Merseyrail emergency coronavirus timetable

[Bletchleyite]

I'd actually cut that further to hourly. A 45 minute service is of less utility because it's less memorable.

 

[TheSel]

So that means interworked services on West Kirby - New Brighton (via Liverpool loop), and vice versa.

 

[jamesst]

So that means interworked services on West Kirby - New Brighton (via Liverpool loop), and vice versa.

Yeah the new sunday frequencies are pretty much what the weekday ones will be within a week or so

 

[WatcherZero]

Big cuts to the Wirral Line this Sunday, full timetable at https://www.merseyrail.org/seasonal/covid-19-wirral-line-timetable-changes.aspx but in summary:-



So far, this is only for this Sunday, but I suspect more drastic cuts will be happening soon.

They also said services from Monday will be half hourly again but they expect they will be reduced further during the week.

 

[infobleep]

Bearing in mind the temporary relaxation of MoT rules, could not some similar dispensation be granted for 'out of miles' units?

I like this idea. Don't know if it would work.

 

[M28361M]

As expected - https://www.merseyrail.org/seasonal/covid-19-reduced-service.aspx

Due to the national emergency measures and increasing numbers of station, depot and onboard staff self-isolating caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be further significant changes to Merseyrail services from Thursday 2 April 2020.

• Trains will now only operate between the hours of 07:00 and 19:00 Monday to Saturday, with services every 30 minutes across all lines.
• Sunday services will operate between the hours of 08:00 and 19:00

Sunday service is hourly on all lines except West Kirby/New Brighton, which retains that awkward 45-min frequency. Ellesmere Port a self-contained shuttle as it was last week. Interestingly, on Sundays the Hunts Cross line is joined to the Ormskirk service rather than Southport.

I think this will affect staff at the Countess of Chester and Aintree hospitals quite badly - I believe the evening staff shift change is around 8pm.

 

[Bletchleyite]

As expected - https://www.merseyrail.org/seasonal/covid-19-reduced-service.aspx

Sunday service is hourly on all lines except West Kirby/New Brighton, which retains that awkward 45-min frequency. Ellesmere Port a self-contained shuttle as it was last week. Interestingly, on Sundays the Hunts Cross line is joined to the Ormskirk service rather than Southport.

I think this will affect staff at the Countess of Chester and Aintree hospitals quite badly - I believe the evening staff shift change is around 8pm.

Wouldn't it make more sense to look at things like that and possibly operate a split shift with a period of no service in the middle of the day? Or to reduce to hourly?

 

[TheSel]

As expected - https://www.merseyrail.org/seasonal/covid-19-reduced-service.aspx

Sunday service is hourly on all lines except West Kirby/New Brighton, which retains that awkward 45-min frequency. Ellesmere Port a self-contained shuttle as it was last week. Interestingly, on Sundays the Hunts Cross line is joined to the Ormskirk service rather than Southport.

I think this will affect staff at the Countess of Chester and Aintree hospitals quite badly - I believe the evening staff shift change is around 8pm.

I note the Freudian Slip in the Ormskirk - Hunts Cross timetable which shows trains calling at "Liverpoo Central" at xx44 past each hour. Now, we all know it's a **** station, but ...

 

[ATW Alex 101]

Be fair - Shotton still has a Wetherspoon's. The Ellesmere Port one closed, although they now have one in the posh part, near Overpool Station instead. Not that it matters - they're both shut 'for the duration' [he says, nicely bringing the matter back on topic!]

Posh part??????

 

[M28361M]

A note has been added to the emergency timetable page:

We have been listening to the concerns of key workers across the region and are currently looking at making some revisions to the amended timetable to accommodate essential travel. An announcement will be made later today.

On Twitter last night they were inviting people to send a private message with their journey details, to pass on to the planning team.

 

[Class83]

Are Merseyrail staff particularly likely to be infected/self-isolating as they've already dropped the frequency quite significantly on most of the routes to an extent that they can't need much more than half their usual staff levels? Especially as given travel restrictions, those who currently have annual leave booked are probably able to work as it's not like they're going anywhere, even in the UK.

