Rail services to be increased on May 18th

[Huntergreed]

From the BBC this morning:

Coronavirus: Rail services to be increased as travel restrictions ease

Train operators and the government are planning to increase rail services from mid-May onwards.

www.bbc.co.uk

There are plans to increase train services from Monday 18 May across Britain, in preparation for the eventual easing of travel restrictions.

Does this mean that services will definitely be increased on 18th May or is this just mere media speculation and is this the right or wrong time to start taking the first steps towards a full timetable?

 

[bramling]

From the BBC this morning:



Does this mean that services will definitely be increased on 18th May or is this just mere media speculation and is this the right or wrong time to start taking the first steps towards a full timetable?

There is definitely stuff going on behind the scenes towards this end, however the following points should be borne in mind:

1) it’s an aspiration, and there are operational challenges to overcome in order to achieve a full service - not least the large number of staff shielding

2) any restoration of service will be countered by potential capacity lost to social distancing

3) some of the loss mentioned in (2) *may* be recovered by making masks compulsory

So bearing in mind the above yes it should be viewed as the start of recovery, but I wouldn’t get too excited yet, it’s likely to be very much the start of a long process.

 

[Aictos]

From the BBC this morning:



Does this mean that services will definitely be increased on 18th May or is this just mere media speculation and is this the right or wrong time to start taking the first steps towards a full timetable?

I've heard unofficially that Thameslink will be increasing the service from a Sunday service to a Saturday service however as the 18th is around the time of the new timetable, I think it's fair to say a eventual ramp up of the new timetable is what TOCs should do.

I think running the Saturday timetable but with Monday to Friday peaks added would be a good start then end up with the full service over time.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The BBC item suggests increased services will be aimed more at commuters around the major cities than at long-distance services.
18 May is the start of the new base NR timetable anyway, so there would have been some changes irrespective of increased frequency.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52584983

Resources are likely to be focused on urban commuter lines, rather than long distance intercity routes.

 

[The Planner]

Plenty going on to facilitate this.

 

[Aictos]

Plenty going on to facilitate this.

As you would have a better idea of what to expect, what do you expect the TOCs to do?

Eg there's talk of stepping up the service but any idea on how this be best done?

 

[The Planner]

As you would have a better idea of what to expect, what do you expect the TOCs to do?

Eg there's talk of stepping up the service but any idea on how this be best done?

Can't answer for the TOCs but the original statement from the unions that Dominic Raab denied knowledge of wasn't wrong.

 

[David M]

Lockdown will not be eased in England on Monday. It will be extended for a further 3 weeks. First week in June or Tuesday 27 May might see some relaxation. Afaik, no TOC is operating a Sunday service, they are all operating a flexible reduced service where they react to passenger numbers.

 

[johntea]

The Harrogate line must be around 70% already, they wisely improved the timetable once they worked out many key workers would be wanting to get to and from the hospital there (and to a lesser extent now Nightingale hospital)

I wonder how long it will be however before companies such as LNER decide to reintroduce London Kings Cross - Harrogate, considering the main attraction for that service would be people visiting events and conferences in Harrogate for which there probably won't be any for quite a while still! (Not quite sure how long the government plan to keep conference centres as Nightingale hospitals, then of course there is a huge task of ripping the hospital element back out and turning them back into conference centres!)

 

[bramling]

Lockdown will not be eased in England on Monday. It will be extended for a further 3 weeks. First week in June or Tuesday 27 May might see some relaxation. Afaik, no TOC is operating a Sunday service, they are all operating a flexible reduced service where they react to passenger numbers.

Depends. GTR is running what is a Sunday base service (in terms of train times and unit diagrams) but with a few extra services mainly in the early morning. The Sunday base service has led to oddities like extra services or longer formations at times to suit the normal Sunday “shopping” flows, yet shorter trains in the early morning heading out of London.

By contrast LU is running a completely make-up-as-you-go service, although slightly less made up on some lines than others.

 

[Cardiff123]

Lockdown will not be eased in England on Monday. It will be extended for a further 3 weeks. First week in June or Tuesday 27 May might see some relaxation. Afaik, no TOC is operating a Sunday service, they are all operating a flexible reduced service where they react to passenger numbers.

Lockdown was officially extended in Scotland yesterday for a further 3 weeks, and the same happened for at least another 3 weeks today in Wales. If the same happens in England on Sunday, which is highly likely, why will there be a need to increase services from 18th May? There won't be.
Even if services are increased in England, I can't see it happening in Scotland or Wales.

 

[bramling]

Lockdown was officially extended in Scotland yesterday for a further 3 weeks, and the same happened for at least another 3 weeks today in Wales. If the same happens in England on Sunday, which is highly likely, why will there be a need to increase services from 18th May? There won't be.
Even if services are increased in England, I can't see it happening in Scotland or Wales.

