Today, we had at least five different reasons why trains were late, cancelled, delayed ranging from a signalling fault to no train crew to rolling stock not available and mostly on the same train!
Well, I can see this as it's hard for the TOC.
- Say there was a signalling fault, so a train is delayed [Signalling problem].
- It terminates late in Birmingham, then starts out on it's new service (30 mins late) [Late due to a previous signalling problem].
- Then the train arrives at another station but the guard which is taking the set forward is delayed (due to the signalling fault) [No train crew].
- When the guard turns up, the train is now 60 mins late, so it's return service is cancelled [No rolling stock].
That's four reasons right there.
The real problem is for the TOC to decide which reason to give. Really it should be Signalling problems, earlier signalling problems as that is the root cause of the service being delayed but it's easy to give the now current reason instead of explaining what has happened before.
The other problem of course is Network Rail. If a line is blocked, some trains may have to be cancelled to ease congestion for other services.
Then you have the fact that we had three trains at Hednesford this evening, all were delayed by the same amount of train but the one we come on gets terminated short but the other two are allowed to carry on, surely that cannot be right can it
This is sometimes common practice. They will terminate trains early so they can form their service working back on time while others will be allowed to carry on and get later and later, with their return service being severly late or cancelled altogether.
If you are so beefed up about them not checking tickets, don't pay. *shrugs*
For some *coughFirstCapitalConnectcough* TOCs, the passengers with their smartphones out have more info from Twitter and the National Rail websites than the driver does!
Although perhaps sad to say, this is true.
You don't even need a smart phone as Twitter can text your phone with updates. But then why don't companies capitalise on this more? Then all this about "Passenger Information During Disruption" will be easier to implement as everyone, staff and passengers will know the same info.
Then the abuse from staff; do you think it is acceptable that a member of staff should choose to ridicule the way you look, ridicule your choice in lifestyle and make comments that you might find offensive? Would you turn around and say to someone that they are sad, they are pathetic or just stand by idolly and shake your head because they have taken a photograph of the train?
While this doesn't excuse them, they work with trains every day and probably see no more interest in them than chewing gum on the street. There is a certain territory that comes with being interested in trains and unfortunately it will take a good number of years before this is shaken off of society.
As for the guards in general, the job of a guard is defined as the following:
Where is that from? London Midland's website?
Remember, what is written and what actually happens is quite different.
I can categorically say you are wrong on quite a few of these points.
Actually, you can't. Not to out-geek anyone here, as people enjoy doing bu you're both wrong as you have both had different journey experiences.
Categorically: adjective
1. Without exceptions or conditions; absolute; unqualified and unconditional: a categorical denial.
You can't categorically say they do ticket checks when there is someone else who obviously isn't lying saying the opposite :P