 

[nedchester]

A few extra now running in the evening

https://www.merseyrail.org/seasonal/covid-19-reduced-service.aspx

 

[M28361M]

Kirkby, Southport, Chester and West Kirby lines get some additional evening services (not on Sundays though).

 

[Bow Fell]

Are Merseyrail staff particularly likely to be infected/self-isolating as they've already dropped the frequency quite significantly on most of the routes to an extent that they can't need much more than half their usual staff levels? Especially as given travel restrictions, those who currently have annual leave booked are probably able to work as it's not like they're going anywhere, even in the UK.

As likely as anyone else to get it, unless you want names and nature of illness of those who are off sick?

Like any other TOC at the moment, they are looking at protecting the workforce that are currently in work and running a service that will definitely run, with spare staff on call ready to come in at short notice. rather than have an optimistic full timetable with unpredictable cancellations.

 

[Bletchleyite]

As likely as anyone else to get it, unless you want names and nature of illness of those who are off sick?

Like any other TOC at the moment, they are looking at protecting the workforce that are currently in work and running a service that will definitely run, with spare staff on call ready to come in at short notice. rather than have an optimistic full timetable with unpredictable cancellations.

There are one or two TOCs who could learn from that but seemingly have not done so even in the current circumstances when it appears they have free rein to run what they want.

 

[Bow Fell]

It’s not just traincrew, if this gets any worse think of the control/signalling staff in close confines in the ROC’s, that will decimate the service, if we lose them in their droves, which is also the reason behind some TT changes so the signalling/controller workforce can be protected by reducing amount in work (you are in close confines in some controls for up to 12 hours a day with each other in some places) and have them sat at home (in uniform for all intents and purposes) ready to come in at the drop of a hat so they don’t lose the service because of sickness.

 

[jamesst]

It’s not just traincrew, if this gets any worse think of the control/signalling staff in close confines in the ROC’s, that will decimate the service, if we lose them in their droves, which is also the reason behind some TT changes so the signalling/controller workforce can be protected by reducing amount in work (you are in close confines in some controls for up to 12 hours a day with each other in some places) and have them sat at home (in uniform for all intents and purposes) ready to come in at the drop of a hat so they don’t lose the service because of sickness.

In addition to this Stadler are really struggling to staff Birkenhead North maintenance depot at the moment meaning maintenance isnt getting done on the units which in turn is leading to a drop in unit availability. Depending on how long this horrible situation lasts there could be a serious impact on units available for service which Is another reason for timetable reductions.

 

[Skie]

Are Merseyrail staff particularly likely to be infected

Signallers, electrical control and TOC control are housed together (with a bit of distance between workstations). Get an infection in Sandhills control and they would potentially have to close it for a deep clean. There would definitely be no trains then, and I’m not sure you could go in with a fogger either so would require a more manual wipe down.

 

[Bow Fell]

In addition to this Stadler are really struggling to staff Birkenhead North maintenance depot at the moment meaning maintenance isnt getting done on the units which in turn is leading to a drop in unit availability. Depending on how long this horrible situation lasts there could be a serious impact on units available for service which Is another reason for timetable reductions.

Definitely, one of the reasons for the first set of reductions.

An all day 6 car service was eating through the exam miles in no time, you’d have had several units presented at one time out of miles, with not enough exams to be done.

Now, with a reduced 3/6 car service the units can be rotated to preserve and balance out the mileage. Especially with most services finishing at 1900, they are doing between 100-200 less miles.

 

[MR-507508]

Definitely, one of the reasons for the first set of reductions.

An all day 6 car service was eating through the exam miles in no time, you’d have had several units presented at one time out of miles, with not enough exams to be done.

Now, with a reduced 3/6 car service the units can be rotated to preserve and balance out the mileage. Especially with most services finishing at 1900, they are doing between 100-200 less miles.

Are the Southport-Hunts Cross line still all formed of 6 cars?
The other line formed of 6 cars over the past few days/weeks is the Ellesmere Port line-are 6 cars really needed on this line, if all Chester line trains are formed of 3 cars?
Could they not have saved a few by not running 6 cars on the Ellesmere Port line.
Is the Ellesmere Port line still being formed of 6 cars from today, with the new timetable introduced?

