As Northern Rail operated by Serco and Abellio comes to it's end, it seems that most people's opinon of them is that they were largely pretty poor. Not the worst, by any means, but certainly not great either.
I'm interested to know what forum users think Northern could have realistically done to improve the service they offered and have been considered a good TOC?
What do I mean by realistically? Well, for example, most of us would have loved to have seen the pacers replaced, but that was never going to happen in the last franchise. So that's not realistic. I'm thinking more maybe customer service, management, strategy, stock condition etc.
To get started, I'd personally have liked to have seen a branding refresh at some point (I've made my feelings on their livery clear many times!) as some of their stock looked incredibly tired. Furthermore, I think their interior refresh of the Pacers was badly thought out - the high backed seats were uncomfortable and offered no room for those of us who don't have the surname 'Baggins'. I also think their ticket barrier obsession didn't endear them to customers.
Fire away...!
Please can I ask that this does not become an extension of the 'Northern Franchise to Arriva' thread? Many thanks!
I'm interested to know what forum users think Northern could have realistically done to improve the service they offered and have been considered a good TOC?
What do I mean by realistically? Well, for example, most of us would have loved to have seen the pacers replaced, but that was never going to happen in the last franchise. So that's not realistic. I'm thinking more maybe customer service, management, strategy, stock condition etc.
To get started, I'd personally have liked to have seen a branding refresh at some point (I've made my feelings on their livery clear many times!) as some of their stock looked incredibly tired. Furthermore, I think their interior refresh of the Pacers was badly thought out - the high backed seats were uncomfortable and offered no room for those of us who don't have the surname 'Baggins'. I also think their ticket barrier obsession didn't endear them to customers.
Fire away...!
Please can I ask that this does not become an extension of the 'Northern Franchise to Arriva' thread? Many thanks!