Northern cancellations creeping up again?

[londonmidland]

Just as things had finally started to settle down, it seems there has been a steady increase in cancellations again across the North West over the past few weeks, once again.

On Monday the 28th, my train from Preston to Manchester Piccadilly was cancelled at short notice, with no explanation given.

I can only assume this is something which will become more prevalent as we approach the Christmas period?

Having a quick look at earlier departures from Manchester Piccadilly shows three Northern services cancelled due to ‘a short notice change to the timetable’

A screenshot showing train departures from Manchester Piccadilly earlier this morning.

 

[800001]

Just as things had finally started to settle down, it seems there has been a steady increase in cancellations again across the North West over the past few weeks, once again.

On Monday the 28th, my train from Preston to Manchester Piccadilly was cancelled at short notice, with no explanation given.

I can only assume this is something which will become more prevalent as we approach the Christmas period?

Having a quick look at earlier departures from Manchester Piccadilly shows three Northern services cancelled due to ‘a short notice change to the timetable’

View attachment 168260

Back pay has hit staff accounts? Less People wanting to work RDW?

 

[Efini92]

Northern don’t have a RDW agreement with ASLEF. That’s what cripples the services during the week.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Back pay has hit staff accounts? Less People wanting to work RDW?

It's half-term. Pay childcare fees for the privilege of doing extra work for an ungrateful employer, or stay at home. Choices, choices.

 

[800001]

It's half-term. Pay childcare fees for the privilege of doing extra work for an ungrateful employer, or stay at home. Choices, choices.

Didn’t realise was HT, ours was last week

 

[dh57]

It feels like there are more cancellations than running services on the Hope Valley line today. Which is something of an exaggeration but still, Romiley had 3 Manchester trains on the bounce cancelled this morning.

 

[Pnerick81]

Travelled from Preston to skipton via Lancaster on Monday . And back in Wednesday . My intended train was cancelled and the one after was 45 mins late . ‘ brakes stuck on the train ‘. Coming back was ok until I got to Preston where I needed to get to Leyland . 2 trains in a row cancelled . So I ended up getting the bus. It shouldnt be that difficult to do a 5 mile journey

 

[Howardh]

This may be of interest

x.com

x.com

Last night, there were widespread cancellations of
@northernassist
services causing chaos at stations. It can’t go on. Following a special Rail North Committee, I have written to the Chancellor to ask that a pending agreement on rest day working is approved as soon as possible.

 

[cuccir]

It's half-term. Pay childcare fees for the privilege of doing extra work for an ungrateful employer, or stay at home. Choices, choices.

Yeah this will be it. A few places were last week but most of the country is on half term this week. I've noticed a couple of CrossCountry cancellations this week attributed to staff shortages as well. There's a correlation nowadays every year with half term and cancellations.

 

[railnut]

Rest day working is generally voluntary get over it.

 

[mandub]

Northern don’t have a RDW agreement with ASLEF. That’s what cripples the services during the week.

Got one now.....for drivers anyway

 

[Efini92]

Got one now.....for drivers anyway

Yes just seen the circular 1-9 November isn’t going to do that much.

 

[mandub]

Yes just seen the circular 1-9 November isn’t going to do that much

"A temporary agreement will run from 00:01 Friday 1st November until 23:59 Saturday 9th November.
We are attending the EC in London on Tuesday 5th November where we will debate a further extension to the agreement.
The full agreement will be posted once ratified by the EC in due course."

 

[GatwickDepress]

Rest day working is generally voluntary get over it.

What a weirdly hostile post.

 

[Djgr]

What a weirdly hostile post.

Unfortunately there are many completely customer unfocused staff in the rail industry. The real world of 2024 looks aghast.

I think the government are really losing their patience with Northern and unlike the previous 14 years omnishambles are going to kick them where it hurts.

 

[Peterthegreat]

They are absolutely atrocious I'm South Yorkshire. On Tuesday FOUR consecutive stopping trains were cancelled between Sheffield and Doncaster. Last trains are regularly cancelled with no information as to alternatives.

 

[Parham Wood]

Rest day working is generally voluntary get over it.

I disagree with the last part of your statement. There is nothing to get over. Passengers expect a train service that is reliable and runs according to the normal timetable. The issue of staff being unavailable is down to the TOC and government and needs to be sorted once and for all.

 

[father_jack]

Unfortunately there are many completely customer unfocused staff in the rail industry. The real world of 2024 looks aghast.

You mean "unfocussed" by not coming to work on their days off ?

 

[railnut]

The TOC's could try to employing enough trained staff so that Rest Day Working is totally not required. I admit this costs time and money so do what is required and put the time and money into recruitment and training of staff. Something that appears to be sadly lacking in the privatised world of today.

 

[800001]

The TOC's could try to employing enough trained staff so that Rest Day Working is totally not required. I admit this costs time and money so do what is required and put the time and money into recruitment and training of staff. Something that appears to be sadly lacking in the privatised world of today.

In the Dft pulling the purse strings world of today you meant to write I presume?

 

[YorkshireBear]

East side has got markedly worse in last few weeks. Particularly out of Sheffield.

 

[Peterthegreat]

East side has got markedly worse in last few weeks. Particularly out of Sheffield.

Totally agree.

 

[Plethora]

About 50% running in the Calder Valley. That is a manageable service, but the trains are packed.

 

[yorksrob]

East side has got markedly worse in last few weeks. Particularly out of Sheffield.

Agree totally. Things have taken a nosedive, although this week seems a bit better than last (so far).

 

[railnut]

There is no point in the Dft funding recruitment and training as Operator of last resort as it is supposed to be a stop gap while another private operator is sought to run Northern.

 

[Ethano92]

You mean "unfocussed" by not coming to work on their days off ?

No, I can only assume they mean unfocused by such a hostile post in a thread about an abysmal service that passengers are having to put up with. ‘Get over it’ suggesting passengers have no right to expect and demand better.

 

[Confused52]

There is no point in the Dft funding recruitment and training as Operator of last resort as it is supposed to be a stop gap while another private operator is sought to run Northern.

That is being changed in the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill currently going through Parliament which will require the Secretary of State not to enter into a new franchise agreement other than with a public sector company by means of a direct award.

 

[Efini92]

There is no point in the Dft funding recruitment and training as Operator of last resort as it is supposed to be a stop gap while another private operator is sought to run Northern.

There’s no franchises anymore only management contracts, so the money would still come out of the treasury.

 

[JD2168]

Unfortunately this week is half-term kid’s holiday week in South Yorkshire & at time’s getting childcare cover can be very difficult & expensive. These issues could be part of the reason of an increase in cancellations this week.

 

[yorksrob]

Unfortunately this week is half-term kid’s holiday week in South Yorkshire & at time’s getting childcare cover can be very difficult & expensive. These issues could be part of the reason of an increase in cancellations this week.

That's a good point. My office has been practically empty this week.

Last week was pretty dismal for train cancellations as well though.