Arriva Rail North DOO

[Bletchleyite]

Wonder why they only released them now given strike action was announced a week or so ago? Is it because the chances are getting ever slimmer that the strike may be called off?

I suspect because they need to work out how many staff they think they are going to get, and do the planning exercise for the service they intend to run (and also some contingencies for what to do if they get fewer than planned).

 

[Jamesrob637]

I suspect because they need to work out how many staff they think they are going to get, and do the planning exercise for the service they intend to run (and also some contingencies for what to do if they get fewer than planned).

True, and I'm guessing they won't automatically use the same timetable that they used last time, which i think was Monday 10 July if memory serves me right

 

[Sybic26]

Could the reason they have not produced the North Western timetables is because of the problem at Moses Gate? Is there not a problem with a burst water main at this location?

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Could the reason they have not produced the North Western timetables is because of the problem at Moses Gate? Is there not a problem with a burst water main at this location?

Almost certainly, on regular service days, trains will be diverted and bus replacements will call at all stations between Manchester and Bolton (in both directions), so the use of available resources would have to be reconsidered on strike days.

 

[Jamesrob637]

There appear to be some timetables around Manchester for Friday on RTT... but should we take them with a pinch of salt for now?

 

[northwichcat]

There appear to be some timetables around Manchester for Friday on RTT... but should we take them with a pinch of salt for now?

If they are correct they'll be fewer trains on the Mid-Cheshire than on previous strike days and a number of replacement buses.

Just checked and next Monday will be the first day of the school year in the area, so Friday's strike will avoid the school starting/finishing crush but Monday's won't.

 

[Jamesrob637]

If they are correct they'll be fewer trains on the Mid-Cheshire than on previous strike days and a number of replacement buses.

Just checked and next Monday will be the first day of the school year in the area, so Friday's strike will avoid the school starting/finishing crush but Monday's won't.

Inset day for most methinks...

 

[northwichcat]

North West strike timetables now online - same link as above. However, there seem to be a few dead links.

 

[Jamesrob637]

I'll still make it to and from work okay by the looks of things, maybe with a very slight variation in my shift

 

[northwichcat]

So turns out part of the reason for the RMT strike being called for Friday is to try and disrupt the annual Blackpool illuminations switch on.

 

[northwichcat]

With regards to the public understanding why guards are striking I've seen two tweets asking Northern why they are sending their workers on strike. :roll:

 

[158756]

So turns out part of the reason for the RMT strike being called for Friday is to try and disrupt the annual Blackpool illuminations switch on.

Blackpool doesn't look to do too badly during the day, with half the usual service. But the last train leaving before 8 totally kills any illuminations traffic. I do wonder with the strikes what effect they'll have on rail usage in the North in the future, with the focus on targeting events and more occasional and discretionary travellers likely to dent already low public perceptions of rail travel.

Blackburn looks to do particularly badly from the strike, with the usual four hourly services reduced to an all shacks Blackpool to Burnley, and not even a bus to Manchester.

 

[northwichcat]

Blackburn looks to do particularly badly from the strike, with the usual four hourly services reduced to an all shacks Blackpool to Burnley, and not even a bus to Manchester.

Blackburn does have the 'Red Express' ordinary bus to Manchester, which only takes slightly longer than the Northern Rail Replacement Buses via Bolton. Whether all the rail passengers can fit on board is a different question!

Mid-Cheshire is down to just three return Chester-Altrincham workings on Friday but I've heard they rely on ATW to provide guards, which means all services are operated by 150s on strike days. Therefore, I imagine there's different reasons for services being reduced further on different routes.

 

[Andyh82]

Blackpool doesn't look to do too badly during the day, with half the usual service. But the last train leaving before 8 totally kills any illuminations traffic. I do wonder with the strikes what effect they'll have on rail usage in the North in the future, with the focus on targeting events and more occasional and discretionary travellers likely to dent already low public perceptions of rail travel.

Blackburn looks to do particularly badly from the strike, with the usual four hourly services reduced to an all shacks Blackpool to Burnley, and not even a bus to Manchester.

This is why I think more strikes will now be on Fridays and maybe Saturdays.

The daytime strike timetable is often approaching decent on many routes so they don't make a big enough impact, but evening services are withdrawn entirely, so more of an impact is made, and evening services are more likely to be used on Fridays.

 

[YorkshireBear]

This is why I think more strikes will now be on Fridays and maybe Saturdays.

The daytime strike timetable is often approaching decent on many routes so they don't make a big enough impact, but evening services are withdrawn entirely, so more of an impact is made, and evening services are more likely to be used on Fridays.

Yep, i had planned on using the train to get home from Bingley Festival on Friday but alas I cannot. Shame really means having to fork out for a taxi all the way to Dewsbury!

 

[noddingdonkey]

Seems to be a lack of info around this area on whether the buses will be using Slaithwaite and Marsden stations or the stops on Manchester Road as is often done for planned engineering bustitutions.

There are problems for people wanting a taxi as an alternative to the train due to some taxi companies closing for the day (and individual drivers at others taking the day off) due to Eid. The company that I regularly use has sent a text message to customers stating that they are closed today. Those companies that are still operating are likely to be ridiculously busy even without the strike at Northern.

