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TFW *WILL* have a 60% increase in Sunday services from December

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JetStream

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Sorry if this is the wrong area!

According to the TFW "ask the manager" session, they will have a 60% increase in Sunday services from December - I think that might be news to the staff...
 
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Cardiff123

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JetStream said:
Sorry if this is the wrong area!

According to the TFW "ask the manager" session, they will have a 60% increase in Sunday services from December - I think that might be news to the staff...
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Can you provide a link to the tweets that said this? It shouldn't be news to staff as TfW have been planning this since they were awarded the franchise last summer.

EDIT: I've seen the tweet, nothing new revealed other than stating the 60% increase in Sunday services from this December
 
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J

JetStream

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Cardiff123 said:
Can you provide a link to the tweets that said this? It shouldn't be news to staff as TfW have been planning this since they were awarded the franchise last summer.

EDIT: I've seen the tweet, nothing new revealed other than stating the 60% increase in Sunday services from this December
Click to expand...

True, but my understanding is the staff haven't agreed to anything yet - which they have to for this to take effect.
 
splashoutradio

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Compiling timetables for Wales using open rail data released on Saturday*, it looks like there are some rather impressive Sunday improvements. This list is far from exhaustive and there are likely ones I've missed, but here goes:
I just hope TfW have thought about getting staff to work Sundays and we don't have the same issues Northern are having at the moment.
* All times are subject to change - we've not yet reached T-12 and there are still anomalies in the data.
 
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MarkWiles

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I can't help thinking not only will they have the crews but will they have the rolling stock? Once the Nodding Donkeys are toast on 31st December, unless TfW are able to work wonders and defecate miracles and get the 769s, 230s and 170s in place by that date I have a horrible suspicion the Conwy Valley and Cambrian will be robbed of units to keep the Cardiff area going.

Five trains on Sunday along the Cambrian Coast will be the best ever Sunday service for the line. If it actually happens.
 
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splashoutradio said:
Compiling timetables for Wales using open rail data released on Saturday*, it looks like there are some rather impressive Sunday improvements. This list is far from exhaustive and there are likely ones I've missed, but here goes:
I just hope TfW have thought about getting staff to work Sundays and we don't have the same issues Northern are having at the moment.
* All times are subject to change - we've not yet reached T-12 and there are still anomalies in the data.
Click to expand...

There was talk of a Maesteg service on Sundays but nothing has appeared in Open Data. There was a Q and A session last week via Twitter and the Officer when asked the question, replied that it was still happening
 
Llandudno

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splashoutradio said:
Compiling timetables for Wales using open rail data released on Saturday*, it looks like there are some rather impressive Sunday improvements. This list is far from exhaustive and there are likely ones I've missed, but here goes:
I just hope TfW have thought about getting staff to work Sundays and we don't have the same issues Northern are having at the moment.
* All times are subject to change - we've not yet reached T-12 and there are still anomalies in the data.
Click to expand...
I hope Lloyd’s Coaches and Llew Jones Coaches have plenty of spare coaches and drivers to operate rail replacement buses for when the cancellations come in due to lack of train crew!

On paper the the extra Sunday trains are most welcome! Although I think there is still only one train per hour west of Chester!
 
Envoy

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What is the situation regarding TfW drivers & guards working on Sundays? Are they contracted to work Sundays or is it voluntary? If they do work Sundays, what is the situation regarding pay?

PS. I note that the western section of The City Line - via Fairwater - is still going to be devoid of services on Sundays.
 
Wilts Wanderer

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MarkWiles said:
I can't help thinking not only will they have the crews but will they have the rolling stock? Once the Nodding Donkeys are toast on 31st December, unless TfW are able to work wonders and defecate miracles and get the 769s, 230s and 170s in place by that date I have a horrible suspicion the Conwy Valley and Cambrian will be robbed of units to keep the Cardiff area going.
Click to expand...

I’m pretty sure that TfW are one of the operators who have requested a derogation to run 14x stock beyond 31/12/19?
 
