How about posters advertising number of trains delayed by passengers

[deltic1989]

Could the door blockers not be dealt with under Bylaw 6.8:

No person shall molest or wilfully interfere with the comfort or convenience of
any person on the railway.

or 10.1

No person shall enter through any train door until any person leaving by that
door has passed through.

The problem I see with the OP's proposition is that some people particularly customers have an inherent problem with being told when they are wrong, or when they have done something to inconvenience others.
As has been mentioned there will be people that hold open or block doors who will then blame the TOC when the train is late.
The way I see it in modern times with some sectors of the public's views, the TOC's are in a catch 22 situation.

 

[infobleep]

Clearly it's politically opening a can of worms display these figures but as I joked to someone who drives trains: They would run to time far more often if they didn't have to carry passengers.

In the last 13 months, on only 8-9 occasions have all the trains I've caught in one day arrived within a minute of their public timetable time. That figure doesn't include trains which arrive early either. I travel mostly Monday to Friday but that includes weekends when I've travelled. On average I currently take 3 trains a day.

Now there is no way all these minor delays, since most are, are the fault of the train companies. This is one of the reasons why I'm interested in the number of trains that are delayed by passengers and that displaying a poster would be interesting.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

[feline1]

Now there is no way all these minor delays, since most are, are the fault of the train companies.

Indeed - about half of them are due to Network Rail's infrastructure falling to bits. Oh whoops, there goes another signal! :roll:

 

[Tomnick]

In that case, "Control" may not be the most apt name for them.

Far better to take a few minutes to gather all the information and make a sensible decision than rush to make a bad decision, no?

 

[Taunton]

London Underground, doors closed, then recycled, followed by a snitty PA from the front to us all about people obstructing the doors in car 6 (mine).

Next station, same recycling of doors open and closed, but no PA this time.

Next station, two recycles, then driver walks back and pokes the door tracks .......

No person shall enter through any train door until any person leaving by that
door has passed through.

This unfortunately doesn't allow for people alighting who have not managed to get through the crush to the doors by the time they open.

 

[feline1]

Far better to take a few minutes to gather all the information and make a sensible decision than rush to make a bad decision, no?

In my experience, they usually don't make decisions. And platform staff stand around moaning that Control aren't sending them any info. Perhaps Control are too busy rolling around in a big inflatable paddling pool, full of everyone's season ticket money?

 

[Flamingo]

In my experience, they usually don't make decisions. And platform staff stand around moaning that Control aren't sending them any info. Perhaps Control are too busy rolling around in a big inflatable paddling pool, full of everyone's season ticket money?

Ok, you have a chip on your shoulder, we get it! Do you have anything useful to contribute, or are you just here to vent?

 

[Tomnick]

If Control didn't make any decisions, the job would completely stop pretty quickly during disruption! Any idea how difficult it is for them to continually juggle trains and crews, with an eye on their respective constraints, whilst also trying to deal with whatever has caused the problem to begin with?

 

[455driver]

Ok, you have a chip on your shoulder, we get it! Do you have anything useful to contribute, or are you just here to vent?

More like a family sized portion!

He obviously has all the answers because 'we' are always wrong!

 

[dcsprior]

When a door is being obstructed, does the driver/guard see on a display which carriage (or even which door) it is?

When making PA announcements, can these be made to only a single carriage?

 

[Bald Rick]

I think the most effective method is to name and shame on the train, particularly for those who hold a door open when it is closing.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, apologies for the delay to your journey as we departed from (station), this was due to the gentleman with the red coat in coach 5 who decided to try and board when the doors were closing. Please do feel free to let him know how you feel about being delayed."

Instant shame, and a train full of people who won't hold doors open in future.

Failing that, razor blades on the door seals.

 

[SouthStand]

Yeah, I think posters like that would quite accurately reflect the contempt for passengers that many ToC staff have.

Really need a Facebook "Like" button sometimes on these forums

 

[Crossover]

I think there should be queue lines painted on the platforms that lead to where the doors will land. That should in theory make station stops more efficient. It seems to work really well in Japan.

Not that any British person would pay attention to them.

The problem is that the trains either stop is slightly different locations each time, or (and more pertinently) trains of different lengths and different door configurations often call at the same station, so it simply won't work in most cases

The like of Sheffield Supertram I noted had marked areas of the doors (tactile paving) which is useful for knowing where to wait, but that is a straightforward case

 

[Flamingo]

I think Feline1's misunderstanding is that he thinks staff have a contempt for passengers in general, while I bet the feelings of contempt are directed at him personally...

Back on subject, there should be a differentiation between delays attributable to the TOC and ones that Network Rail are responsible for....

 

[jon0844]

Oh dear.

Some people really have nothing better to do than constantly harass on there.

That's when complaining becomes like an addiction. Did I read a Tweet about a train being 3 minutes late? THREE minutes? OMG - end of the world stuff!

 

[Darandio]

That's when complaining becomes like an addiction. Did I read a Tweet about a train being 3 minutes late? THREE minutes? OMG - end of the world stuff!

Of course, that is probably more in jest than anything, it's just the fact that it's been brought up, it's pointless.

And we all know that 3 minutes isn't officially late anyway.

 

[trainophile]

When complaining about people bypassing several open doors in order to board at a particular one, presumably you're not including trains where seat reservations are pretty much the norm, e.g. Virgin?