There may be a slight value in doing it as a proving exercise. Ultimately the big fixed costs are already being paid in terms of staff costs, a few extra unit miles (already effectively budgeted for) won’t really hurt.

 

[Aictos]

Depends. GTR is running what is a Sunday base service (in terms of train times and unit diagrams) but with a few extra services mainly in the early morning. The Sunday base service has led to oddities like extra services or longer formations at times to suit the normal Sunday “shopping” flows, yet shorter trains in the early morning heading out of London.

By contrast LU is running a completely make-up-as-you-go service, although slightly less made up on some lines than others.

Indeed, one service was diagrammed to run Bedford, Luton then all stops to St Pancras but it's been amended to instead call all stations from Bedford.

Other then that it's a basic Sunday service.

 

[WatcherZero]

Press release by RMT at 11:13 shortly followed at 13:40 by one from TSSA.

RMT:

RMT warns of high risk transport mobilisation strategy

8 May 2020


RMT Press Office:


RMT warns of high risk strategy as Government torpedoes rail industry planning document and brings forward start of transport mobilisation to Monday 11th May


RAIL UNION RMT has revealed today that the Government has brought forward the start of the mass transport mobilisation and the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions to Monday May 11th. RMT is aware that the Government has requested the industry to be ready to begin a last minute mobilisation to accommodate an increase in passenger numbers from Monday – in reaction to the Prime Ministers expected briefing to the nation.

The move overrules a planning document sent to the unions only yesterday by the Rail Industry Coronavirus Forum, a rail industry and trade union body established to put in place arrangements to protect passengers and workers, which said the industry had only put in place services and arrangements to protect passengers and workers from a “not high” increase in passenger numbers at a later date.

The Rail Industry Coronavirus Forum says

At this time, the railway is still in PHASE ONE of the coronavirus pandemic and is running a reduced passenger service for predominately key and essential workers. There will be further phases as lockdown is relaxed.

PHASE TWO A -is likely to commence from 18th May and will be a stepped increase in train services. Subject to lockdown relaxation messaging, it is our current assumption the initial usage increase will not be high. This short phase will also allow testing and refinement of measures that would come out of the discussions agreed via the RICF [Rail Industry Coronavirus Forum] principles for relaxation lockdown.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said;

"We have it on good authority that only today the rail network has been put on notice to begin a last minute mobilisation to accommodate an increase in passenger numbers from Monday. This is earlier than expected and completely contradicts assurances sent to us only yesterday that the rail industry had only put in place services and arrangements to protect passengers and workers from a “not high” increase in passenger numbers at a later date.

"To overrule the rail industry like this is a complete breach in faith of the trade union and rail industry discussions. It is also a high risk strategy and RMT is deeply concerned that rushed political considerations could well override the safety issues for staff and passengers alike.

RMT will not compromise on the health, safety and livelihoods of our members and we will not agree to anything that fails to put the safety of staff and passengers first. If that means advising our members not to work under conditions that are unsafe and in breach of the government's and industry’s own guidelines then that is exactly what we will do."

Ends

TSSA

Major rail health and safety agreement struck - News

(Also lots of PDF's on the details of the deal)

Major rail health and safety agreement struck

8 May 2020
Our union along with sister unions and the rail industry, has struck a wide-ranging agreement on a set of principles for social distancing on our railways. These principles will be used to guide arrangements for changes or increases to services with the aim of reducing the spread of coronavirus.
TSSA has worked with sister unions – Aslef, RMT and Unite – in direct discussions with Government, the Department for Transport (DfT) and Office of Road and Rail around issues related to the health and safety of our membes. Our union has also, separately, been involved with the Railway Industry Coronavirus Forum (RICF), a body involving the rail unions, Network Rail and the passenger train operators.

In the Agreement, considerations about social distancing underpin any increase in services and the activities that may enable such a “ramping up” of rail services, covering activities such as:
the management of passenger flows in stations;
train maintenance;
in cab assessments;
ticket sales;
revenue protection activities;
the number of people riding in the same road vehicle.

Manuel Cortes, TSSA General Secretary, said: “What has become clear to our union is that some employers have failed to take their health and safety obligations and responsibilities seriously. Consequently, our members have been exposed to additional risk, some have contracted the disease, and sadly some have died as a result.
Our union does not and will not tolerate employers playing fast and loose with our members’ lives, and we have taken action including the involvement of appropriate authorities, a theme repeated in this document.

