I've noticed recently quite a few times that a reason for delays is "train cancellations" as per the below.
Is this just another way of saying that there is a reduced service due to Covid? In which case why don't they just change the timetables?
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I think that's used to distinguish part of the line being suspended from the whole line being suspended, rather than only some trains operating on that section.Their other classic was/is "... line part suspended between x and y" when no passenger trains whatsoever were operating on that section i.e. suspended or fully suspended not part suspended
In this case the weekend reduced service on the C&H is very much planned, until further notice. Traditional Circle service regulated as necessary.Unlike national rail LU is attempting to deliver a 100% service (apart from bits like the W&C), and to be fair they haven’t done too badly considering the depleted resources.
Quite simply, it means they have a list of uncovered or part-uncovered crew duties, which in turns means trains will be cancelled for the durations of the periods when no driver is available. In turn this causes consequential issues, as if for example a train arrives at a relief point and the next driver is unavailable then the incoming driver will have to take the train to a siding, which could then make that driver late for his next train. So quite a bit of disruption can occur even for a small list of uncovered duties.
How this affects the service as a whole will depend on the extent so which the control staff are able to smooth things over - for example planning ways of taking trains out without causing a knock-on delay/cancellation. Unfortunately weekends in particular tend to be tight at the best of times for various reasons, so this reduces the number of options available for doing things seamlessly. Add to that a few short-notice sicknesses and even the best-laid plans can end up going awry.
As for why there’s uncovered duties at the moment, lots of reasons - Covid, training, vacancies, places bring under establishment in the first place, half term, staff being fed up, et cetera. Unlike national rail LU is attempting to deliver a 100% service (apart from bits like the W&C), and to be fair they haven’t done too badly considering the depleted resources.
It doesn’t help that no one really knows what the government has in mind regarding getting life back to normal, so it’s not easy to devise a suitable timetable. Meanwhile there’s the government versus mayor politics which has essentially set Khan up to commit to a 100% service with less than 100% resource to support it.
They've been stopped from saying exactly that by the unions due to drivers receiving (or potentially receiving) abuse from passengers for not turning up to work. (Even though they are at work at the time). Stereotypical lazy tube driver and all that.This seems fair, but delays "due to train cancellations" is a very bizarre way of stating it to the public. Delays "due to a shortage of train crew" should be the normal way of declaring it.
Only operated 0900-2000 yesterday and when it did only two trains on each Circle.The Circle Line was closed after 2000hrs yesterday (14/02/21) and passengers advised to use District and H&C.
Circumlocution at its very best. Sir Humphrey would be most impressed!This seems fair, but delays "due to train cancellations" is a very bizarre way of stating it to the public. Delays "due to a shortage of train crew" should be the normal way of declaring it.
This seems fair, but delays "due to train cancellations" is a very bizarre way of stating it to the public. Delays "due to a shortage of train crew" should be the normal way of declaring it.
They've been stopped from saying exactly that by the unions due to drivers receiving (or potentially receiving) abuse from passengers for not turning up to work. (Even though they are at work at the time). Stereotypical lazy tube driver and all that.
We were getting it on the neck a while ago and getting grief due to ‘an absence of train operators’ when it was more a resourcing issue rather than a load of drivers pulling a sickie but the public never saw it that way so the language was changed to something more generic and less accusatory.That's rather ridiculous, TOCs use it all the time and I don't think drivers are getting loads of abuse! You can word it in many different ways but the reason should be a bit clearer.
We were getting it on the neck a while ago and getting grief due to ‘an absence of train operators’ when it was more a resourcing issue rather than a load of drivers pulling a sickie but the public never saw it that way so the language was changed to something more generic and less accusatory.
Indeed, lack of control room staffMetropolitan and Circle Lines completely suspended on Sunday and no District Line between Edgware Road and HSK, coupled with planned closure on the H&C.
Good luck using Chiltern services, they are also suspended over the Met all day.Passengers to use the Jubilee line, Chiltern and local bus services where rail replacement buses don't reach.
TfLs advice not mine!Good luck using Chiltern services, they are also suspended over the Met all day.
Good luck using Chiltern services, they are also suspended over the Met all day.
In a fashion it's not daft advice, after all Chiltern also serve West Ruislip (potentially serving a Met line destination Ruislip / Ickenham and also useful for bus connections to Uxbridge), as well as Denham / Gerrards Cross / Beaconsfield that aren't too far from Uxbridge / Rickmansworth / Chalfont / Chorleywood / Amersham etc; however the strange thing is that the message implies that tickets will only be valid on the via Amersham line - which as you mention will also be affected!TfLs advice not mine!
ML-1 from Wembley Park all stations to Harrow (for some reason, not Rayners Lane to connect with the Piccadilly?)
What's the reason for this? Where can I find this information? ThanksGood luck using Chiltern services, they are also suspended over the Met all day.
The latest info given to LU staff is that Chiltern are running on Sunday (subject to cancellations) and the Pic is running to Uxbridge.TfL website now updated to show it stopping at Rayners Lane.
What's the reason for this? Where can I find this information? Thanks
They've been stopped from saying exactly that by the unions due to drivers receiving (or potentially receiving) abuse from passengers for not turning up to work. (Even though they are at work at the time). Stereotypical lazy tube driver and all that.
So the Unions are in charge of passenger advice now
..... gutless management
TfL website now updated to show it stopping at Rayners Lane.
What's the reason for this? Where can I find this information? Thanks
A generation ago a chalked blackboard notice read "Delays due to earlier late running ...".This seems fair, but delays "due to train cancellations" is a very bizarre way of stating it to the public.
This is really not good enough. My sister is a nurse and now with the Met line suspended on Sunday she can't get into work, meaning that an already critically understaffed ward is now dangerously so...Metropolitan and Circle Lines completely suspended on Sunday and no District Line between Edgware Road and HSK, coupled with planned closure on the H&C.