 

[YorkshireBear]

Its a real shame Virgin couldn't stop their ECS Skipton to Doncaster at Bingley to collect the post festival crowds heading back to Leeds. As it is there will be one double decker bus to Leeds after the festival finishes and that is it....

I know there are plenty of potential issues with it I get that. But it is a shame no one could do that.

 

[northwichcat]

As it is there will be one double decker bus to Leeds after the festival finishes and that is it....

Um - capacity for up to around 95 passengers after a big event, that sounds woefully inadequate.

 

[YorkshireBear]

Um - capacity for up to around 95 passengers after a big event, that sounds woefully inadequate.

Well the festival did not make any plans to provide transport as it finishes at half 9 giving plenty of time to reach the last trains home and they can swallow up people. The strike was arranged at quite short notice so the festival goers could not arrange buses like that in time. What they have arranged is that the park and ride will be doubled in size for Friday only as will the bus service to it from the festival. The local bus companies are aware of the issue and have said they will be trying to send groups of double deckers on some scheduled services where time and staffing allows. But none have confirmed details. There is one bus to Leeds after 21:30 and that is the 22:24 Keighley & District to Leeds. So unless that comes as more than one bus. Then that is the entire capacity to Leeds after a 5 figure attended festival...

It's just such a shame that at 21:44 a VTEC set goes empty through Bingley on its way to Leeds. That could accommodate a good number of people.

I feel for the festival organisers as they managed to attract some big names this year.

 

[Bantamzen]

Yep, i had planned on using the train to get home from Bingley Festival on Friday but alas I cannot. Shame really means having to fork out for a taxi all the way to Dewsbury!

Well there is a Friday Only 662 departure from Bingley at 23:39 towards Bradford, is this worth a punt? I'll save some of your taxi fare at least!

 

[YorkshireBear]

Well there is a Friday Only 662 departure from Bingley at 23:39 towards Bradford, is this worth a punt? I'll save some of your taxi fare at least!

Yeah. Plan is head to Bradford to reduce the taxi fare if not.

I suppose this is exactly what the strikes are trying to do. Just frustrating that based on Southern, the strikes won't achieve anything and both sides will just stand firm!

 

[Andyh82]

According to the RMT on the news, withdrawing labour is a last resort, and that the strikes always seem to coincide with a major event is just a coincidence, as any day would clash with something somewhere.

 

[Smidster]

According to the RMT on the news, withdrawing labour is a last resort, and that the strikes always seem to coincide with a major event is just a coincidence, as any day would clash with something somewhere.

Oh come on - at least treat the public with a little bit of respect.

The whole point of striking is to cause disruption - you are not going to strike on a random Tuesday in August. You do it when people will notice and be impacted.

Fortunately I was able to work at home today and should be OK with the reduced service on Monday but hope that events like Bingley are OK this evening.

 

[Robertj21a]

According to the RMT on the news, withdrawing labour is a last resort, and that the strikes always seem to coincide with a major event is just a coincidence, as any day would clash with something somewhere.

Ha Ha Ha..........!!!

Isn't it about time the RMT membership did something about these clowns ?

 

[northwichcat]

According to the RMT on the news, withdrawing labour is a last resort

In that case all the new 195s and 331s must be being introduced this year with DCO being introduced as soon as the new trains enter service - oh not wait the RMT are striking 2 years before the proposed changes to make a point that they refuse to accept any form of DOO.

 

[northwichcat]

Oh dear I've just noticed the RMT have failed (miserably) at trying to invent a hashtag - #keeptheguardonthetrain They are supposed to be as few characters as possible e.g. #GE2017 was used for the General Election.

 

[HH]

Perhaps ARN will respond with #keeptheguardonthetrainbutdontlethimopenthedoors

 

[the sniper]

But what would you blokes do if the RMT didn't give you such petty stuff to have a circle jerk over...?

 

[northwichcat]

But what would you blokes do if the RMT didn't give you such petty stuff to have a circle jerk over...?

Don't worry the Daily Mail and Fox News will still exist for those who like laughing at poor attempts of reporting.

 

[wingsoveryorks]

Delusional postings as usual.

1) Do you really think the RMT thought, "Lets disrupt a third rate music festival in a little unheard of town in West Yorkshire by calling a strike on the 1st of September"
The strike was called over these dates because it spreads the wage loss over two pay periods. Their support for the strike is so fragile they have to do this or it will crumble. (Rock solid my backside) Same reasons the last strike was called over those dates. Get your calendar out and work it out for yourselves. It's not rocket science.

2) Some conductors turned up. Shame Northern haven't got the gumption to use them to run extra services. Instead many were used to relieve managers who were booked to cover trains, but didn't fancy it. I know planning services isn't easy, but come on.

3) Sooner or later the gloves are going to have to come off here. Having striking workers make up their loss by working overtime a few days later might seem an acceptable idea, and save money by not having to cancel services, but my goodness this policy could stretch this strike by several years.

4) A question to Northernrail strikers. "If you are on strike to hurt the company, why are you wanting to help them out by covering uncovered shifts days later" Surly not covering shifts by working overtime would further your cause. Look up the word "Hypocrisy"