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« Reply #2235 on: August 09, 2024, 06:11:06 » |
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https://busandtrainuser.com/2024/08/08/guest-blog-a-train-driver-responds/My recent post about The way ahead for buses and trains attracted a large response of more than 80 comments. I’m sure not every reader reads through every comment, particularly those added a few days after the original post, so today I’m reprinting a comment left by an anonymous train driver as a Guest Blog to give it a wider audience. He or she speaks with personal experience and answers two points someone else raised in an earlier comment as well as very aptly illustrating the point I made in the original post about the rail industry’s current biggest (and not talked about enough) challenge: driver availability. Here’s the comment as posted: Why is a position that pays £60,000 per annum short of people? There are a whole host of reasons, starting with the weird and wonderful requirements companies have when recruiting into any role nowadays; I suspect far too many viable candidates fall or give up at the first hurdle because it’s just not worth the hassle. Medical requirements for train driving are onerous and fail far more people than they pass ............snip...............
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Personal opinion only. Writings not representative of any union, collective, management or employer. (Think that absolves me...........)  |
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Worcester_Passenger
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« Reply #2236 on: August 09, 2024, 06:37:57 » |
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That's a very good piece and I recommend reading all of it.
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #2237 on: August 09, 2024, 07:33:20 » |
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That's a very good piece and I recommend reading all of it.
Agreed - thanks for posting it GBM - very interesting. |
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GBM
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« Reply #2238 on: August 09, 2024, 08:17:41 » |
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That's a very good piece and I recommend reading all of it.
Agreed - thanks for posting it GBM - very interesting. I'm sure a-driver has his views as well! |
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Personal opinion only. Writings not representative of any union, collective, management or employer. (Think that absolves me...........) |
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old original
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« Reply #2239 on: August 09, 2024, 09:05:22 » |
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There have been odd cancellations on the Falmouth branch nearly every day this week.
This could get interesting, going forward, as today marks the start of Falmouth Week, combined with First bus strikes today and Monday and overtime ban Sat & Sun. Luckily(!) no Red Arrows but there's still plenty to attract a hefty crowd.
...and today is getting worse, nothing and the branch for a couple of hours, mid afternoon
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« Last Edit: August 09, 2024, 11:57:36 by old original »
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8 Billion people on a wet rock - of course we're not happy
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Timmer
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« Reply #2240 on: August 18, 2024, 15:28:20 » |
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Cancellations to services between Reading and Westbury
Due to a shortage of train crew at Pewsey fewer trains are able to run on the line towards Exeter St David's. Disruption is expected until 17:15 18/08.
Train services between Reading and Westbury have been cancelled.
Customer Advice
Due to a shortage of train crew today (Sunday 18th August), we have unfortunately had to limt the number of trains heading between London Paddington and the West of England. Those which are running are typically very busy in both directions. Trains which would normally stop at stations in Wiltshire and Somerset on route are cancelled and we are not able to call at these stations.
Customers travelling to Pewsey are advised to travel to Swindon where road transport is available. Customers boarding at Pewsey are advised to make use of the Help Point to speak with a member of staff.
