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Author Topic: Daytime Traffic on the TransWilts  (Read 232590 times)
grahame
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« Reply #180 on: October 30, 2015, 07:24:02 »

... again surprised at the lack of taxis at Melksham Station

I can appreciate that the demand may not be high enough (yet) to warrant a taxi sitting to wait for a fare, but could a taxi phone not be provided or at least a board with some phone numbers?

........shouldn't be too difficult to hail down a passing horse and cart?  Wink

At Nailsea & Backwell station, there is one poster, up on the railings on platform 2, which does give some local travel connections information - including a number for a local private hire company.  There is no taxi rank, and indeed no room for one.  There is one public telephone kiosk (card payment only) at the foot of the pathway up to platform 1.  And we are a Great Western main line railway station.  Tongue

I suspect it's a generic issue at smaller and middle sized stations and even some larger ones where the predominant flow is regular commuters.   The horse and cart shortage lack of taxis waiting for "next fare" is understandable where the incoming services are sporadic, and with no guarantee (or near-guarantee) of a fare; for sure (taking the Melksham example) passenger numbers are up, but never the less:
* on "only" two of my four early evening arrivals this week were people standing around wondering "where are the taxis"
* on a third, the one group standing around looking lost had pre-ordered a taxi that hadn't yet arrived
* on the fourth, no takers for a taxi

Problem is
... anything more than a very occasional person stranded indicates a need for taxis
... anything less than a fare on the vast majority of speculative visits isn't commercial sense for the taxis

One of the notice boards does include three taxi numbers if you know where to look (which board, and where in the notice). Good for people who habitually travel by train, and are familiar with this signage standard.

An "enterprising" local taxi operator has "flyposted" the station with their stickers.  Not sure I approve, yet it does make a number more obvious.

And  there's no phone ... though most people have their own mobiles these days.  Cell reception is sporadic at times ... the WebTIS (?) system is often out and it's thought by us uninformed people that this is due to reception problems. I am relieved that the ticket machine doesn't appear to suffer the same problems.

I'm very much aware that my post - thus far - describes an issue without offering practical solutions / improvements - ideas would be welcome.
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grahame
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« Reply #181 on: October 30, 2015, 07:27:42 »

I'm very much aware that my post - thus far - describes an issue without offering practical solutions / improvements - ideas would be welcome.

........shouldn't be too difficult to hail down a passing horse and cart?  Wink

Does this mean you are in favour of dangling carrots in front of transport providers to ensure greater integration?...

Love it - YES - provided that it's a truly sustainable solution and doesn't solve the issue for a while, get  people using a service until it's decided to withdraw the carrots.

All groups would have been solved this week by the rail link bus, and all groups would have happily been fare paying passengers on it.  But what we have at the station is an unnerved bus stop with an unifying notice from Wiltshire Council blaming government for ending funding of a much-used service, when we're all supposed to be working together for total transport.
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grahame
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« Reply #182 on: October 30, 2015, 07:33:31 »

But what we have at the station is an unnerved bus stop with an unifying notice from Wiltshire Council

Ruddy smell checker ...   "unserved" bus stop.   "Un-edifying"notice!
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bobm
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« Reply #183 on: October 30, 2015, 12:28:21 »

Given the time it took to get a landline connection for the TVM (Ticket Vending Machine) I wouldn't see a taxi phone being installed anytime soon.

They don't do party lines anymore!   Grin
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John R
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« Reply #184 on: November 03, 2015, 22:08:58 »

1736 from Swindon.  Around a full train (75) from Swindon to Chippenham with the few spare seats offset by a similar number of standees.  A few more between Chippenham and Melksham - would estimate around 85 in total.

A somewhat bizarre and concerning incident on the first leg - a man dressed exactly as Dennis the Menace (and with hair to match) started pacing up and down the unit from end to end, first slowly, and then quicker and in a more agitated manner. He then stopped half way and started shaking out the contents of his plastic bag (toiletries and chocolate amongst other things) in the aisle. He then continued running up and down the train for several more minutes before one by one opening all the windows down one side as the train approached Chippenham. (Not surprisingly, when passengers realised what he was doing they opened the windows before he arrived, to prevent him leaning over them, and in some cases leaning on them.)

