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Drop in passenger numbers sees train services cut

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Bletchleyite

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I have visions of drones whizzing around overhead everywhere delivering pints of milk!

MK already has wheeled delivery "drones" delivering basket-sized loads of food for two quid a go from Co-op stores, also a few takeaways use them as well. I got some stuff delivered this morning:

https://starshipdeliveries.com/

It isn't a massive step to drones. I'd expect a large scale trial within 5-10 years, and would be unsurprised if it was Amazon doing it.

They are probably uniquely suited to MK because they can run safely on the Redway network of cycle/footpath routes covering the entire town, but they can cope with a bit of limited pavement running.
 
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Meerkat

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MK already has wheeled delivery "drones" delivering basket-sized loads of food for two quid a go from Co-op stores, also a few takeaways use them as well. I got some stuff delivered this morning:

https://starshipdeliveries.com/

It isn't a massive step to drones. I'd expect a large scale trial within 5-10 years, and would be unsurprised if it was Amazon doing it.

They are probably uniquely suited to MK because they can run safely on the Redway network of cycle/footpath routes covering the entire town, but they can cope with a bit of limited pavement running.
Wow! Do they not get robbed?!
 

Bletchleyite

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Are there no rivers in MK ? That's where many of the bikes ended up when a hire scheme was tried in Sheffield (didn't last long, obviously).

There has been an issue with the hire bikes ending up in rivers, but not yet really these robots. The trials seem to be in the generally nicer areas which probably reduces the risk, and it's not a town with that big a vandalism problem anyway.
 

Meerkat

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They're covered in cameras. And what would you do with one without the means to control it?
Smash it open, steal the food, torch it - the batteries should make it an impressive display.

Everyone is at home now, but the elderly are home a lot. Of course, we will all have working from home days going forwards!
We won’t all be working from home!
 

jon0844

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I have a milkman

I used to before the company stopped. Then over the years they've tried and failed to start another service.

Part of the problem that repeatedly see it fail was deliveries made too late. Perhaps less of an issue if people work from home in the future, but I used to get back from work to warm milk when it had not been delivered at 6 or 7am but nearer midday.

I now use a supermarket or corner shop depending on urgency.
 

Killingworth

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News from the front line when out for my walk today. Hope Valley, Sheffield - Manchester, line down to 2 hourly TPE fast instead of hourly, 3 car instead of recent 6. East Midlands.hourly withdrawn. Northern hourly with some 2 hour gaps - 2 diagrams instead of 3. Obviously not yet possible to coordinate as 2 trains some hours and then gap of 2 hours, but hardly anyone on any of them.

Dore & Totley Station car park empty but for one car. Chap gone for a jog. Small children with parents making use of the 120 spaces to be taught cycling and scooter skills.

Oh for the days when we complained we couldn't get aboard a Pacer to get out into the Peak District on a Saturday. Or groused about not being able to get into the right carriage, let alone find the booked seat on a weekday commuter service for Manchester. Now the ticket machine warns not to attempt to travel unless the journey is absolutely essential, and round here folks aren't.

My previous posts may have underestimated the seriousness and length of the potential recovery. It's going to be a long haul and to different destinations from those we were expecting to be going only a month ago.

IMG_20200402_181015.jpg IMG_20200402_181052.jpg
 
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yorksrob

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My previous posts may have underestimated the seriousness and length of the potential recovery. It's going to be a long haul and to different destinations from those we were expecting to be going only a month ago.

Fundamentally people will still need to move about.

And fundamentally people will still need public transport.
 

Killingworth

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Fundamentally people will still need to move about.

And fundamentally people will still need public transport.

But not in quite such big numbers for quite some time, or necessarily in the same directions or the same times. We're already seeing big changes in society, some temporary and some will become permanent, and there will be more to come. Where we end up is totally unknown, and will be for many months yet.
 

yorksrob

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If anything they might need it more if being in a poor financial position forces sale of their car.

That is always a possibility,

But not in quite such big numbers for quite some time, or necessarily in the same directions or the same times. We're already seeing big changes in society, some temporary and some will become permanent, and there will be more to come. Where we end up is totally unknown, and will be for many months yet.

All the people I know are talking about when we can see eachother again and get back to our football matches etc. People won't want to live a troglodytic existance for ever more.
 

JonathanH

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All the people I know are talking about when we can see eachother again and get back to our football matches etc. People won't want to live a troglodytic existance for ever more.