 

[Mojo]

If the most important people supposed to be travelling are key workers, then how does axing the service at the majority of shift changeover times for various industries, including the handover times in many NHS roles, actually help?

 

[jamesst]

Are the Southport-Hunts Cross line still all formed of 6 cars?
The other line formed of 6 cars over the past few days/weeks is the Ellesmere Port line-are 6 cars really needed on this line, if all Chester line trains are formed of 3 cars?
Could they not have saved a few by not running 6 cars on the Ellesmere Port line.
Is the Ellesmere Port line still being formed of 6 cars from today, with the new timetable introduced?

I dont think any lines need 6 cars now to be honest, I'd he surprised if theres anything more than 3s in a week!

 

[Class83]

Signallers, electrical control and TOC control are housed together (with a bit of distance between workstations). Get an infection in Sandhills control and they would potentially have to close it for a deep clean. There would definitely be no trains then, and I’m not sure you could go in with a fogger either so would require a more manual wipe down.

Ok that possibly makes more sense, in that there are a small number of people in the control centre where one being off is a fairly high percentage of the total.

Currently the NHS seems to be running at about 10-15% absence rates, it just seemed odd that Merseyrail drivers were more than twice as likely as NHS staff to be ill/self-isolating.

 

[jamesst]

Ok that possibly makes more sense, in that there are a small number of people in the control centre where one being off is a fairly high percentage of the total.

Currently the NHS seems to be running at about 10-15% absence rates, it just seemed odd that Merseyrail drivers were more than twice as likely as NHS staff to be ill/self-isolating.

A bit odd you've picked up on just drivers there. Whilst a fair few are indeed self isolating the current numbers available could indeed continue to run the previous reduced timetable.
However throw in a reduced number of guards available along with a very reduced number of maintenance staff and it then becomes a very good idea to reduce services to current levels.
This means the current timetable should be able to function for a longer period of time instead of the service being potentially run into the ground.

 

[M28361M]

Arrangements have been made for rail tickets to be accepted on bus services in the Liverpool City Region after 1900 each evening.

From Saturday 4 April, valid Merseyrail tickets will be accepted on Liverpool City Region bus services from 7pm.

The collaborative move is designed to help make it easier and provide more options for those people, particularly rail users, who do need to travel on public transport services later in the evening.

If customers wish to plan for multi modal travel then appropriate multi modal tickets are available for example Trio or Saveaway.

Transport operators and providers are also reminding people to adhere to the government guidance that all non-essential travel should be avoided, and social distancing practices should be maintained at all times. Suitable arrangements have been made with transport services to allow this.

Would probably be better if they'd included services before 0700 as well, to help early starters who are similarly without trains. Also no mention of people travelling to Chester, Ellesmere Port or Ormskirk, which are outside the boundary of the city region.

 

[MR-507508]

Any ideas on how the current reduced timetable may change, once lockdown restrictions have been eased and people start to return to work/venture further afield?

 

[jamesst]

Any ideas on how the current reduced timetable may change, once lockdown restrictions have been eased and people start to return to work/venture further afield?

To start with pretty much Sunday frequencies with weekday start/finish times I imagine then slowly build it up as it goes along.

 

[MR-507508]

To start with pretty much Sunday frequencies with weekday start/finish times I imagine then slowly build it up as it goes along.

And I guess, utilise as many 6 cars as possible, to help with the social distancing. Will be interesting to see how the social distancing restrictions maybe implemented on the trains?

 

[nedchester]

Any ideas on how the current reduced timetable may change, once lockdown restrictions have been eased and people start to return to work/venture further afield?

18/5/20 - all operators have been asked by the DfT to operate a near Saturday timetable

 

[TheSel]

To start with pretty much Sunday frequencies with weekday start/finish times I imagine then slowly build it up as it goes along.

18/5/20 - all operators have been asked by the DfT to operate a near Saturday timetable

Well that's fair enough. Sunday is "near Saturday".