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Cardiff123

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Wilts Wanderer said:
I’m pretty sure that TfW are one of the operators who have requested a derogation to run 14x stock beyond 31/12/19?
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Where have you got that info from? Publicly, TfW are very vehemently saying that all Pacers will be gone by 31/12/2019
 
MarkWiles

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Wilts Wanderer said:
I’m pretty sure that TfW are one of the operators who have requested a derogation to run 14x stock beyond 31/12/19?
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So far the Llywodraeth Cymru have categorically refused to issue a derogation and are insisting the Nodders are gone on the due date. Whether Ken Skates will eventually capitulate and give TfW a temporary reprieve as reality dawns remains to be seen but at the moment, the official stated position from Cardiff Bay is the 14x fleet is gone on 31/12/19.
 
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So, Aberdare (who get hourly mostly) on Sundays now, and Treherbert will get them. That leaves the Merthyr line stuck on 2 hourly of the main Valley terminii! That is utterly pathetic - how can they justify that? Do not go on about the buses as they are nothing to do with trains and with the free weekend fares tough to get space to get on anyway!
 
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Cardiff123

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Barry - Bridgend from December is still only 2 hourly on Sundays as well, along with the City line and Coryton still having no Sunday service.
Not sure about Maesteg
 
hooverboy

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splashoutradio said:
Compiling timetables for Wales using open rail data released on Saturday*, it looks like there are some rather impressive Sunday improvements. This list is far from exhaustive and there are likely ones I've missed, but here goes:
I just hope TfW have thought about getting staff to work Sundays and we don't have the same issues Northern are having at the moment.
* All times are subject to change - we've not yet reached T-12 and there are still anomalies in the data.
Click to expand...
if you don't mind me asking, what is the typical overtime /lates/nights and weekend premiums?

in my industry for permanent staff: production grade.
basic 35k-40k
unsocial hours/shift premium: 15-20%
overtime= time *1.5
overtime over 10hrs= time *2
sundays/public holidays= time *2 ( sometimes +1 lieu day for bank holiday)

contractors on very decent money anyway(typically £30-40 p.h)

engineering/consultants are salaried if permanent(circa 70-80k), contractors £50+ p.h.

for Toc,I would have expected at least time *1.5 for a sunday in contract.
 
whoosh

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Don't know about TfW, but at quite a few TOCs for Drivers:

Unsocial/shift premium: none
Overtime: time
Rest Day Work (working a day off): time
Sundays: time
Bank Holidays: zero (a normal day and part of a normal week's work - but leave entitlement takes this into account)

At some TOCs negotiations mean better allowances, such as Cross Country have a night shift payment. Some TOCs have Sundays in the working week, so Sunday will be zero as it is a normal day. Some kept a lower leave entitlement and the earning of a day's lieu leave and an enhancement for a bank holiday.
This is why it is difficult just to go on headline salary figures when looking at different TOCs.

I believe when it was Arriva Trains Wales (or whatever they were called), that Sundays went from being voluntary overtime for Drivers, to committed overtime - you can only get out of it if you can find someone else to work the shift for you.
I don't know about the Guards.
 
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This month's Modern Railways reports that TfW have recruited 72 new drivers and that a spokesman has stated that this "means that we will have the resources to deliver additional services" and "in line with our commitment to social partnerships we are also working closely with our trade union partners to increase the number of drivers and conductors available to work on a Sunday. These conversations are progressing well".
 
Llandudno

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kw12 said:
This month's Modern Railways reports that TfW have recruited 72 new drivers and that a spokesman has stated that this "means that we will have the resources to deliver additional services" and "in line with our commitment to social partnerships we are also working closely with our trade union partners to increase the number of drivers and conductors available to work on a Sunday. These conversations are progressing well".
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Fantastic news that TfW have recruited 72 new drivers, but how many have left/retired during this period, ie what is the NET increase in drivers?

Shame that Northern seem incapable of recruiting enough staff to operate their current timetables!
 
krus_aragon

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There's a press release now in the wild:
Transport for Wales (TfW) has announced plans to provide space for up to 6,500 more commuters a week from December this year, whilst introducing additional trains right across the Wales and Borders rail network.

Improvements for rail passengers in December 2019 will include:

• Valley lines will see more four-carriage trains on peak services and combined with other rolling stock changes, will provide space for up to 6,500 more commuters every week.
• Passengers between Cheltenham and Maesteg, and between Cardiff and Ebbw Vale will have the benefit of modern Class 170 trains with more space, onboard passenger information systems, accessible toilets, air conditioning, Wi-Fi and power sockets.
• Long distance passengers on some services between North Wales and Manchester will be traveling on more modern ‘Mark 4 intercity’ carriages.