Yes, I'd like to do those things but I know that practically it may not be possible if we need to continue to cut interactions to the absolute minimum. I suggest that some people will need to follow a troglodytic existance pretty much for the rest of their lives.
 

yorksrob

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Yes, I'd like to do those things but I know that practically it may not be possible if we need to continue to cut interactions to the absolute minimum. I suggest that some people will need to follow a troglodytic existance pretty much for the rest of their lives.

Even if they do, that won't be most. Not by a long chalk.
 

The Ham

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But not in quite such big numbers for quite some time, or necessarily in the same directions or the same times. We're already seeing big changes in society, some temporary and some will become permanent, and there will be more to come. Where we end up is totally unknown, and will be for many months yet.

Indeed. However one thing which is fairly likely is now working from home, which in turn could see some reduce the numbers of cars in a household. Although that may result in some extra rail travel, and whilst this is unlikely to all be during peak times it could result in rail seeing less of an impact than air or road sees.
 

JonathanH

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Even if they do, that won't be most. Not by a long chalk.

Until there is enough evidence to understand a) the long term health issues, b) the actual risk characteristics of 'healthy' people who are at risk, c) the 'safe' level of exposure and d) there is enough health service capacity most people should follow a troglodytic existance.

That doesn't need the passenger railway.
 

yorksrob

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Until there is enough evidence to understand a) the long term health issues, b) the actual risk characteristics of 'healthy' people who are at risk, c) the 'safe' level of exposure and d) there is enough health service capacity most people should follow a troglodytic existance.

That doesn't need the passenger railway.

But people will not follow a troglodytic existance once we have learned how to manage the virus.

People will go back to behaving like people.
 

Jamesrob637

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If anything they might need it more if being in a poor financial position forces sale of their car.

Glad I own a 12 year old low mileage Golf. Hence I've got money to take trains (when I can and Northern/TPE/Avanti/LNWR/XC can lure me in with cheap deals). I for one will continue to use trains for leisure post-COVID-19.
 

westv

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LNER posting self congratulatory tweet on Twitter saying how well their services are running.
 

trainophile

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Can't find it now, but Northern tweeted this morning that they are leaving all barriers open and not checking tickets. Bit of a recipe for chancers I imagine, but maybe it's the lesser of two evils.
 

The Ham

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Can't find it now, but Northern tweeted this morning that they are leaving all barriers open and not checking tickets. Bit of a recipe for chancers I imagine, but maybe it's the lesser of two evils.

Probably wouldn't make much difference.
 

Meerkat

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Can't find it now, but Northern tweeted this morning that they are leaving all barriers open and not checking tickets. Bit of a recipe for chancers I imagine, but maybe it's the lesser of two evils.
Where are the chancers going?!
 

Jamesrob637

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Northern's Sunday timetables on many lines aren't fantastic at the best of times so I don't think trains will be of use to many anyway. Unless, say, you live in Altrincham, get a one-way to Ashley and walk back via the lanes.
 

Meerkat

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I suspect that fare dodgers are more likely to be those who are disregarding the social distancing rules.

In which case they will get picked up by the BTP. It’s not really worth the risk - you are trapped in the train, easily monitored, and going to really struggle for an excuse. Stay local and you can claim shopping/exercise, anything far enough to use a train is going to be something with paperwork the police can ask for.
 

Bletchleyite

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In which case they will get picked up by the BTP. It’s not really worth the risk - you are trapped in the train, easily monitored, and going to really struggle for an excuse. Stay local and you can claim shopping/exercise, anything far enough to use a train is going to be something with paperwork the police can ask for.

Plenty of people in the Northern cities might use a train to go shopping, so that doesn't really follow. The usage of rail up north really does differ from the south where it's primarily about going to London or other big cities. For instance I'd be surprised if there wasn't a reasonable amount of one-stop usage on Merseyrail of that nature, such as from Aintree to the big Asda at the Old Roan. Bus is also an option, but passes around there include rail.
 

yorksrob

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Plenty of people in the Northern cities might use a train to go shopping, so that doesn't really follow. The usage of rail up north really does differ from the south where it's primarily about going to London or other big cities. For instance I'd be surprised if there wasn't a reasonable amount of one-stop usage on Merseyrail of that nature, such as from Aintree to the big Asda at the Old Roan. Bus is also an option, but passes around there include rail.

This is a very good point about public transport.

I struggled to get my weekly shop back home on foot this week, caught between the needs to avoid public transport, save delivery services for those who really need them and the preference of keeping trips to a minimum.

What with this, and the fact that the local supermarkets are limited, it would be useful to be able to use public transport to go to the big supermarket.
 
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