Customers requiring other stations along the route can travel to Bath Spa for connections. Limited road transport is available from selected stations on route. West bound customers are advised to make use of the Help Point for further information. Most of the SW semi-fasts cancelled today putting pressure on already busy fast services, so much so these are not calling at all stations usually served by the semi-fasts to cover for the cancellations, particularly poor Pewsey. Of note this morning was the cancellation of the 10:36 to Paignton followed by the 11:03 to Newquay. Can’t begin to imagine how bad things were on the 12:03. This was slated on JC as calling additionally at Westbury and Castle Cary, it didn’t. I can only think the train was so rammed that it just carried on without stopping because it was so busy. I feel for those who either choose or rely on the train to take them down to Devon and Cornwall for their holidays. GWR▸ have a great summer timetable but they can never seem to operate a full service at weekends. I don’t see this ever changing; even after all routes become nationalised. |
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grahame
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« Reply #2241 on: August 18, 2024, 16:50:06 » |
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GWR▸ have a great summer timetable but they can never seem to operate a full service at weekends. Sadly, the published weekend timetable seems to be more fiction than fact and it does the railway great harm. Although Cross Country are criticised for having a reduced timetable for the next 3 months, there is some merit in that. At least customers know what is running to turn up for. I would rather have, say, 10 services a day that I knew would run 99% of the time than 15 running out of 20 in a timetable, but only learning a few hours ahead which 15 those are. A conspiracy theorist might suggest that there is collusion between the contract operator and government to provide a poor service at present, allowing a nationalised outfit to run a basic "parliamentary" service when they take over, and leaving the way open for a private sector operation to provide the rest of the services. Rather like Hull trains and Lumo and Grand Central are doing out of King's Cross. |
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Coffee Shop Admin, Acting Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, Option 24/7 Melksham Rep
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #2242 on: August 18, 2024, 17:55:16 » |
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GWR▸ have a great summer timetable but they can never seem to operate a full service at weekends. Sadly, the published weekend timetable seems to be more fiction than fact and it does the railway great harm. Although Cross Country are criticised for having a reduced timetable for the next 3 months, there is some merit in that. At least customers know what is running to turn up for. Except for the fact there were crew related cancellations on XC▸ both yesterday and today. Granted, only a few, but it led to a 4-hour gap at one point from Cardiff to Birmingham on a route that should have an hourly service. |
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To view my GWML▸ Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/ |
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a-driver
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« Reply #2243 on: August 19, 2024, 11:12:21 » |
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I'm sure a-driver has his views as well!
He does…. surprisingly though, I actually agree with some of the points raised! |
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #2244 on: August 19, 2024, 11:32:54 » |
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In view of these apparently ongoing problems, I have now expanded the heading of this topic.   Purely for simplicity, I've now removed the reference to "since September 2017" in this topic's heading. |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #2245 on: August 25, 2024, 06:43:34 » |
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Well, it's already looking like a classic GWR▸ "BBQ Sunday" today.
Heaven help those planning to travel to or from the West Country, even the sleeper's been cancelled.
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Timmer
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« Reply #2246 on: August 25, 2024, 10:54:26 » |
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Surprised? No. Will it ever change, even after ‘nationalism? No. Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Penzance via Plymouth Due to a shortage of train crew between London Paddington and Penzance fewer trains are able to run. Disruption is expected until the end of the day. Train services between London Paddington and Penzance via Plymouth may be cancelled or revised. Customer Advice Train services today (Sunday 25 August) are expected to be extremely busy with a reduced service due to crew shortages. Please check your outward and return travel. https://gwr.com/travel-information/travel-updates/check-your-journeyTo help customers across the GWR▸ network, tickets for the 25th will be valid on Monday 26th August. Cancellations to services between Plymouth and Penzance
Due to a shortage of train crew between London Paddington and Penzance fewer trains are able to run. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Train services between Plymouth and Penzance may be cancelled or revised.
Customer Advice
Train services today (Sunday 25 August) are expected to be extremely busy with a reduced service due to crew shortages. |
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Timmer
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« Reply #2247 on: August 25, 2024, 10:57:22 » |
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Heaven help those planning to travel to or from the West Country, even the sleeper's been cancelled.
Sleeper has be reinstated. |
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Mark A
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« Reply #2248 on: August 25, 2024, 11:09:35 » |
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The fact that it was cancelled then reinstated must have completely wound up anyone booked on that service that heard of the cancellation though. This is something that ought not to happen. More generally, it shouldn't be the practice to cancel trains and then reinstate them as staffing rosters settle.
Mark
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Timmer
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« Reply #2249 on: August 25, 2024, 11:44:14 » |
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Not just restricted to the Southwest now: Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Carmarthen
Due to a shortage of train crew between London Paddington and Carmarthen fewer trains are able to run.
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled or revised. Disruption is expected until the end of the day. Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads via Bath Spa
Due to a shortage of train crew at Bristol Temple Meads fewer trains are able to run. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Train services between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads via Bath Spa may be cancelled, delayed or revised.
Customer Advice
We apologise for the disruption to your journey today.
Train services today (Sunday 25 August) are expected to be extremely busy, especially in the Bristol area with the Massive Attack Concert at Clifton Down. |
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