DarloRich
Veteran Member
Why would companies splash out on new seats etc when punters don't look after the existing ones!?
i think most of us are able to use a seat without defecating on it.
Why would companies splash out on new seats etc when punters don't look after the existing ones!?
Pretty well what I think. The pendos are showing their age, first class is pretty dull and needs a refurb (and seats without a window arm rest please) and I've never been too keen on the chunky seats in standard. But as you say, minor issues.This comes as a great shame to me. Virgin is easy to criticise because we haven’t known anything else since 1996. They provide a great standard of service and there was little for me to complain about and much of the hate I heard was picking holes. The delays are mostly not in their control and the only problem I can point out was the sometimes harsh nature of on train and gate line staff for tickets and the sometimes rude catering staff (that one was in my experience).
The 390s definitely need an interior refresh as the seats and carpets are quite worn now, some panels rattle slightly too, but thats a minor rolling stock issue, and the seats are some of the best seats I’ve sat on in a UK train so a new franchise is welcome. I will miss VT and their talking toilets and their best buddy way of talking although this forum tends to like knocking them for that. This type of marketing was good for occasional travellers tourists and families. Service generally was A* even though prices were high. But the new franchise will be no different. Honestly it’s a big shame.
The BBC article notes ‘better catering’ but this is conveniently vague. Does better mean more cost efficient and demand suited? If so then Birmingham - Euston could axe the shop for a trolley. That’s an idea.
Can anyone say how VT lost the franchise or is it too early to say? A renewal would’ve been more sensible. It’s not like VT provided a substandard service and failed on their obligations like other franchises did (*cough cough NX*)
Farewell VT, obituary over.
I can't see this coming to pass. Between now and the franchise start date, there is some tasty political battles coming up, plus beardy's legal team will almost certainly plough forward with their legal challenge. Much will go on before this franchise comes to fruition.
Great another Carillion fiasco to follow. Give all the franchises to a firm with known financial problems, and sit back and watch it collapse. Oh well will make re-nationalisation easier assuming the Tory headbangers don't get back in....
Wouldn’t surprise meI believe a court hearing in January.
No wonder the DfT suddenly awarded the franchise to First/Trenitalia to start 08th December. (Conspiracy theory)
Who could’ve seen that coming? Ironic how soon 60% of our railways will be owned by international companiesJust been reading some reviews about Trenitalia on Tripadvisor, they don't make good reading, should work well with First.
West Midlands Railway is still 'LM' and Greater Anglia is 'LE' (what is that even from?) as well.
I believe a court hearing in January.
No wonder the DfT suddenly awarded the franchise to First/Trenitalia to start 08th December. (Conspiracy theory).
Just been reading some reviews about Trenitalia on Tripadvisor, they don't make good reading, should work well with First.
Even if your criticisms of the company are justified, doesn't this strike you as a bit inconsiderate to describe the employees of the company in these terms? These are real people, worried about they will make a living, like all of us. Some of them probably read this forum. Some of their children probably read this forum. I would hope that you wouldn't express it that way if you were face-to-face with them or their families. In effect, you are.skipping most of their current management dross
i think most of us are able to use a seat without defecating on it.
Wouldn’t surprise me
Who could’ve seen that coming? Ironic how soon 60% of our railways will be owned by international companies
Chosen, or had to to comply with the relevant accounting standards around loss-making contract?With SWR they have chosen to take the financial hit for the the "damage" up front (very tax efficient when you look at the whole group) which the activist shareholders didn't quite seem to understand.
There is some flexibility in the accounting rules given the actual SWR circumstances, they chose to recognise as much of the potential future losses up front as possible.Chosen, or had to to comply with the relevant accounting standards around loss-making contract?
Why would you presume that? Alstom's videos make it look like the axis is well below centre.Strictly speaking yes anything that tilts has an axis of rotation, but it’s important to distinguish the location of the axis. On a motorcycle, the axis of rotation is at the point of contact between the tyres and the road surface, however for a tilting train such as the pendolino, the axis is presumably through the centre of the passenger cabin so is a metre or so off the ground.
Thank you. I had not seen https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/wcml-new-rolling-stock-discussion.188847/There is also tilt discussion going on in the West Coast rolling stock thread.
I took the Thello sleeper in June. Thello is owned by Trenitalia and it was was the worst train journey of my life and one the worst experiences I've ever had. Air con wasn't working in our compartment during the June European heatwave. I have a photo of the temperature monitor in the corridor showing 37.4 degrees Celsius. Staff didn't care and Thello haven't replied to my complaint within the specified 30 days. They haven't responded to my compensation request for late arrival in accordance with the conditions either. Hope West Coast do better.Traveled with Trenitalia on a few occasions, they are pretty decent tbh.
Much better than some UK ToCs
Who gets the money for booking made now for travel after 8th December? Virgin have Anytime tickets on sale now. Granted I can't see many people doing that but it can be done.
I thought it said ‘First Tarantula’ at first
That seems to have not been clear to a few users on here; I understood it straight awayWest Coast Rail is not the final name a brand name will be announced in due course
are they losing Great Western Railway and ceasing their open access Hull Trains operation then...?Yes by next year first have:
1) west coast
2) tpe
3) east coast operation
Good question but I don't know is the answer as it's not something I have to worry about.If you were a Walsall commuter in London, would you hang around for "the direct train" or jump on the first Birmingham fast service and change at New Street to a West Midlands service?
Which is such a shame."London Eastern Railway" which was the actual name of the franchise (but not a brand it ever used).
Even if your criticisms of the company are justified, doesn't this strike you as a bit inconsiderate to describe the employees of the company in these terms? These are real people, worried about they will make a living, like all of us. Some of them probably read this forum. Some of their children probably read this forum. I would hope that you wouldn't express it that way if you were face-to-face with them or their families. In effect, you are.
Its okay to make presumptions considering their past performance
The reason recent bids have been won is because on financial risk taking and government liability shifting I expect this to be no different.
First have a record of delivering sub mediocre services universally on rail and bus, why would they suddenly change?
None of this is about delivering a competent services for customers, its about government liability shifting.
I think the top 2 providers were Virgin and Stagecoach in terms of customer satisfaction and reliability. Those 2 are now gone! Talk about rewarding failure! Punishing success.
They could turn it around, the West Coast is very profitable if they run it well.