No, although I think there was a suggestion at one stage that some Northern Connect services would have it. Clearly nothing has come of that.Is first class available on any of the Northern fleet that now normally run in service?
No, although I think there was a suggestion at one stage that some Northern Connect services would have it. Clearly nothing has come of that.Is first class available on any of the Northern fleet that now normally run in service?
Is first class available on any of the Northern fleet that now normally run in service?
Bear in mind some of the 170s also have 2+1 at certain ends from the old first class section.No, Northern do not have any First Class. The 2+1 seats are there on 769s at the vehicle end but are declassified.
It’s only 6 170’s (453 - 458) out of 16 so would cause problems if it was to be advertised and the odds are stacked that one of the 10 SC only units turned up.Bear in mind some of the 170s also have 2+1 at certain ends from the old first class section.
Northern could make that First Class if they want to.
How do the staff at BPN react to the Avanti service as they usually board early, that means they have to leave one of their doors open.
No, Northern have no first class services at all.Is first class available on any of the Northern fleet that now normally run in service?
Not been a regular coach to Manchester for many a yearThere are already coaches between lots of places and Blackpool including a reasonably frequent service to Manchester. Relevantly, the coach station is on (part of) the Blackpool Central site, and the toilets for it used to be (but aren't any more) the old station ones.
Not been a regular coach to Manchester for many a year
I wouldn't personally consider 5 coaches a day "regular" (although I've no idea what the service was like pre-Covid). Certainly not in comparison to the 30-odd direct rail services each weekday.The NatEx website begs to differ.
There was a Stagecoach Express years ago which is no longer around, of course.
Thank you! There's definitely something inherently funny about the everyday farce of it all, bewildering though it is.What a brilliant post! Well composed, with a great balance between perceived truth, reality and humour. If there was such a thing, I'd award you "Post of the Day".
5 a day is pretty typical for many coach services isn't it?I wouldn't personally consider 5 coaches a day "regular" (although I've no idea what the service was like pre-Covid). Certainly not in comparison to the 30-odd direct rail services each weekday.
It's very good for a lot of services!5 a day is pretty typical for many coach services isn't it?
Has the matter of the recent change of status at Northern ever had the above matter on their agenda as something to address?Staff attitude - It seems that Blackpool is notorious for staff attitude , if that is the case and interrogation the complaints data points to a culture among staff then this should be acted upon by the TOC .
There are several very helpful staff on the barriers at Blackpool North but at busy times some of them do get annoyed by the harassment dished out by those who don’t want to show their tickets on arrival. I have been actively encouraged by one staff member, who I hadn’t previously met, to go onto the platform without a ticket to photograph 37407 on one of its visits. One particular individual always greets me, often with a handshake, whenever I travel.It is well-publicised on the social media channels that there is, and has been for many years and ongoing problem at Blackpool North.
One mustn't tarnish everybody with the same brush, but there is obviously a problem with the workings of the station, and heaven forbid trying to take a picture of a train on the platform.
The X61 which went from manchester chorlton street coach station to blackpool via the motorway and preston, stopped after the manchester to blackpool line was electrified.The NatEx website begs to differ.
There was a Stagecoach Express years ago which is no longer around, of course.
I remember a thread about "hopeful" similar Manchester to Blackpool service coach provision on the Buses and Coaches forum on this website with the thread title of "Classic Bus Nortb West...Red Rocket Express" if anyone remembers it. The thread ran from 24th September 2013 to 18th December 2017 with 251 postings made, before it was locked.The X61 which went from manchester chorlton street coach station to blackpool via the motorway and preston, stopped after the manchester to blackpool line was electrified.
Some guy called Mick Elliott, isn't it? If that is still the case, believe he's been in post since at least 2017.Is there a station manager ? If so then he/she should surely step in and sort the problems.
Mick Elliott, Northern’s station manager at Blackpool North, said: “I’m thrilled that new trains will soon be operating on three major routes to and from Blackpool North.
The problem certainly existed when I was in the area and I moved away in 1985!Some guy called Mick Elliott, isn't it? If that is still the case, believe he's been in post since at least 2017.
Name checked here...
Northern’s new train set to light up Blackpool
*Customers invited to experience state-of-the-art trains*media.northernrailway.co.uk
Best of luck - I've seen plenty of people roll into management jobs in various industries all guns blazing to sort out workplaces with perceived cultural problems. I think all bar one or two have been almost entirely 100% unsuccessful and the remainder far from 100% successful.In which case Mr Mick Elliott needs to use all his charismatic leadership qualities and get the problem sorted - tomorrow. Otherwise give the job to me - i'll do it for a month or two free of charge
It is well-publicised on the social media channels that there is, and has been for many years and ongoing problem at Blackpool North.
One mustn't tarnish everybody with the same brush, but there is obviously a problem with the workings of the station, and heaven forbid trying to take a picture of a train on the platform.
Best of luck - I've seen plenty of people roll into management jobs in various industries all guns blazing to sort out workplaces with perceived cultural problems. I think all bar one or two have been almost entirely 100% unsuccessful and the remainder far from 100% successful.
If it's been like it for decades then you'll never sort it in a month or two.
All those issues would seem to apply equally to Manchester Airport station, which is a busier terminal, yet it manages just fine with open platforms.Keeping passengers back from trains until staff let them board - As long as the staff managing this operation are on the ball and courteous then this shouldn't really be a problem especially when there is an inside area to wait Vs the largely uncovered platforms. Some of the trains at Blackpool as everywhere else have short turnaround times take York for example they arrive at XX:07 and depart again at XX:21 . On arrival with a short turnaround like that it's likely the platform would have majority of the passengers for departure waiting . Makes more sense to keep passengers from boarding straight away so cleaners can get on and do their thing. Last time I was there Blackpool also had mobile CET equipment again not something you want to be navigating round passengers and their luggage . Another missed opportunity at Blackpool is the possibility of boarding passengers requiring assistance first especially those in wheelchairs , getting them on the train before people have chance to fill the wheelchair space with luggage , buggies or bikes .
I don't think that's a meaningful comparison . The operation at the airport is somewhat difference and I wonder what proportion of passengers are just going to picadilly so jump on the first available service the longest wait for which in the day should be about 18 minutes .All those issues would seem to apply equally to Manchester Airport station, which is a busier terminal, yet it manages just fine with open platforms.
What I did see, was after arriving at 1520hrs on Monday 7th March the concourse was largely empty. However there was one animated person bellowing loudly and generally behaving in a unsocial manner. His voice rebounded throught the station concourse and this person seemed to have been on the Irn Bru.
This is very British . People love a good moan, but tend to be fonder of the grievance than of the remedy.What I do not get about this thread is that a lot of people are mentioning their experiences but has anyone here actually complained and taken it all the way to their MP and to the top of the railway management? If I was held and prevented from catching my train or made to run /rush for it I would take my complaint to the highest level. Fortunately I do not use the station.