Getting people back on trains as lockdown eases.

[seagull]

The state of the roads recently and particularly this past few days should ensure several more return to using the trains: absolute chaos in my part of the world, Friday the worst I've ever known at midday, even before Covid, and today was a similar disaster, again, worse than any Sunday I can recall in years. Mask or no mask, sitting burning your own fuel (or watching your distance left rapidly diminish on electric with A/C on) in traffic jams is going to have some effect.
I can only think it's down to the fact that people aren't abroad on holiday/business like they would normally be. On the other hand, people FROM abroad aren't here on holiday either, so that may not be a very convincing explanation.

 

[trebor79]

For me I won’t be back on long distance services until social distancing and face masks are gone. I enjoy sitting around a table with my family. No-one wants to wear a face coverings for 4 hours. The car wins for now sadly. Which is a shame as pre-Covid the train was a much nicer experience.

Distancing doesn't exist on trains, other than as a figment of some politicians imagination. Coming back from Sleaford last week, the train from Lincoln pulled in and disgorged about 100 folk, just like pre-COVID.
Masks, if you are exempt it's no hassle at all. I've only been (politely) challenged once "I'm exempt, mate" and that was the end of the conversation. Usually nobody bats an eyelid.
I'm heading up north next week and it's a good job I'm exempt as there's no way I'd wear a mask for 7 hours there and 7 hours back.

 

[bramling]

The state of the roads recently and particularly this past few days should ensure several more return to using the trains: absolute chaos in my part of the world, Friday the worst I've ever known at midday, even before Covid, and today was a similar disaster, again, worse than any Sunday I can recall in years. Mask or no mask, sitting burning your own fuel (or watching your distance left rapidly diminish on electric with A/C on) in traffic jams is going to have some effect.
I can only think it's down to the fact that people aren't abroad on holiday/business like they would normally be. On the other hand, people FROM abroad aren't here on holiday either, so that may not be a very convincing explanation.

The whole transport situation is very strange for sure. I drove to central London for work purposes both yesterday and today, and on both days coming north at 1800 the roads were quite empty - which to be honest was a surprise as I expected the opposite. Can only put it down to the weather, but neither yesterday nor today were too bad weather (by recent standards) - dull for sure, but not a complete write-off.

 

[Bikeman78]

Distancing doesn't exist on trains, other than as a figment of some politicians imagination.

I've been saying this for months. Easy enough in lockdown when no one is travelling but otherwise a non starter. Anyone that doesn't believe me should go and visit Stratford station at 17:00.

 

[YorkshireBear]

I've been saying this for months. Easy enough in lockdown when no one is travelling but otherwise a non starter. Anyone that doesn't believe me should go and visit Stratford station at 17:00.

And yet reservations are still mandatory with companies not selling tickets when social distancing reservations have run out. Making it very complicated for the uninitiated.

 

[trebor79]

I'm on my way to Carlisle from East Anglia today. Train to Ely was about the loading I'd expect for mid-Monday morning service in Normal times. Ely to Peterborough likewise. I'm currently on an LNER service to Newcastle and it's pretty full. Lots of people at both Ely and Peterborough.
Really pleasing to see people come flooding back onto the railways.

 

[kristiang85]

I'm on my way to Carlisle from East Anglia today. Train to Ely was about the loading I'd expect for mid-Monday morning service in Normal times. Ely to Peterborough likewise. I'm currently on an LNER service to Newcastle and it's pretty full. Lots of people at both Ely and Peterborough.
Really pleasing to see people come flooding back onto the railways.

Yes. I was on a 10 coach from Waterloo yesterday, and even at the far end it was about 40% full, and I noticed it was a lot busier at the other end when I got off.

Leisure travel seems to be returning quite well; commuter travel is still somewhat quiet though (in my neck of the woods, anyway)

 

[Bikeman78]

And yet reservations are still mandatory with companies not selling tickets when social distancing reservations have run out. Making it very complicated for the uninitiated.

Yes some of the IC TOCs seem to want to turn revenue away. In and around London, people just turn up and get on. I'd imagine that the same applies to intercity trains following disruption.

 

[trebor79]

Yes some of the IC TOCs seem to want to turn revenue away. In and around London, people just turn up and get on. I'd imagine that the same applies to intercity trains following disruption.

Yes it's a bit odd. I don't really understand what the difference between an LNER and a GA service is wrt to COVID (or any other) risk. GA you just turn up and get on, but LNER you have to have a seat reservation and (theoretically, according to the stickers) sit in that specific seat.
Mind you, it was to the benefit of the young lady who tried to turf me out of the seat at Peterborough. "But I'm meant to be in this seat", and shows me her phone screen. She was on the wrong train, fortunately managed to scurry off before the doors shut.

 

[Jamesrob637]

LNER sold me a seat in Coach J recently.

The problem is a 91 plus Mk4 set doesn't have a Coach J! So how does that work with all the erstwhile J seaters cramming into the rest of the train?! Maybe it went off Azuma?

