Northhighland
Member
- Joined
- 19 Aug 2016
- Messages
- 606
Interestingly I've been noticing a few (normal, non enthusiast) people on Twitter messaging @scotrail on Twitter to say they are really impressed with the quality of the new Intercity trains.
When you check out their pictures quite often it is the "Classic" sets they are travelling on so there is a quality upgrade perception from 170s even with the unrefurbished stock.
This doesn't particularly surprise me but worth bearing in mind for any perception that a lack of a full set of refurbished HSTs by December 2019 will be a "crisis".
There will still be several problems from lack of refurbished stock:
- Lack of CET toilets will be an issue with the RMT;
- Need for DfT derogations post Jan 2020 may well be an issue;
- Increased dwell times with slam door stock may prevent some timetable improvements.
But once the training issues are resolved I'm not sure that customer quality perception is going to be an issue with the Classic Stock.
Completely agree, from a passenger perspective classic HST’s are an improvement, a pretty significant improvement. The issues you list as problems is accurate but of little interest to passengers.