Railways for All?

[Masbroughlad]

I have an appointment on Saturday afternoon in Dorridge. If you want to travel by train, National Rail tells you to travel at an alternative time for a more comfortable journey. There is a football match on at The Hawthorns.

"Major: Due to a football match at The Hawthorns today, trains to and from The Hawthorns before and after the game are likely to be busy with football fans. If you're not heading to the match, we recommend travelling outside of these periods if possible for a more comfortable journey"

Lifted from National Rail website.

The meeting is at a set time. People can't travel at an alternative time.

Is the the rail industry really wanting people to travel by train? I know it will never happen - Resources, stock, yadder yadder, but football specials and reliefs really should be resurrected.

The advice really isn't helpful to everybody.

How will public transport ever become a viable option for our communities? I'd rather go by train, but will be driving.

 

[greatkingrat]

They are not saying you can't travel, just warning you that it may be busy. Just because your travel times aren't flexible, doesn't mean there aren't other people who may prefer to travel earlier/later to avoid the rush.

 

[Darandio]

The meeting is at a set time. People can't travel at an alternative time.

You mean that you can't travel at an alternative time. Many can and will, therefore the advice is extremely helpful.

Really cannot see an issue here.

 

[Masbroughlad]

My point exactly. Not everybody can - useful for those that can travel at alternative times or can drive instead.

I'd rather use the train than drive, that's all. This put me off. Just a shame there's not space for a comfortable journey for everyone.

 

[The Ham]

My point exactly. Not everybody can - useful for those that can travel at alternative times or can drive instead.

I'd rather use the train than drive, that's all. This put me off. Just a shame there's not space for a comfortable journey for everyone.

As a country we need more rail infrastructure capacity, this is because the government prefers to sweat what we have rather than having a bit spare.

Without that spare capacity there's not the space for things like football specials.

There used to be, but there's now a lot more services than there used to be.

Whilst there could be extra services on some lines, as soon as you go through a major junction chances are you'd run out capacity.

 

[JonathanH]

Without that spare capacity there's not the space for things like football specials.

Three explicit 'football specials' ran today. Indeed, many more than that if you include the additional Chiltern services from Marylebone to Wembley Stadium. There were 'rugby specials' yesterday.

However, they depend on there being a large enough flow of passengers travelling to make them viable. If the passengers can be accommodated on the normal services, that is what is going to happen.

Trains at the Hawthorns get some additional dwell time when there is football to reflect the higher passenger loads.

 

[WelshBluebird]

Would you rather them not warn people that services will be busy?

Sure you may not be able to travel at any different time but lots of other people may be able to.

Three explicit 'football specials' ran today. Indeed, many more than that if you include the additional Chiltern services from Marylebone to Wembley Stadium. There were 'rugby specials' yesterday.

However, they depend on there being a large enough flow of passengers travelling to make them viable. If the passengers can be accommodated on the normal services, that is what is going to happen.

Trains at the Hawthorns get some additional dwell time when there is football to reflect the higher passenger loads.

Also the additional of extra services doesn't mean people attending those events won't use the regular services too!