 

[Bikeman78]

Yes it's a bit odd. I don't really understand what the difference between an LNER and a GA service is wrt to COVID (or any other) risk. GA you just turn up and get on, but LNER you have to have a seat reservation and (theoretically, according to the stickers) sit in that specific seat.
Mind you, it was to the benefit of the young lady who tried to turf me out of the seat at Peterborough. "But I'm meant to be in this seat", and shows me her phone screen. She was on the wrong train, fortunately managed to scurry off before the doors shut.

That reminds of when the Brussels and Paris trains departed Waterloo four minutes apart. Bloke got on the wrong train and started having a row with someone sitting in "his seat." Another passenger asked "Are you going to Paris?" to which he replied "of course I'm going to Paris." "The Paris train is over there" came the reply whilst the rest of the coach burst out laughing!

A couple of weeks ago I saw a 755 on the 10:30 Liverpool Street to Norwich. It was completely full at Colchester.

 

[SouthEastBuses]

Currently on a Gatwick Express 387 going from London Victoria to Brighton.

Trains such as the 16:59 would normally be very packed, and yet at least in the first carriage, this train is almost completely empty!

Oh, and to my surprise, not many people are wearing masks either.

 

[johntea]

I had to get from Bradford Interchange to Castleford this morning, usually I would just use Northern and change at Leeds but as I was in time for the 06:56 Grand Central tour of West Yorkshire I caught that for a bit of extra comfort and changed at Kirkgate, the TVM produced a reservation on the service for me which did feel very odd for such a 'local' journey!

That service was reasonably loaded although nothing crazy, but the Sheffield to Leeds stopper was eerily quiet so much so I thought for a second either it was still the weekend or it was the bank holiday Monday this week, sadly it was indeed just a normal Monday so I had to do some work

 

[Killingworth]

Things must be improving. Northern's Hope Valley stoppers were being turned out as 4 car 150 earlier this month. Back to the random unit generator. Could be 3 car 195, 4 or 2 car 150, or 2 car 156 so far this week. Passenger levels outside commuting times building well but seats seemingly adequate.

Commuting services - still very low!

 

[Southern Dvr]

Currently on a Gatwick Express 387 going from London Victoria to Brighton.

Trains such as the 16:59 would normally be very packed, and yet at least in the first carriage, this train is almost completely empty!

Oh, and to my surprise, not many people are wearing masks either.

Southern/Gatwick Express doing nothing to entice people back and actually it seems don’t want passengers back on their trains. You’ll have noticed an announcement at the stations that starts along the lines of “If you have no alternative but to use public transport” which is hardly encouraging people back is it?

 

[SouthEastBuses]

Southern/Gatwick Express doing nothing to entice people back and actually it seems don’t want passengers back on their trains. You’ll have noticed an announcement at the stations that starts along the lines of “If you have no alternative but to use public transport” which is hardly encouraging people back is it?

I never heard this announcement, just the mask and social distancing ones.

Onboard the trains, all what it plays is something by Matthew Streeton, which is: "You must wear a face covering, unless you are exempt. Always follow the latest government advice when travelling."

As well as the usual Julie Berry announcements.

However, the 07:13 train from Horsham to London Victoria was as busy as a 9 or 10 o'clock train would be.

And I'd disagree. Quite a lot of people are using GTR trains.

 

[philosopher]

Southern/Gatwick Express doing nothing to entice people back and actually it seems don’t want passengers back on their trains. You’ll have noticed an announcement at the stations that starts along the lines of “If you have no alternative but to use public transport” which is hardly encouraging people back is it?

To get people back on the Gatwick Express, international travel has to be allowed to a much greater degree. Travel to and from airports is one part of rail travel that will remain subdued for a long time.

 

[Failed Unit]

To get people back on the Gatwick Express, international travel has to be allowed to a much greater degree. Travel to and from airports is one part of rail travel that will remain subdued for a long time.

The price premium needs to go. They were already suffering because Thameslink takes passengers to more London stations and Southern branded trains are cheap (and not much slower)

 

[Ianno87]

The price premium needs to go. They were already suffering because Thameslink takes passengers to more London stations and Southern branded trains are cheap (and not much slower)

What do you mean by "suffering"? Lower loading might mean higher net revenue from the premium fare from those that do use it.

 

[Failed Unit]

What do you mean by "suffering"? Lower loading might mean higher net revenue from the premium fare from those that do use it.

I mean less passengers. I haven’t used Gatwick Express (or even considered it) since Thameslink started running to Finsbury Park. As you personally have the same options as me would you consider Gatwick express? May make no difference to their revenues but Thameslink goes to more places people want to go. As for premium I think the 387s are less comfortable then the 377s (but that is personal)

when I have passed the Gatwick express off peak. They looked very empty (pre Covid)

 

[SouthEastBuses]

I mean less passengers. I haven’t used Gatwick Express (or even considered it) since Thameslink started running to Finsbury Park. As you personally have the same options as me would you consider Gatwick express? May make no difference to their revenues but Thameslink goes to more places people want to go. As for premium I think the 387s are less comfortable then the 377s (but that is personal)

when I have passed the Gatwick express off peak. They looked very empty (pre Covid)

GX 387's first class are as uncomfortable as standard class. Unacceptable.

