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Why do you choose a service / TOC

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Failed Unit

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Splitting this to avoid taking the EMR rolling stock thread off topic.

https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...idlands-franchise.180920/page-85#post-4390662

Running 12 cars in the peak will be needed because there will be a shift of commuters from using Thameslink at Bedford, Luton and Luton Parkway onto the faster EMR Electrics and a shift of leisure users at weekends.

Off Peak I’m not sure we need 12 cars but we see.

I am not sure if EMR will always be quicker, if you are say travelling from Luton - Westminster you may find it quicker to use Thameslink and change at Blackfriars rather than St Pancras.

I will be interesting to see how the demand gets split. I guess it will be on the lines of the following.

1. Speed to your ultimate destination (Thameslink may be slower to St Pancras but quicker depending on where the ultimate destination is)
2. Price.
3. Comfort - To early to tell which service you are more likely to get a seat on, but I will be surprised if either operator will have a problem at Luton Airport Parkway. EMR will have to do a shocking refurbishment if the 360s end up worse for passenger comfort then the 700s. We will see.
4. Reliablity - Time will tell but people the EMR service may be more reliable as it doesn't have to deal with problems from the Brighton Mainline. The Northern Rail Halifax - Hull service is currently welcome because it runs, whereas TPEs are often cancelled.

You also get the factor that people prefer an easier life. For example people use the Welwyn Garden City - Moorgate service throughout because they like the fact it starts at WGC and they don't think changing at Finsbury Park is worth the 10 minute saving considering you may have to stand (or may not get on the connection at all)

I do take comfort as a big plus to the extent that I always do London - Glasgow on the East Coast operator and if I was doing Edinburgh - Leeds I would always change at York because I find the LNER trains a better enviroment then the Voyagers and Pendos (My personal opinion - other may disagree with it but it still influences my choice)
 
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Aictos

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EMR have already stated they will be fully refurbishing the Class 360s however they will be entering service in their unrefurbished condition.

If I’m travelling London to Birmingham for example I’m happy using LNR however if I’m using London to Peterborough then I use LNER.

I did Birmingham to Edinburgh via Carstairs last year because it was cheaper then going via Newcastle but would have been happy on a Voyager if not so expensive.
 

Failed Unit

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EMR have already stated they will be fully refurbishing the Class 360s however they will be entering service in their unrefurbished condition.

I know, currently the seating is more comfortable then the 700s - what we don't know is will it be afterwards. Hopefully they won't cram it so close to the coach edge that people need to sit sideways to avoid the duct.
 

trebor79

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To/from Peterborough from the Breckland Line the itinerary always says to change at Thetford but I change at Ely because:
1. More time on a 755 rather than a 158
2. More options at Ely for onward travel if the EMR is late or cancelled.
3. I can get some food and drink at Ely.
4. There's a waiting room at Ely.
5. There's usually lots of railway activity which helps the time pass.
6. It's pretty much impossible to miss the connection, unless both trains are very late and the EMR is sent via Ely West Curve to save a few minutes.
 
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Aictos

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To/from Peterborough from the Breckland Line the itinerary always says to change at Thetford but I change at Ely because:
1. More time on a 755 rather than a 158
2. More options at Ely for onward travel if the EMR is late or cancelled.
3. I can get some food and drink at Ely.
4. There's a waiting room at Ely.
5. There's usually lots of railway activity which helps the time pass.
6. It's pretty much impossible to miss the connection, unless both trains are very late and the EMR is sent via Ely West Curve to save a few minutes.

I only change at Ely if need be just because there’s more connections available.

Anything else is a bonus.
 

StephenHunter

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EMR have already stated they will be fully refurbishing the Class 360s however they will be entering service in their unrefurbished condition.

If I’m travelling London to Birmingham for example I’m happy using LNR however if I’m using London to Peterborough then I use LNER.

I did Birmingham to Edinburgh via Carstairs last year because it was cheaper then going via Newcastle but would have been happy on a Voyager if not so expensive.

The 360s will start as 3+2 and go to 2+2 after refurbishment.
 
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