By this time the guard had been summoned from the back cab by concerned passengers, but I overhead him say "It's ok, he's got a ticket".  Angry To be fair I think he wanted to avoid a confrontation as the train was by then only a couple of minutes away from Chippenham, where support would be on hand.  As we arrived the man finished opening the windows, left the train and up the steps, before anyone could stop him, leaving a train of somewhat perplexed passengers, and his debris in the aisle.

It's when he started emptying his bag that I suspect many of us started having misgivings as to what was going on. Thankfully it wasn't sinister, but what was interesting was that nobody (myself included) stopped him or took him to task. I certainly didn't want to start a confrontation with someone appearing to be (to put it mildly) acting irrationally.
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bobm
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« Reply #185 on: November 03, 2015, 22:16:17 »

That explains a conversation I heard between a passenger and the guard at Trowbridge where I boarded.  I also noticed it took a minute for all the passengers to alight at Trowbridge.

It seems the 153 which works that service is no longer swapped out for a new one for the 18:35 return working.  The 18:35 train was noticeably "dirty" with discarded Metro newspapers as well as lager cans, sandwich wrappers and other detritus having plied the TW all day. 
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Adelante_CCT
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« Reply #186 on: November 04, 2015, 07:14:49 »

Strange looking man..... Boarding the 17:36 from Swindon..... Walking up and down the unit..... Acting suspiciously....
I really did think this story was leading to a certain grahame, up until the part where the man didn't exit the train at Melksham  Roll Eyes
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grahame
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« Reply #187 on: November 04, 2015, 08:29:43 »

Strange looking man..... Boarding the 17:36 from Swindon..... Walking up and down the unit..... Acting suspiciously....
I really did think this story was leading to a certain grahame, up until the part where the man didn't exit the train at Melksham  Roll Eyes

And on a very serious note - "Many a true work spoken in jest".   We're very much aware for / amongst our volunteers (as well as me personally) to act in an appropriate manner ... in fact part of our briefings are to remind our team ...

Knew it wasn't me that had been observed when John R mentioned chocolate.  Never carry the stuff / can't eat it.
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« Reply #188 on: November 04, 2015, 09:46:15 »

That explains a conversation I heard between a passenger and the guard at Trowbridge where I boarded.  I also noticed it took a minute for all the passengers to alight at Trowbridge.

It seems the 153 which works that service is no longer swapped out for a new one for the 18:35 return working.  The 18:35 train was noticeably "dirty" with discarded Metro newspapers as well as lager cans, sandwich wrappers and other detritus having plied the TW all day. 

Never has been booked to be swapped out at 18 35.   People seemed to get that impression because it might have happened on a couple of occasions for some reason.
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bobm
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« Reply #189 on: November 04, 2015, 20:23:10 »

Knew it wasn't me that had been observed when John R mentioned chocolate.  Never carry the stuff / can't eat it.

This bit of earth shattering news from the BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) won't worry you then....

Quote
Cadbury has upset some fans of its Fruit and Nut bar by adding sultanas to the recipe as well as raisins.

After 90 years in production, the firm said sultanas had been included "to add more variation" and "ensure it's still an affordable treat".

But some chocoholics accused Cadbury of putting cost - sultanas are cheaper than raisins - ahead of taste.
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grahame
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« Reply #190 on: November 07, 2015, 09:03:26 »

A really grotty day (Saturday) weather wise, and all the football teams playing at distant grounds, trains running a bit different to normal as Wilts and Berks services diverted via TransWilts..  08:37 at Melksham (to Swindon) +5, -1 -> 28 .. 29/6
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Phil
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« Reply #191 on: November 07, 2015, 10:17:29 »

all the football teams playing at distant grounds

Que? Melksham Town are at home in a local derby with Bradford (on Avon)
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John R
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« Reply #192 on: November 07, 2015, 10:33:10 »

http://www.lincolnshireecho.co.uk/Lincoln-trains-overcrowded-services-allocated-new/story-28115060-detail/story.html?

Not from our area, but reference to 169 people alighting from a Class 153 commuter service recently.   Shocked  So looks like the 1736 has some way to go before it can truly be described as full. 
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #193 on: November 07, 2015, 10:52:16 »

all the football teams playing at distant grounds

Que? Melksham Town are at home in a local derby with Bradford (on Avon)

Hopefully both spectators and the dog will manage to keep dry  Smiley

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bobm
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« Reply #194 on: November 07, 2015, 11:23:34 »

all the football teams playing at distant grounds

Que? Melksham Town are at home in a local derby with Bradford (on Avon)

Isn't a derby "local" by definition?  Grin
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