Why pay an extra amount of money only to have the same uncomfortable seats?

 

[Peregrine 4903]

Southern services are very busy considering the covid situation in my experience at least. All of the Brighton services both Southern and Thameslink and the Bedford - Gatwick Airport services are the quitest services on the BML. The Victoria - Portsmouth/Bognor, Littlehampton and Eastbourne are all very well loaded.

 

[rg177]

Conductor on a Cotswold Line service into Paddington tonight managed to do an arrival PA thanking us for travelling with gWr, that we've been great to have on board and that he hopes we have a good night, as well as connection info.

Not a single mask comment, how refreshing!

 

[trebor79]

Conductor on a Cotswold Line service into Paddington tonight managed to do an arrival PA thanking us for travelling with gWr, that we've been great to have on board and that he hopes we have a good night, as well as connection info.

Not a single mask comment, how refreshing!

I don't think many guards actually like masks any more than most passengers. From my recent observations, they make the announcement because they have to, they wear one because their employer tells them to, but they don't enforce. I've been politely challenged exactly once despite doing some pretty extensive train milage recently. I explained I was exempt and that was that.
Highly likely masks are going to be optional in a few weeks anyway, so no point making a fuss really.

 

[johntea]

I don't think many guards actually like masks any more than most passengers. From my recent observations, they make the announcement because they have to, they wear one because their employer tells them to, but they don't enforce. I've been politely challenged exactly once despite doing some pretty extensive train milage recently. I explained I was exempt and that was that.
Highly likely masks are going to be optional in a few weeks anyway, so no point making a fuss really.

The guard on Grand Central yesterday morning seemed as if they had got out the wrong side of bed, a lengthy announcement about how you must wear one unless you are exempt...if he had just stopped there fair enough but then pushed it too far with '...but there are officers patrolling trains and stations so make sure you have relevant documentation to prove the fact you are exempt!'

Made me chuckle they were then straight onto flogging their catering options which would require you to remove your mask to consume anyway!

 

[rg177]

Yes I should add that by contrast on Sunday, one very overzealous TPE conductor decided to announce that she would expect proof from passengers without a face covering. Not the sort of atmosphere you want on board.

In the end, she didn't even ask for a ticket!

 

[sharpinf]

To add to Train Manager anecdotes, experienced one recently on LNER who emphasised repeatedly the importance to re-cover faces between food and drink “mouthfuls” which seemed over the top. As with others experiences this then was contrasted by the catering member making PAs trying to encourage such snack purchases!

Should point out TM did conduct full ticket check and was actually very pleasant in person - potentially just reading an extreme script

 

[trebor79]

The guard on Grand Central yesterday morning seemed as if they had got out the wrong side of bed, a lengthy announcement about how you must wear one unless you are exempt...if he had just stopped there fair enough but then pushed it too far with '...but there are officers patrolling trains and stations so make sure you have relevant documentation to prove the fact you are exempt!'

Made me chuckle they were then straight onto flogging their catering options which would require you to remove your mask to consume anyway!

Yes I should add that by contrast on Sunday, one very overzealous TPE conductor decided to announce that she would expect proof from passengers without a face covering. Not the sort of atmosphere you want on board.

In the end, she didn't even ask for a ticket!

I hope complaints were submitted about these incidents. There is no requirement to carry any kind of proof, and these kinds of proclamations are likely to induce anxiety in some exempt people.
I have spotted various posters and announcements around the network saying "...unless exempt for medical reasons", which completely misses the fact that not all of the examples for exemption (which are not exhaustive) in the legislation are medically-based. A poorly worded poster or auto announcement is one thing, people making it up on the spot is quite another.

 

[takno]

To add to Train Manager anecdotes, experienced one recently on LNER who emphasised repeatedly the importance to re-cover faces between food and drink “mouthfuls” which seemed over the top. As with others experiences this then was contrasted by the catering member making PAs trying to encourage such snack purchases!

Should point out TM did conduct full ticket check and was actually very pleasant in person - potentially just reading an extreme script

If you look on LNER's Twitter, they are getting a handful of passengers every day griping about how there are passengers on their trains without masks. The routine response is that some people are exempt, and it's BTP's job to enforce it. That's inevitably followed up by a wholly unsourced claim that "they can't all be exempt", at which point they always just say that they've asked the manager to make another announcement.

On the face of it that's an easy way for them to do literally nothing and still appear responsive, but I do wonder if it prompts some of the more imaginative messages.

 

[Jamiescott1]

My chiltern train this morning had numerous people standing.
50% of the seats were free but people are scared to sit next to strangers.
7 people squashed standing in the vestibule seems fine though.

Really frustrating as the train is only at about 55% occupancy but there is no room for my bike in the vestibule when there's been room for the past 10 years