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Companies Using "Because of COVID" As An Excuse For Poor Service

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Falcon1200

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The whole face mask thing has become utterly bizarre. A couple of weeks ago I received my Covid and flu injections. The check-in staff were wearing masks, as were all the other vaccinees in the waiting area, so I put my mask on too. When I went in to get the jabs, the medic was maskless! And they of course were the person I was closest to during the whole process.
 
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lyndhurst25

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Mersey Tunnels

“Please pay by T-FLOW, Fast Tag or contactless card if you can. If not please have the correct change ready and use the automatic lanes, as change cannot be given. This is to protect both customers and staff.”

Yeah, nothing to do with them wanting to save money dealing with change.
 

185143

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Onboard member of staff on this Irish Rail train apologised for the lack of catering, blaming it on Covid-19 restrictions.

What year is it?:frown:

As an aside, I'm loving the fact that everything runs very well, fares are 20% cheaper than they were in 2020 and staff have had a significant payrise!
 

danm14

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Onboard member of staff on this Irish Rail train apologised for the lack of catering, blaming it on Covid-19 restrictions.
Well, to be fair to them, it is due to Covid restrictions - albeit the ones that were in force until 10 months ago, not any that are currently in effect [none are currently in effect].

When masks were mandatory on public transport in Ireland, it was illegal to remove your mask to eat or drink, so catering could not be provided until the restriction was lifted at the end of February 2022.

As a result of this, the catering company couldn't afford to start providing the service again in March 2022, so Irish Rail are in the process of tendering for another catering company.
 

duncanp

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Well, to be fair to them, it is due to Covid restrictions - albeit the ones that were in force until 10 months ago, not any that are currently in effect [none are currently in effect].

When masks were mandatory on public transport in Ireland, it was illegal to remove your mask to eat or drink, so catering could not be provided until the restriction was lifted at the end of February 2022.

As a result of this, the catering company couldn't afford to start providing the service again in March 2022, so Irish Rail are in the process of tendering for another catering company.

It seems that staffing issues and "significant additional costs" are the reason for no service at the moment.

But as ever, it is easy to blame COVID rather than admit the truth.


THERE WILL BE no on-board catering services on Irish Rail’s intercity services until 2023 at the earliest, the company has announced.

In a statement, Irish Rail said it had been unable to tender a new contract with catering provider RailGourmet, who provided snacks, coffees and a trolley service on intercity journeys.

“This is despite extensive efforts by both Iarnród Éireann and RailGourmet to see on-board catering services resume, following their enforced absence for two years of the pandemic,” the statement said.

“We will quickly commence the process to tender for a new catering contract.However, this will mean that catering services are unlikely to be available on board until at least early 2023.”

Irish Rail’s on-board catering service was suspended at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, and since the lifting of face covering regulations in February, staff issues and significant additional costs meant RailGourmet was unable to resume services.

“We sincerely apologise to customers who will be inconvenienced by this and we look forward to returning the on-board catering service to you as soon as we can,” the statement added.
 

Russel

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Well, it looks like 2023 is the year the Llanberis Lake Railway have reverted to selling standard tickets rather than only offering whole compartments due to 'covid restrictions' !
 

nw1

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As an aside, I'm loving the fact that everything runs very well, fares are 20% cheaper than they were in 2020 and staff have had a significant payrise!

So how can the Irish railways afford to run a decent service, cut fares, and increase pay, when the UK can't? Or is it the good old "British Way" in force again? ;)

When you hear things like this it just seems to suggest that the UK often has its priorities wrong compared to other European countries.
 

Watershed

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So how can the Irish railways afford to cut fares and increase pay, when the UK can't? Or is it the good old "British Way" in force again? ;)
As always, it's a matter of how much the respective governments are willing to subsidise public transport. The Irish government cut most public transport fares by 20% as a cost of living measure, and a counterbalance to the reduction in fuel duty.

Meanwhile, Westminster only cut fuel duty, and now suggests that rail users should be grateful they're only being dealt a 6% increase. It's absolutely pathetic.
 

nw1

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As always, it's a matter of how much the respective governments are willing to subsidise public transport. The Irish government cut most public transport fares by 20% as a cost of living measure, and a counterbalance to the reduction in fuel duty.

Meanwhile, Westminster only cut fuel duty, and now suggests that rail users should be grateful they're only being dealt a 6% increase. It's absolutely pathetic.
Indeed. Maybe Useless Rishi should visit a few other countries and learn from them.
 

danm14

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Do they have railcards in Ireland?
No.

