Ongoing ScotRail disruption - Day to day discussion and updates.

[Blindtraveler]

I would hope that where resource becomes available in future they are able to make a few minor tweaks here and there even to the met 22 to time table. Reducing the E and G frequency was quite possibly the silliest idea anyone's had for a long time and the longer it goes on the more they will struggle to justify it on reduced usage and if there should be a few extra drivers here and there are either through the recruitment scheme or or simply a few people wanting a bit of holiday money that they can ramp this back up even in the peaks and maybe for a few hours on Saturdays which are are absolutely crazy these days

 

[duffers2324]

Thanks for the reply and the clarification on this @Ex-controller that is what i assumed would be the case.

 

[EMU303]

Full ScotRail timetable to return by Edinburgh festivals

Several big events in Scotland have been impacted by disruption to the timetable over a pay dispute.

www.bbc.co.uk

David Simpson, ScotRail's service delivery director, said a further announcement would be made this week.
Crucially, he said the timetable's restoration depended on whether drivers were willing to work overtime and on days off.
"We think they will. We'll work closely with Aslef the trade union to facilitate that process.
"Secondly there's a number of industry logistics we have to go through to re-plan the timetable. Thirdly we want to make sure Covid absence doesn't affect us too much and that we can work around that.
"We'll be in a position to confirm the increased timetable later this week."

 

[geoffk]

Full ScotRail timetable to return by Edinburgh festivals

Several big events in Scotland have been impacted by disruption to the timetable over a pay dispute.

www.bbc.co.uk

David Simpson, ScotRail's service delivery director, said a further announcement would be made this week.
Crucially, he said the timetable's restoration depended on whether drivers were willing to work overtime and on days off.
"We think they will. We'll work closely with Aslef the trade union to facilitate that process.
"Secondly there's a number of industry logistics we have to go through to re-plan the timetable. Thirdly we want to make sure Covid absence doesn't affect us too much and that we can work around that.
"We'll be in a position to confirm the increased timetable later this week."

That's exactly it, isn't it. They are dependent on overtime and rest-day working just to run the timetable. And not just Scotrail. This has been going on for years on the railway but who is to blame? Train companies for not employing enough staff, the DfT for accepting low (unrealistic) franchise bids or is it just "we've always done it like this and can't possibly change anything".

 

[numtot12345]

So when the headline says 'Full' Timetable, it is therefore referring to the May 2022 timetables on the ScotRail website (here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/timetables)? So based on that, certainly for the Cathcart Circle lines, that's the timetable which has the hourly service from 7.30pm onwards, and has early morning services too on Weekdays.

Going back to at least that will be much better than what we've had these past 2 months, where it was largely possible to get to work early on the train, or stay later in town after work without having to wait till 11.05pm for train, or take a bus home. (I don't have an issue taking the bus, just find getting return train into town and back using return ticket much more convenient when it's running, compared to the bus).

Furthermore, given Edinburgh Festivals begin ~August(?) that gives them 2 weeks to ramp up services. Hopefully Covid absences don't have too much of an impact on Driver availability, but think that's just something we'll have to live with for another while.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Full ScotRail timetable to return by Edinburgh festivals

Several big events in Scotland have been impacted by disruption to the timetable over a pay dispute.

www.bbc.co.uk

David Simpson, ScotRail's service delivery director, said a further announcement would be made this week.
Crucially, he said the timetable's restoration depended on whether drivers were willing to work overtime and on days off.
"We think they will. We'll work closely with Aslef the trade union to facilitate that process.
"Secondly there's a number of industry logistics we have to go through to re-plan the timetable. Thirdly we want to make sure Covid absence doesn't affect us too much and that we can work around that.
"We'll be in a position to confirm the increased timetable later this week."

So what does he mean by

Secondly there's a number of industry logistics we have to go through to re-plan the timetable

What needs replaning the base timetable is in the systems for May 22!!

 

[Bald Rick]

What needs replaning the base timetable is in the systems for May 22!!

Replanning rosters.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Replanning rosters.

fair enough but language could be a bit more helpful

 

[Bald Rick]

fair enough but language could be a bit more helpful

also persuading drivers to work rest days on what promises to be lovely weather in scotland early next week!

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

also persuading drivers to work rest days on what promises to be lovely weather in scotland early next week!

im surprised they want to risk timetable reliability on overtime and RDW except where absolutely necessary also they will ample data now on how much they are saving on these payments vs loss of revenue to decide what routes to target.

 

[Bald Rick]

im surprised they want to risk timetable reliability on overtime and RDW except where absolutely necessary also they will ample data now on how much they are saving on these payments vs loss of revenue to decide what routes to target.

the timetable in existence is the one with no RDW / OT, but no doubt ScR are under extreme pressure to restore normal service in response to political commitments.

 

[col197]

im surprised they want to risk timetable reliability on overtime and RDW except where absolutely necessary also they will ample data now on how much they are saving on these payments vs loss of revenue to decide what routes to target.

I think its absolutely necessary that they run trains so people can get to and from work and actually have social lives which benefit the economy and don’t drive away tourists in their droves.

