintenance eventually - especially on the diesel engines.

That is a problem for Hitachi, not Hull Trains. Hitachi (and MTU) engineers will know how long the trains can sit idle for and possibly they will be sent out on test runs during the period they aren't being used for passenger services.
 

Mitchell Hurd

On Moderation
Joined
28 Oct 2017
Messages
1,648
That is a problem for Hitachi, not Hull Trains. Hitachi (and MTU) engineers will know how long the trains can sit idle for and possibly they will be sent out on test runs during the period they aren't being used for passenger services.

Ok then :).
 

ainsworth74

Forum Staff
Staff Member
Global Moderator
Joined
16 Nov 2009
Messages
27,537
Location
Redcar
and possibly they will be sent out on test runs during the period they aren't being used for passenger services.

And, depending on how long HT are planning on being suspended, to keep route and traction knowledge up.
 

ComUtoR

Established Member
Joined
13 Dec 2013
Messages
9,398
Location
UK
Is there any reason why they didn't take the Emergency Measure package from the Government ?
 

jamesst

Member
Joined
4 May 2011
Messages
1,114
Location
Merseyside
Is there any reason why they didn't take the Emergency Measure package from the Government ?

As far as I'm aware because they're classed as an open access operator it wasnt available to them. Grand Central therefore must be in the same position.
 

LNW-GW Joint

Veteran Member
Joined
22 Feb 2011
Messages
19,555
Location
Mold, Clwyd
That is a problem for Hitachi, not Hull Trains. Hitachi (and MTU) engineers will know how long the trains can sit idle for and possibly they will be sent out on test runs during the period they aren't being used for passenger services.

It's a problem for First Group too, as they will be the ones backing HT's rolling stock deal.
TPE has 3 fleets of new trains to pay for and keep in sidings for weeks.
The government is funding it all at the moment, but that won't last for ever.
 

Meerkat

Established Member
Joined
14 Jul 2018
Messages
7,418
Mick Cash, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, said: "This decision affects 130 rail staff around the Hull area and they must be treated as an absolute priority.

"We expect the company and the government to guarantee wages at 100% and not some reduced rate and we also expect jobs, service, pensions and conditions for these rail staff to be fully protected throughout this crisis."

The RMT really doesn’t do itself any favours does it?! Fine for them to lay that down as a marker in a private message to the company but to put that out to the public, many of whom will be on the 80% or just hoping to keep their job.....
 

yorkie

Forum Staff
Staff Member
Administrator
Joined
6 Jun 2005
Messages
67,430
Location
Yorkshire
The RMT really doesn’t do itself any favours does it?! Fine for them to lay that down as a marker in a private message to the company but to put that out to the public, many of whom will be on the 80% or just hoping to keep their job.....
I don't think they care what the public think. It's a completely different mentality to what most of us are used to. I couldn't imagine being a part of anything like that; it goes against everything I believe in. They'll never change.
 

Bletchleyite

Veteran Member
Joined
20 Oct 2014
Messages
97,533
Location
"Marston Vale mafia"
I don't think they care what the public think. It's a completely different mentality to what most of us are used to. I couldn't imagine being a part of anything like that; it goes against everything I believe in. They'll never change.

I certainly find it difficult when in the industry I work in (IT) there is a common understanding that people are needed to do all the roles in a business, be they the senior management or the cleaner, and therefore a common respect for each other that results in management not being unreasonable with staff and staff not making unreasonable demands from managers.
 

Horizon22

Established Member
Associate Staff
Jobs & Careers
Joined
8 Sep 2019
Messages
7,446
Location
London
Typical RMT release though.
and not some reduced rate.
The rate that millions of people up and down the country are having to deal with and initiated by government...

Anyway, it's obviously a shame for those staff but as a open access provider, with other options available they are not an absolutely essential service. Hopefully back up and running soon enough, but it will be interesting to see if they keep an eye on LNER demand as to when they make the call to come back.
 

Bayum

Established Member
Joined
21 Mar 2008
Messages
2,902
Location
Leeds
The RMT have to be seen to be doing something! Start high, then go lower. Could always find that it forces First into paying 10% on top of the 80% the government is putting forward. Yes, the rest of the country is having to deal with 80%, but their unions didn't kick up a fuss. the RMT is. Right or wrong, whether I morally think it's right or wrong isn't up to me, but I can see the logic behind it.
 

westv

Established Member
Joined
29 Mar 2013
Messages
4,202
Millions? Do we actually know how many workers will be getting 80%?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top