John Luxton
Established Member
During the past few days, I have received notifications from heritage railways that I support of their reopening plans. I can’t say any fill me with any great enthusiasm due to the way in which their operations are being restarted. There also appears to be much commonality in arrangements which makes one wonder whether they are following a set script.
My main concerns are:
All seen so far are offering “joy ride” services – just there and back usually on consecutive trains.
Some are only operating over part of their route.
Journey’s must start and finish at one station.
This stops people from using lines to access walks, visit pubs along the route etc. Not everyone that visits a heritage line just wants to sit on the train and do a round trip – the train is often part of a bigger day out for many families.
It is no longer possible to book a single journey – some people walk one way and return by train.
(Basically, they have given up any pretence at a real transport function and one wonders if in becoming basically a fairground ride there may be VAT implication. My point is that throughout the lockdown it has been possible to turn up at a network rail station and travel without all this regulation. Why are heritage lines not working to the same rules as their network counterparts?)
Most lines want journeys pre-booked – often on-line. Though one line I have come across has stated there is no need to prebook – which I was pleased to see. Pre-booking this makes things difficult for those who are not online or who prefer not to make transactions online. How can one line state there is no need to pre-book when others do?
(This bothers me because I imagine many families make day trip decisions whether on holiday or venturing out from home probably on the spare of the moment – might be the weather forecast the night before. People are being asked to make commitments days in advance. How many heritage lines pick up passengers from someone driving and past and seeing them? I imagine quite a few. Having to book removes spontaneity of choice.
My other concern is over fares.
A number of lines are only selling compartments for one round trip fares seen so far are £50 to £60 for one compartment for one round trip discriminates against single people and even to some extent couples where the combined normal fares would not reach the total requested. Despite having to pay considerably more the “ride all day” facility where it existed has been removed.
Yes, I accept that there is a need to bring in vital revenue, but I wonder if the significant increase in costs along with the hassle of booking online will just put many people off?
Then of course there is the matter of supporter’s concessions. During the lockdown I am sure many enthusiasts have made virtual visits, donated money, bought goods from lines that have online shops etc. In addition to this I, myself, have taken out two life memberships and joined a couple of other lines on an annual basis to try and do my modest bit to help the lines I regularly visit.
So far from what I have seen lines are modifying these. One line is removing the concession from the normal service and operating member’s specials out of hours, another stating accommodation is limited and phone up. Okay reasonable to some extent but I imagine there will be other lines that axe them completely.
Basically, I just want to know what is preventing heritage railways operating on the same terms as Network Rail service and offering as near a normal service as possible?
As I see things at present, I just do not see visiting a heritage line as being a pleasant day out anymore and I am an enthusiast.
If I feel put off what must the average non enthusiast family feel like?
Is this way of operating even sustainable?
I guess the answer to that question will be answered in early September when summer holiday figures are analysed.
John
My main concerns are:
All seen so far are offering “joy ride” services – just there and back usually on consecutive trains.
Some are only operating over part of their route.
Journey’s must start and finish at one station.
This stops people from using lines to access walks, visit pubs along the route etc. Not everyone that visits a heritage line just wants to sit on the train and do a round trip – the train is often part of a bigger day out for many families.
It is no longer possible to book a single journey – some people walk one way and return by train.
(Basically, they have given up any pretence at a real transport function and one wonders if in becoming basically a fairground ride there may be VAT implication. My point is that throughout the lockdown it has been possible to turn up at a network rail station and travel without all this regulation. Why are heritage lines not working to the same rules as their network counterparts?)
Most lines want journeys pre-booked – often on-line. Though one line I have come across has stated there is no need to prebook – which I was pleased to see. Pre-booking this makes things difficult for those who are not online or who prefer not to make transactions online. How can one line state there is no need to pre-book when others do?
(This bothers me because I imagine many families make day trip decisions whether on holiday or venturing out from home probably on the spare of the moment – might be the weather forecast the night before. People are being asked to make commitments days in advance. How many heritage lines pick up passengers from someone driving and past and seeing them? I imagine quite a few. Having to book removes spontaneity of choice.
My other concern is over fares.
A number of lines are only selling compartments for one round trip fares seen so far are £50 to £60 for one compartment for one round trip discriminates against single people and even to some extent couples where the combined normal fares would not reach the total requested. Despite having to pay considerably more the “ride all day” facility where it existed has been removed.
Yes, I accept that there is a need to bring in vital revenue, but I wonder if the significant increase in costs along with the hassle of booking online will just put many people off?
Then of course there is the matter of supporter’s concessions. During the lockdown I am sure many enthusiasts have made virtual visits, donated money, bought goods from lines that have online shops etc. In addition to this I, myself, have taken out two life memberships and joined a couple of other lines on an annual basis to try and do my modest bit to help the lines I regularly visit.
So far from what I have seen lines are modifying these. One line is removing the concession from the normal service and operating member’s specials out of hours, another stating accommodation is limited and phone up. Okay reasonable to some extent but I imagine there will be other lines that axe them completely.
Basically, I just want to know what is preventing heritage railways operating on the same terms as Network Rail service and offering as near a normal service as possible?
As I see things at present, I just do not see visiting a heritage line as being a pleasant day out anymore and I am an enthusiast.
If I feel put off what must the average non enthusiast family feel like?
Is this way of operating even sustainable?
I guess the answer to that question will be answered in early September when summer holiday figures are analysed.
John