Great Western Coffee Shop

Reports via the web site of a little blue birdy indicates that SWR passengers are having a bit of a mare today with engineering-work-related rail replacement bus provision organised by the rail company.

Mark

There was a similar problem last week when the bus operator failed to provide the required number of buses & paid for taxis to complete journeys.

RRS is becoming a problem for this reason & further work needs doing by TOCs & ORR as to the way forward. Bus companies just don't have drivers hanging around awaiting overtime anymore. Just enough to cover the day-to-day contracts

My journey to Epsom today involved a rickety old London bus provided by SWR heading towards Worcester Park. The engine cut out at Leatherhead and couldn't be started again. Fortunately a newer bus provided by Southern wasn't far behind heading towards Sutton and I was able to complete my journey on that railway replacement bus replacement bus.

Coming home, the broken down bus was still at Leatherhead, the engine compartment open and being looked at presumably by the owners. They didn't look like mechanics and were taking photos. I wonder if it will still be there tomorrow.

There was an announcement at the Southampton vs West Ham game today that there were not enough drivers for the rail replacement buses and that supporters needed to make their own way from Southampton to Eastleigh.

That would mean 100's (maybe 1000's) of supporters trying to find their own way; which might be just okay for locals but feel sorry for those from West Ham.

What is the point of a public transport system that just tells it's customers tough luck you are on your own.

That's utterly appalling.

Who takes responsibility for this farce?

That’s pathetic but not surprising.

The contempt shown by the railways towards its customers this year has reached new lows.

T%he announcements I heard at Basingstoke on Saturday said the problem was due to a national shortage of bus drivers.

At times, I feel our fragmented public transport network is very good at pointing fingers away from itself!

I remember in the 1970's in Oxford there were always problems with buses when the car factory was busy as either the pay or conditions were better there.  With unemployment at a historic low nationally I am sure the same applies now, especially in prosperous areas like Basingstoke.