As part of the updated plan for December, Porterbrook, the supplier of the delayed Class 769s, will provide additional Class 153 trains until the previously ordered Class 769s are available for use.

Mary Grant, CEO of Porterbrook, said:

“Porterbrook is committed to working closely with TfW as they continue to transform the experience of rail passengers across Wales. Some of TfW’s plans depend on our innovative Class 769 trains, whose introduction into service has been subject to delays for which we apologise. We are actively working with TfW and our supply chain to deliver these trains as soon as possible. In the meantime, we have accelerated delivery of our Class 170 units and are also supplying additional trains to cover for the Class 769s and provide support to TfW and their passengers.”

TfW will also be improving the onboard experience for long-distance journeys with the introduction of refurbished, more accessible Mark 4 intercity carriages on certain services between North Wales and Manchester, and an additional loco-hauled service on the key Holyhead-Cardiff route linking North and South Wales.

Passenger feedback has highlighted the need to improve capacity and resilience in the fleet as a key priority, TfW plan to deliver this by keeping Pacer trains for a short period during 2020, subject to receiving a time-limited dispensation against the mandatory requirements for accessible rail vehicles which come into force on 1st January 2020. The Pacers and Class 37 loco hauled trains will gradually be removed from service as the more modern and comfortable Class 769s become available in the new year.

The popular Class 37 loco-hauled trains were temporarily added to the fleet back in May 2019 to help provide an immediate capacity boost on the busy Rhymney Valley line – again in response to demands from customers for extra seats.

James Price, Transport for Wales CEO said:

“Our customer research reveals that being able to sit or stand comfortably on a train is a top priority for many people, and therefore we hope that our customers will welcome plans which will mean a big increase in capacity for December.

“We’re also pleased that we’re improving the overall experience for passengers using services between Cheltenham and Maesteg, and between Cardiff and Ebbw Vale through the introduction of more modern accessible trains.
“Our plan is to retain some of our Pacer and Class 37 loco-hauled trains for a short period of time in 2020 to allow us to increase capacity of our busiest routes, meaning extra space onboard for our customers.

“We have always focused on delivering what our customers want, and we will do all we can to provide further capacity, which is their key priority. We must remain responsive to the needs of all of our customers, even if this means changing our plans.”
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Key details include:
  • Mark 4 carriages on "some" North Wales - Manchester services, and an additional loco-hauled Holyhead-Cardiff service, implying that the Premier Class Mark 3 set is going to remain in use on the Cardiff-Holyhead runs for now.
  • Class 37 train will be retained for a "short period" in 2020, as well as some Pacers
  • Porterbrook are providing additional Class 153s to cover the absence of their still-not-in-service 769s
 
dk1

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krus_aragon said:
There's a press release now in the wild:

Key details include:
  • Mark 4 carriages on "some" North Wales - Manchester services, and an additional loco-hauled Holyhead-Cardiff service, implying that the Premier Class Mark 3 set is going to remain in use on the Cardiff-Holyhead runs for now.
  • Class 37 train will be retained for a "short period" in 2020, as well as some Pacers
  • Porterbrook are providing additional Class 153s to cover the absence of their still-not-in-service 769s
Click to expand...
Think the 153s are 306/9/14/22/35 from Greater Anglia.
 
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PHILIPE

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krus_aragon said:
There's a press release now in the wild:

Key details include:
  • Mark 4 carriages on "some" North Wales - Manchester services, and an additional loco-hauled Holyhead-Cardiff service, implying that the Premier Class Mark 3 set is going to remain in use on the Cardiff-Holyhead runs for now.
  • Class 37 train will be retained for a "short period" in 2020, as well as some Pacers
  • Porterbrook are providing additional Class 153s to cover the absence of their still-not-in-service 769s
Click to expand...

Beaten to it again. Everything here:-

https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/will-tfw-meet-the-1-1-2020-prm-deadline.192842/page-2
 
anthony263

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Maesteg is due to get a 2 hourly service from 15th December to cardiff although its first sunday of operation its running as a shuttle service between maesteg and bridgend only due to engineering work between Bridgend and Cardiff central.

Pyle is also set to gain a much needed increase in trains on sundays with more Milford haven to Manchester services stopping on sundays
 
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