This is not the first occasion something like this has been done. Crosscountry used to have "shop" facilities onboard. As part of refranchising, Arriva proposed to serve customers "at seat". To back this up they carried out a survey beforehand asking the Question: "Would you like to be served at seat?" The answer gave a majority saying yes. Most people that I have spoken to since the Shops have been removed and a trolley service instigated, have found that a trolley cannot replace a shop. Hot food no longer exists in Standard Class. There is no Catering service West of Plymouth or North of Edinburgh.Some trains after 8pm have no catering either....for 1st AND Standard class customers.
When the trains are full, most usually with luggage, the trolley cannot make it through the train. So you stil;l have to get to the end of the train for refreshments.
Part of the Arguement was to remove the shop and replace it with luggage space. This is underused. After all would you leave your luggage severa coaches away?
First Great Western also tried to do away with their Buffets and have a trolley service instead. However, concerted attempts by the company were thwarted by Staff and their union. The RMT. This resulted in "mini" buffets being installed in 2+7 HST sets where the buffet Cars had been removed.
Catering is seen as an area where Rail Companies can in effect make cuts to services. An accountant sees the hire cost of a Buffet coach, compared to the number of passengers carried on HST coaches generally,typically less than 20 in a coach as opposed to 80 in a full standard coach, as not cost effective. On trains withouth buffet coaches, such as class 220, 221,222 etc, the space taken by the shop would achieve higher revenue as seats!!
I would urge any members of train crew, ( In Great Western's case the Train managers supported the Catering staff), and travellers to actively oppose these cuts. Get a petition up and contact all MP's who may use your services to put pressure on EMT.
Otherwise there may be a threat to hot food(how do you heat a Panini or burger on a trolley?), and service generally. You may be served at seat but only when the staff can get to you and only when the trolley is in the coach, not necessarily when you want it. In larger trains where there are 8 coaches how often will a member of staff pass through your coach, and how long will the limited amount of hot water last? It may run out before you are seen.
In my opinion, a trolley service is inferior to a Buffet on many levels.
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. This is cooked in the kitchen. Don't think this will continue after May either if you want breakfast you will need to be in first I suspect.