“This is a landmark agreement. Our union believes that if employers observe the provisions of the Social Distancing Principles Agreement, the risks to our members will be minimised. It simply must be followed in every workplace.”

 

[Class83]

Surely running as many/long trains as possible is safer as for any given number of passengers they are more spread out. Without changing the lockdown regulations there can reasonably be an increase in the number of people who are 'unable to work from home' travelling to work, which will be necessary soon if we wish to continue paying for the NHS and other public services. Those with desk jobs should continue to work from home.

The number of people out and about is gradually increasing, so if services are left at current levels they will soon become too busy.

 

[Ianno87]

Surely running as many/long trains as possible is safer as for any given number of passengers they are more spread out. Without changing the lockdown regulations there can reasonably be an increase in the number of people who are 'unable to work from home' travelling to work, which will be necessary soon if we wish to continue paying for the NHS and other public services. Those with desk jobs should continue to work from home.

The number of people out and about is gradually increasing, so if services are left at current levels they will soon become too busy.

What is the definition of a "desk job"?

 

[Bantamzen]

What is the definition of a "desk job"?

I think the assumption is that if you work in an office in front of a computer, you can automatically work at home.

 

[Huntergreed]

I think the assumption is that if you work in an office in front of a computer, you can automatically work at home.

The assumption by many seems to be that unless you work in a hospital or supermarket then you can work at home, people are totally clueless.

 

[Bantamzen]

The assumption by many seems to be that unless you work in a hospital or supermarket then you can work at home, people are totally clueless.

Indeed, and I think it is safe to say that the railway unions are in danger of joining this group. Because there is a very real risk that if they play the cards they seem to want to play, many previous passengers may never return to using the trains. And if they don't, well their jobs may be at risk. I understand that people are worried in the industry, but quite frankly railway staff are far from the only workers that have to deal with the public.

 

[SuperNova]

From the BBC this morning:



Does this mean that services will definitely be increased on 18th May or is this just mere media speculation and is this the right or wrong time to start taking the first steps towards a full timetable?

There's plenty going on in the background to try and facilitate this. However, there are major concerns, and rightly, about how fellow railway staff can maintain social distancing in depots/mess rooms etc. Plus how many passengers can go on trains while maintaining social distancing.

 

[sammyg901]

I was just reading about the sickness issue, was wondering if we may see the long distance operators operating on commuter flows temporarily whilst long distance demand will be so low? E.g. an 11 car Pendolino would offer much more capacity for distancing & would help address staff shortages. Not absolutely unprecedented - I remember Virgin operating a Tring stopper during the Bletchley derailment

 

[Hadders]

A 12 car 350 would offer more capacity than an 11 car Pendolino.

On the ECML a 12 car class 700 only requires a driver and has a huge capacity.

 

[Envy123]

The BBC item suggests increased services will be aimed more at commuters around the major cities than at long-distance services.
18 May is the start of the new base NR timetable anyway, so there would have been some changes irrespective of increased frequency.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52584983

Some long-distance services are used for commuting to London, so what is going to be the limit?

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

On todays daily briefing Shapps said public transport with social distancing rules means its only capable of moving 10% of normal passengers so they are going to need every train at max length at peaks for sure although bound to flex start/finish times and how many people will still have jobs who knows

 

[Jamesrob637]

Northern - are you listening? No more two-coach trains! Be prepared for the world to return to work even if only a couple of percent actually go back on Monday week.

 

[johntea]

I wonder what proportion of workers live close enough to walk and/or cycle to work vs. those who commute a bit further away making that idea unrealistic

I do a 50 mile round trip to get to my office but luckily enough I can work from home and there is now serious talk of me doing that on a long term basis with a visit to the office maybe once a week

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Shapps did briefing tonight and made the following statement

The need to maintain social distancing means that our public transport system cannot go back to where it left off.

Here is a very stark fact…

Even with public transport reverting to full service - once you take into account the 2 metre social distancing rule – there would only be effective capacity for one in ten passengers on many parts of the network.

Just a tenth of the old capacity.

So, getting Britain moving again, while not overcrowding our transport network, is going to require many of us to think carefully about how and when we travel.

from this briefing

This is going to be hugely challenging for those on the front line as its unpolicable but what it must surely mean is that every operating carriage thats available, including stored non PRM compliant vehicles, needs to be pressed into use to maximise what capacity.

 

[yorksrob]

That will have to change at some stage. If other countries can get by without 10% maximum capacity, we will be able to.

 

[The Albion]

Shapps can spout what he likes, this certainly is not workable.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Some countries have specified 1m or 1.5m separation rather than our 2m.
That makes a big difference to useable capacity on trains.
We are probably trapped in an H&S loop, as in many other things in the UK, with no-one able to challenge the rules.