Those aged 66 or over, and those in receipt of disability or carers benefits get free travel on all State-funded public transport and most private bus operators' services with no time restrictions. This entitlement card is provided free of charge.

Students and those aged up to 23 travel at half fare on all State-funded public transport and some private bus operators' services, again with no time restrictions. A refundable €5 deposit applies for the relevant entitlement card, although on State-funded public transport a regular student card is sufficient instead.
 
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pdeaves

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Indeed. Maybe Useless Rishi should visit a few other countries and learn from them.
'Abroad' always looks better at first, until you look at all aspects of the country. Better in one aspect nearly always comes with a less good to even things up. So, be careful what you wish for.
 

island

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Do they have railcards in Ireland?
There is a student railcard, although this has currently been melded into a young person's discount for under-23s as a notionally temporary measure to promote public transport use post-COVID. The discount is at least 50% and can be more; for example Dublin Heuston to Cork is €28.80 for a young person anytime return as opposed to €71.20 for an adult. (The student fare is lower than it was back when I travelled frequently in the early 2000s, I have old tickets priced €31.50 and €34.)

As mentioned further up, residents aged 66 and up get free travel, as do recipients of certain disability benefits. Depending on the specific circumstances, a spouse or equivalent, or a carer (which may be anyone aged 16 and up) may accompany them.

In the past, Iarnród Éireann offered three discount scheme cards: the Student Travelcard (and previously ISIC with Travelsave stamp) for full-time students, 16-25 Railcard (formerly Faircard) for anyone else aged under 26, and Weekender for anyone aged 26-65. The former two offered varying discounts off InterCity anytime single and return fares, while the Weekender discount allowed the purchase of return tickets to use outbound on Friday to Sunday and back by Tuesday. The discount was a separate fare table and not a specific percentage. And for some time, holders of annual season tickets could buy tickets at the Faircard rate. These have all been wound-up and the only remaining concession is the student/u23.
 

danm14

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There is a student railcard, although this has currently been melded into a young person's discount for under-23s as a notionally temporary measure to promote public transport use post-COVID.
The discount being applied to all under-23s regardless of student status, and the 50% discount level on State-funded (PSO) services are both officially permanent as per the announcement in Budget 2022 - the only temporary part is the State-subsidised 50% fare on private bus operators' services (which is supposedly a cost-of-living measure aimed at students who commute to/from college). The scheme for private bus operators was a poorly thought out decision borne from needing to be seen to be doing something anyway - it's been massively abused, with several entirely student-aimed operators doubling their fares immediately before joining (so instead of getting a €10 fare from the student, they now get €20 - €10 paid by the student and €10 paid by the State); and part time students over 23 were thrown under the bus [pardon the pun] with a massive price increase overnight (they were previously eligible for the operators own student fares, but now pay full adult fare as the State-subsidised scheme is not available to part time students, and every operator bar one who joined the State scheme revoked their own student fares on joining)

It is, of course, not a Railcard in the UK sense - aside from being valid on buses, and being de facto free (€5 deposit + €5 minimum travel credit top-up - both refundable on expiry if not used), it is not even mandatory for the discount (except for private bus operators, who are required to record card numbers to prevent them abusing the subsidy) - with Irish Rail accepting any student card, full or part time, from anywhere in the world; and PSO buses accepting any Republic of Ireland student card, full or part time (and in practice Northern Ireland and UK student cards too).

As mentioned further up, residents aged 66 and up get free travel, as do recipients of certain disability benefits. Depending on the specific circumstances, a spouse or equivalent, or a carer (which may be anyone aged 16 and up) may accompany them.
In addition, residents of Northern Ireland aged 65 or over travel free within the Republic of Ireland; while Blind and War Disabled residents of Northern Ireland can travel cross-border but not wholly within the Republic. Reciprocally, residents of the Republic of Ireland aged 66 or over can travel free in Northern Ireland; while under 66s with free travel can travel cross-border but not wholly within Northern Ireland. (Although in practice, I know that many who are only entitled to cross-border travel abuse break of journey rules and the availability of anywhere-to-anywhere through ticketing to make journeys wholly within the other jurisdiction - for example, I'd imagine the number of cross-border free train tickets issued from Londonderry to Dundalk exceeds by several orders of magnitude the number of regular tickets sold for that journey)
 

westv

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Not sure where to put this.

Our local (Look North, Hull) news leads with "experts" telling us that face masks should come back.

Slow news day?
 

Iskra

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Not sure where to put this.

Our local (Look North, Hull) news leads with "experts" telling us that face masks should come back.