Waiting for an arrival at Birmingham New Street the other day, we were informed that "First Class is at the rear of the train", which was fine if you use that service regularly, but not much good if you don't know from which direction the train is coming. On appearance of train, cue general stampeding the length of the platform, in both directions.

Anyone with luggage other than small hand baggage would want to board the correct coach, as with suitcase-sized luggage it's impossible to get through possibly several coaches, where other people are stowing their bags in the overhead racks, and generally blocking the aisles.

As for letting people get off before boarding, there's always one (or two) who remain seated until everyone else has gone, then stroll down to the luggage rack and faff around there, before eventually deciding to appear at the doors, by which time people are boarding because they couldn't know the disembarkation hadn't finished. Sorry but they don't help themselves. It's always fit, able-bodied folk who do this, so no excuse other than lack of consideration.

 

[PermitToTravel]

I've heard similar announcements on the Underground. As an example, a Central line train I was on had trouble with the doors due to someone holding them open for someone else. Upon departure the driver gave a lecture over the tannoy about why holding the doors is bad and will ultimately cause problems for every passenger on this packed train!

The driver was being a bit condescending in his tone, but on the whole I think it was justified.

I've heard that announcement pretty much every time anyone's held the doors on a tube train.

Yeah, I think posters like that would quite accurately reflect the contempt for passengers that many ToC staff have.

I'm not railstaff, but I have nothing short of utter contempt for anyone who intentionally delays a train. I'm sure many others share my sentiments.

 

[jon0844]

As for letting people get off before boarding, there's always one (or two) who remain seated until everyone else has gone, then stroll down to the luggage rack and faff around there, before eventually deciding to appear at the doors, by which time people are boarding because they couldn't know the disembarkation hadn't finished. Sorry but they don't help themselves. It's always fit, able-bodied folk who do this, so no excuse other than lack of consideration.

Ah, but I think once people are off and you start boarding, anyone who comes along late to alight has missed their option on being given priority.

The vast majority of cases aren't about people like that.

I do think that anyone who thinks such a posters would be a bad thing, or the railway showing contempt towards its users, are possibly people who are likely to do those very things themselves.

Otherwise, how could you possibly be upset about a train operator trying to be proactive in reducing delays?

 

[fowler9]

I just think it would be bad business to start telling customers it is their fault the train is late in a generalised poster. I'm working lates this week and if I start telling people it is their fault I can't do anything to help because they rang up at 9pm I'd expect to be back on the dole sharpish. There are ways of doing things.

 

[Flamingo]

I see the link to a certain social media page has been removed?

Probably just as well, why give the oxygen of publicity to those saddo's!

 

[Darandio]

I see the link to a certain social media page has been removed?

Probably just as well, why give the oxygen of publicity to those saddo's!

And any post relating directly to the link, without explanation, again!

What is there to hide?

 

[feline1]

Of course, that is probably more in jest than anything, it's just the fact that it's been brought up, it's pointless.

And we all know that 3 minutes isn't officially late anyway.

Three minutes a day on a monthly season ticket is 30 x 3 = a cumulative hour-and-a-ruddy-half of my life I'll neither get back nor receive a penny in 'Delay Repay' for. Just saying.:cry:

 

[Darandio]

Three minutes a day on a monthly season ticket is 30 x 3 = a cumulative hour-and-a-ruddy-half of my life I'll neither get back nor receive a penny in 'Delay Repay' for. Just saying.:cry:

Is it 3 minutes late every day then? Or at least 3 minutes and never on time? Just interested.

 

[feline1]

Is it 3 minutes late every day then? Or at least 3 minutes and never on time? Just interested.

Um, the latter, usually.
There have been weeks when it just never came at all and I just had to WALK 3 miles down the line to a bigger station. "FML" as I believe the kids say.

 

[Flamingo]

If it is that unreliable, you should catch a bus...

 

[feline1]

If it is that unreliable, you should catch a bus...

There is no bus, I'd have to get two different ones and the journey time would be longer than if I cycled (which I sometimes do, it usually takes me 100 minutes )

 

[Flamingo]

So even at three minutes late, the train is still by far your best option?

 

[jon0844]

If it's always 3 minutes late, just leave 3 minutes later to get it!

Or, get a smartphone and do something productive in those 180 seconds you've got. Check some emails, play a game, read the latest news...

 

[feline1]

If it's always 3 minutes late, just leave 3 minutes later to get it!

Or, get a smartphone and do something productive in those 180 seconds you've got. Check some emails, play a game, read the latest news...

Yeah, and tell you what, I'd enjoy doing that so much I'd be happy to PAY EXTRA for my season ticket! Because - how could I have been so dim and not seen this before - Southern are actually DOING ME A FAVOUR by being late, and giving me extra quality "me time". I should totally be paying more for that!!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

So even at three minutes late, the train is still by far your best option?

The best option *would* be an integrated public transport system such as they have in other civilised countries in Europe, where not only would the trains be on time, but there would be a bus stop *at* the station, with readouts of when the next busses were due, and my season ticket could include the cost of the bus.
Instead, no plus-bus ticketing is available, the nearest bus stop is about about 1/4 of a mile away, and its timetable is so poorly integrated to the trains that it actually quicker (and certainly cheaper) for me to walk the 25 mins from the train station to my office.

So I actually enjoy cycling more. But that's not practical all the time. So train it is.

I could "buy a car" too, I guess.