Inconsistency: Some operators running all trains, others abandoning services at 9pm

[185]

Greetings.

Just a quick observation with the current 'slowly returning to normal' timetable. It seems some operators within the last week have returned to a near 90-100% timetable, operating trains up to the ordinary end of service, whilst others see fit to not run any trains after 2130hrs. One operator stated "We only have to meet the temporary service level currently specified by the DfT".

Any idea when it will become mandatory for TOCs to run 100% of pre-Covid services or provide a bus, as per TSR/franchise?

 

[221129]

Any idea when it will become mandatory for TOCs to run 100% of pre-Covid services or provide a bus, as per TSR/franchise?

When the DfT tell them to.

 

[185]

When the DfT tell them to.

Clearly. But what isn't clear is the inconsistency - have some franchises taken it upon themselves to run a full service whilst others are running the bare minimum?

Recently, noticed some operators are becoming more frequently left with passengers from other firms who have simply gone home - the following week's trains showing as running (on NRE) up to the Friday before, then deleted on the Saturday morning.

 

[221129]

Clearly. But what isn't clear is the inconsistency - have some franchises taken it upon themselves to run a full service whilst others are running the bare minimum?

Depends on the franchises. They all have different agreements with the DfT.

 

[221129]

The DfT aren't going to want to be paying for largely fresh air being carted round at the moment.

 

[185]

The DfT aren't going to want to be paying for largely fresh air being carted round at the moment.

You only have to look at trains between 1100-1400 to see swathes of empty trains - however increasing complaints are coming from key workers who work late into the evening, and whilst most companies out of one particular station are running a full service, one operator just disappears after 9pm - it's hard to explain (professionally) to them why.

 

[mmh]

Clearly. But what isn't clear is the inconsistency - have some franchises taken it upon themselves to run a full service whilst others are running the bare minimum?

No, all the changes will be after consultation from the DFT / TFW / TS. The odd cancellation / alteration for staffing / stock reasons aside.

 

[LittleAH]

Greetings.

Just a quick observation with the current 'slowly returning to normal' timetable. It seems some operators within the last week have returned to a near 90-100% timetable, operating trains up to the ordinary end of service, whilst others see fit to not run any trains after 2130hrs. One operator stated "We only have to meet the temporary service level currently specified by the DfT".

Any idea when it will become mandatory for TOCs to run 100% of pre-Covid services or provide a bus, as per TSR/franchise?

All franchised TOC's have an EMA agreement with the DfT, they are requesting the next service increase to start next month, as they also requested the previous service uplift.

There could be many reasons why certain services end at a certain time - ultimately, it's down to the DfT until the EMA's run out. However, I suspect these will carry over into 2021.

 

[Mojo]

You only have to look at trains between 1100-1400 to see swathes of empty trains - however increasing complaints are coming from key workers who work late into the evening, and whilst most companies out of one particular station are running a full service, one operator just disappears after 9pm - it's hard to explain (professionally) to them why.

Agreed. If the services were about moving key workers then they would keep going up to midnight; and not as many would operate during the day.

In London services tended to have kept running to beyond midnight however, so I’m not sure where the issues are.

 

[185]

In London services tended to have kept running to beyond midnight however, so I’m not sure where the issues are.

It's Northern Rail (West) - they've added a few later services last week (possibly after pressure from the two mayors) but only moving end of service from 2100 to 2200, still a 2-3 hour shortfall on a normal timetable. TfW are also missing a number of late trains between major cities, but seemingly running trains stopping at Wem picking up the odd sleepwalking goat beyond midnight.

 

[Horizon22]

You only have to look at trains between 1100-1400 to see swathes of empty trains - however increasing complaints are coming from key workers who work late into the evening, and whilst most companies out of one particular station are running a full service, one operator just disappears after 9pm - it's hard to explain (professionally) to them why.

I know lots of stations who are specifically looking out for key workers now and making contingency arrangements (getting a taxi) and feeding back to their train planning teams. TOCs are looking at loadings and resourcing requirements approx. every 3 weeks.

 

[infobleep]

The DfT aren't going to want to be paying for largely fresh air being carted round at the moment.

If that is the case, why are some TOCs running a higher number of services? Are they carting around too much fresh air to often?

 

[Trainfan2019]

Certainly a lot of fresh air on the trains I've seen over the past 2 weeks during morning and evening peak time at Crewe.

 

[Jamiescott1]

I am currently on a chiltern train which is listed as in the top 5 busiest chiltern trains of the day (during the covid-19 timetable) and theres 8 people in my carriage (a 4 carriage train)

 

[PHILIPE]

TFW usually update the summary of their alterations late on the Tuesday - the day after which they take effect

 

[yorksrob]

It will be interesting to know when Northern, for example, are planning to resume something like a workable timetable.

My local line, the Hallam has an hourly service throughout the day, which is generally useful for whatever purpose.

The 'essential workers' timetable on routes such as the Little North Western and Copy Pit are so sparse as to be of limited use even to workers.

Does anyone know when timetables will be getting back to some semblance of normality ?

 

[route101]

It will be interesting to know when Northern, for example, are planning to resume something like a workable timetable.

My local line, the Hallam has an hourly service throughout the day, which is generally useful for whatever purpose.

The 'essential workers' timetable on routes such as the Little North Western and Copy Pit are so sparse as to be of limited use even to workers.

Does anyone know when timetables will be getting back to some semblance of normality ?

Even at hourly is awkward for shifts , unless you agree to start or finish earlier

 

[yorksrob]

Even at hourly is awkward for shifts , unless you agree to start or finish earlier

This is true. I guess I'm used to hourly as that's what my stop gets to Leeds most of the day.