Slow news day?
They are still an option, if people perceive a need they will wear them. The fact the vast majority are choosing not to, probably answers the 'story' better than any words on a forum ever will.
 

kez19

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Not sure where to put this.

Our local (Look North, Hull) news leads with "experts" telling us that face masks should come back.

Slow news day?

Find it a bit coincedental that Nicola Sturgeon mentions masks today in Scotland and somehow the BBC in Hull (England) now seem to jump on the bandwagon.

I'm finding it in general the media are nudge units they'll want things back but it'll be a rule for us to them (as if we haven't learnt from this - as in terms of media getting too much of a say).
 

102 fan

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Find it a bit coincedental that Nicola Sturgeon mentions masks today in Scotland and somehow the BBC in Hull (England) now seem to jump on the bandwagon.

I'm finding it in general the media are nudge units they'll want things back but it'll be a rule for us to them (as if we haven't learnt from this - as in terms of media getting too much of a say).


The media is like Corporal Jones, running around shouting 'Don't panic, don't pamic!' while the rest of the platoon look on in wonderment.
 

kez19

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The media is like Corporal Jones, running around shouting 'Don't panic, don't pamic!' while the rest of the platoon look on in wonderment.

The media seem more these days as if they like this hysteria and chaos, but once created it’s the simple walk away from it and deflect it back.
 

Kite159

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The media will be "we demand masks & other restrictions are introduced again" until masks & other restrictions get introduced then they will be "when will these restrictions get lifted?"
 

kez19

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The media will be "we demand masks & other restrictions are introduced again" until masks & other restrictions get introduced then they will be "when will these restrictions get lifted?"

If I remember rightly, the media were more happy for the restrictions to stay but demanded more not less of?
As I say it’s ironic that the media seem to have a bigger say than your average Joe on the street but they get what they want and stamp their feet.

I be surprised if the media got exposed then they run for cover make excuses.
 

Bungle73

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Just been for a meal in a local pub in Faversham, in their restaurant. Just behind our table there was still a sign up going on about "respecting social distancing" and "keeping people safe", which was very odd considering all their other Covid gubbings was removed ages ago, and it's a basic sign probably held up with bluetac, so I'm not sure why it's still there.
 

DelayRepay

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Just been for a meal in a local pub in Faversham, in their restaurant. Just behind our table there was still a sign up going on about "respecting social distancing" and "keeping people safe", which was very odd considering all their other Covid gubbings was removed ages ago, and it's a basic sign probably held up with bluetac, so I'm not sure why it's still there.
The staff have probably become 'blind' to it since it's been there for so long. I still occasionally spot outdated signs about Covid and other things in my workplace, despite someone from facilities having been sent around the building to remove everything.

My local shop still has a sign up saying they will be closed during the Queen's funeral. And the pub still has a poster in the gents showing the schedule of football World Cup matches.

The question is not whether they have a sign up about Covid restrictions, but if they are making any effort at all to 'enforce' these so called restrictions.
 

MikeWM

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The staff have probably become 'blind' to it since it's been there for so long. I still occasionally spot outdated signs about Covid and other things in my workplace, despite someone from facilities having been sent around the building to remove everything.

We've still got a sign up in our office kitchen dated March 4th 2020 advising us what to do 'during the ongoing covid-19 outbreak'! I've thought about taking it down a few times but at this point it is an interesting piece of history.

Perhaps interestingly, while most of what it says is fairly bog-standard pre-covid public health advice, it does say that if you have flu-like symptoms you should stay home *and wear a mask*. Which, at the time, wasn't actually what was generally advised, so that is somewhat intriguing.
 

Red Onion

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We've still got a sign up in our office kitchen dated March 4th 2020 advising us what to do 'during the ongoing covid-19 outbreak'! I've thought about taking it down a few times but at this point it is an interesting piece of history.

Perhaps interestingly, while most of what it says is fairly bog-standard pre-covid public health advice, it does say that if you have flu-like symptoms you should stay home *and wear a mask*. Which, at the time, wasn't actually what was generally advised, so that is somewhat intriguing.

We’ve one on our office door which says “have you travelled to China, Italy or Iran…” and dates back to pre-lockdown days. It seems to have been left up for much the same reason!
 

Falcon1200

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I passed through Glasgow Central Low Level today, for the first time in a while, and was surprised to see the Covid-required one way system is still in operation. This means a longer walk for passengers entering the Low Level, more importantly those leaving the platforms are physically prevented from using the up escalator by large metal barriers, and must use a narrow and steep staircase. No doubt Scotrail will cite crowd control requirements, but the arrangement is unnecessary and inconveniences passengers.
 
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