 

[Deltic1961]

I see LNER are providing extra services to Leuchars for the open. Well done. Scotrail don't seem to care about tourists, revenue or anything else.

 

[Bald Rick]

I see LNER are providing extra services to Leuchars for the open. Well done. Scotrail don't seem to care about tourists, revenue or anything else it seems.

or Perhaps they just don’t have the staff willing to work any extra services?

 

[PaulMc7]

or Perhaps they just don’t have the staff willing to work any extra services?

Going by the Twitter replies they get and some of the stuff on here this common sense will never catch on. It's tragic how naive a lot of people have been. It's clear some thought the timetable would be sorted the second the deal was agreed.

 

[col197]

Going by the Twitter replies they get and some of the stuff on here this common sense will never catch on. It's tragic how naive a lot of people have been. It's clear some thought the timetable would be sorted the second the deal was agreed.

Well if they were a competent company they would’ve had a plan in place for both eventualities. But as some one stated above they don’t seem to care about anything.

 

[PaulMc7]

Well if they were a competent company they would’ve had a plan in place for both eventualities. But as some one stated above they don’t seem to care about anything.

They don't know how many drivers will work their rest days. It's nowhere near as simple as "both eventualities." In reality there are a lot more than just 2 not to mention Covid cases being extremely high so that's a major factor.

 

[col197]

They don't know how many drivers will work their rest days. It's nowhere near as simple as "both eventualities." In reality there are a lot more than just 2 not to mention Covid cases being extremely high so that's a major factor.

I’m pretty sure the majority of companies make plans on a daily basis to ensure their business runs as much as possible through Covid absences. This includes staff who are only licensed to operate specialized equipment.

 

[PaulMc7]

I’m pretty sure the majority of companies make plans on a daily basis to ensure their business runs as much as possible through Covid absences. This includes staff who are only licensed to operate specialized equipment.

You can make as many plans as you want but with covid being how it is it doesn't mean you'll be able to use any of those plans.

 

[XAM2175]

Well if they were a competent company they would’ve had a plan in place for both eventualities. But as some one stated above they don’t seem to care about anything.

I’m pretty sure the majority of companies make plans on a daily basis to ensure their business runs as much as possible through Covid absences. This includes staff who are only licensed to operate specialized equipment.

The emergency timetable is the contingency plan

 

[Bald Rick]

I’m pretty sure the majority of companies make plans on a daily basis to ensure their business runs as much as possible through Covid absences. This includes staff who are only licensed to operate specialized equipment.

Indeed they do. And those plans include reducing the level of supply available to customers in the event that they cannot provide sufficient staff for a full service. See also British Airways, EasyJet, the road haulage industry, the hospitality industry, etc.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Indeed they do. And those plans include reducing the level of supply available to customers in the event that they cannot provide sufficient staff for a full service. See also British Airways, EasyJet, the road haulage industry, the hospitality industry, etc.

Airports are inconsistent with Stansted delivering the schedule it agreed with airlines with none of the issues that are inflicting Gatwick and Heathrow. Maybe because its owned by Manchester Airport Group or to be exact Manchester City Council.

Anyhow to be fair to the railway operators at least they've been sensible in quickly matching timetables to available resources.

 

[GordonT]

Anyhow to be fair to the railway operators at least they've been sensible in quickly matching timetables to available resources.

That's true. Also railway staff have holiday entitlement like most working people which has to be factored into the mix too.
Even in "normal" years pre-Covid, ad-hoc cancellations, sometimes last minute ones, were a common feature in the main holiday season especially at weekends.

 

[Deltic1961]

That's true. Also railway staff have holiday entitlement like most working people which has to be factored into the mix too.
Even in "normal" years pre-Covid, ad-hoc cancellations, sometimes last minute ones, were a common feature in the main holiday season especially at weekends.

Customers are paying extortionate fares but companies run everything to the bone. Modern Britain for you.

 

[GordonT]

Customers are paying extortionate fares but companies run everything to the bone. Modern Britain for you.

Yes although it's a great many years now since the expression "sweating the assets" was first coined.

 

[EMU303]

Timetables

Departure times. Arrivals. Calling points. Everything you need.

www.scotrail.co.uk

We’re pleased to be able to reintroduce our normal timetable from Wednesday, 20 July.

 

[Deltic1961]

"normal" but not pre-covid just to clarify.

 

[Scotrail314209]

Currently at Queen Street, the fact there’s only 4 coaches on the 12:21 Oban & Mallaig is a joke. The Fort William portion has hardly any seats left, can’t observe the Oban though.

Shouldnt this really be a 6 car service?

 

[hexagon789]

Currently at Queen Street, the fact there’s only 4 coaches on the 12:21 Oban & Mallaig is a joke. The Fort William portion has hardly any seats left, can’t observe the Oban though.

Shouldnt this really be a 6 car service?

It always used to be. 2 Oban/4 Mallaig

 

[Scotrail314209]

It always used to be. 2 Oban/4 Mallaig

Hopefully by the 20th, they reinstate it to it's full length.

I think it may have been standing room only as some passengers walked the length of the train from the outside to try and find seats, but to no avail.