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a-driver
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« Reply #2340 on: October 30, 2024, 05:30:43 » |
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Indeed - but GWR▸ Director stated that they had more than enough staff to run the timetable!
If there is a need for RDW, then they absolutely haven't & they ought to be challenged on this. Fine to rely on it to cover sickness or other absences, but not as a general rule.
And therein lies the difference. If they are relying on RDW, then they do not0 have sufficient staff, whatever a Director might state to us.
Staffing levels vary from depot. Some are significantly overstaffed, some are slightly understaffed, so it’s a case of having the right staff, but not necessarily in the right depot. Then there’s training backlog, then add to that individuals who are off on long term sick, maternity & paternity leave, failed medicals, operational incidents and staff availability can significantly reduce beyond what has been allowed for with spare cover. Driver wise, from what I’ve been told, there’s a significant number of depots on GWR that operate with minimal RDW, maybe one or two drivers a day with a number of trainees still in the system to come through. The changes to pensions occurs in July with the new rate of pay being reflected for final salary pensions. That’s when a significant exodus could occur, I think ex BR▸ drivers only need to give 4 weeks notice, and that’s why there’s been a big recruitment programme over the last few years which has resulted in some depots being overstaffed. |
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grahame
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« Reply #2341 on: October 30, 2024, 06:30:28 » |
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Indeed - but GWR▸ Director stated that they had more than enough staff to run the timetable!
If there is a need for RDW, then they absolutely haven't & they ought to be challenged on this. Fine to rely on it to cover sickness or other absences, but not as a general rule.
And therein lies the difference. If they are relying on RDW, then they do not0 have sufficient staff, whatever a Director might state to us.
Staffing levels vary from depot. Some are significantly overstaffed, some are slightly understaffed, so it’s a case of having the right staff, but not necessarily in the right depot. Then there’s training backlog, then add to that individuals who are off on long term sick, maternity & paternity leave, failed medicals, operational incidents and staff availability can significantly reduce beyond what has been allowed for with spare cover. Driver wise, from what I’ve been told, there’s a significant number of depots on GWR that operate with minimal RDW, maybe one or two drivers a day with a number of trainees still in the system to come through. The changes to pensions occurs in July with the new rate of pay being reflected for final salary pensions. That’s when a significant exodus could occur, I think ex BR▸ drivers only need to give 4 weeks notice, and that’s why there’s been a big recruitment programme over the last few years which has resulted in some depots being overstaffed. I have "liked" that - but I am going a step further and posting a message to say I "like" it. There are enough staff overall if you like to look at it like that, but not in the right place at the right time, nor with the right training and with the right availability. Ergo - there are not enough staff available in practise ... to run the services in the published timetable. |
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Coffee Shop Admin, Acting Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, Option 24/7 Melksham Rep
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TonyK
Global Moderator
Hero Member
Posts: 6584
The artist formerly known as Four Track, Now!
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« Reply #2342 on: October 31, 2024, 14:36:23 » |
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The changes to pensions occurs in July with the new rate of pay being reflected for final salary pensions. That’s when a significant exodus could occur,
That is outrageous gaming of the system, although eerily similar to what I did on leaving the Civil Service. |
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Now, please!
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #2343 on: November 01, 2024, 07:46:19 » |
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Reading predictions on other forums that this coming Sunday is expected to be the worst yet for crew shortage cancellations/general chaos.
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Surrey 455
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« Reply #2344 on: November 01, 2024, 20:36:15 » |
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Reading predictions on other forums that this coming Sunday is expected to be the worst yet for crew shortage cancellations/general chaos.
From https://www.gwr.com/disruption-3-novEssential short-notice track repairs will block access to the Stoke Gifford Train Depot in the Bristol area on Sunday 3 November.
Although we will be able to move some trains to alternative locations in advance, fewer trains will be available for passenger service throughout the day. Services will also not be able to stop at Bristol Parkway.
This is in addition to pre-planned engineering work between Reading and Didcot which will already significantly limit our ability to run services between London Paddington, Bristol Temple Meads and South Wales.
Services that do run are expected to be extremely busy. Customers are advised to only travel if absolutely necessary on these routes.
Because of the late notice of some of these works, and the complexity of updating timetable systems, journey planners will not show every change correctly before Sunday morning.
We’re sorry for the inconvenience caused by this disruption. Customers with tickets for Sunday 3 November on the affected routes will be able to use them to travel on Saturday 2 or Monday 4 November. If you prefer, you can claim a full refund.
Services between Devon/Cornwall and London Paddington are expected to operate as normal.
For the latest information and to check your journey visit GWR▸ .com/check. |
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ChrisB
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« Reply #2345 on: November 01, 2024, 21:11:10 » |
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Seems as though no trains stop at Didcot this Sunday.... From the BBC» Rail operators warn of weekend travel disruption
Two train operators are warning commuters of disruption due to engineering work over the weekend.
Great Western Railway (GWR▸ ) has advised services between London Paddington, Bristol and South Wales will not stop at Didcot Parkway on Sunday.
As a result Chiltern Railways said its services between London Marylebone and Oxford "are likely to be busier than usual".
The operator said operational challenges also meant customers should check before they travel from Friday until Sunday.
GWR has urged customers "to only travel if absolutely necessary" between London Paddington, Bristol and South Wales on Sunday.
There will be fewer services, which will stop at Reading, but a diversion will be in place adding about 30 minutes to journeys. Anyone still wanting to travel "must make a reservation".
It also said that due to the late notice of some of the engineering work, journey planners would not be fully correct until they are updated overnight on Saturday.
A full list of the routes affected by the works can be found here, external.
GWR said there would be reduced services to and from London Paddington throughout November and early December and apologised for the disruption.
Network Rail’s Western route director Marcus Jones said their work to improve the performance of the Thames Valley line was "well under way".
He said they were upgrading drainage systems and the track which was "essential" to the goal of reducing disruption and improving the resilience of the line.
Chiltern Railways said HS2▸ viaduct works near Wendover, Buckinghamshire taking place over the weekend may also affect services.
The company's commercial and customer strategy director Michael Stewart said he "strongly" encouraged customers to check their journeys on the day of travel, as journey planners might not be updated until late in the evening on the previous day. |
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Ollie
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« Reply #2347 on: November 01, 2024, 23:51:51 » |
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Seems as though no trains stop at Didcot this Sunday....
Didcot becomes a terminus on Sunday. A quick check shows it will have GWR▸ train services for North and South Cotswolds and XC▸ train services to Manchester. Buses will be running to Reading (XC and GWR) and Winchester (XC) |
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Mark A
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« Reply #2348 on: November 02, 2024, 14:51:59 » |
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This sounds as though Bristol/Bath have trains to Reading, running via the Berks and Hants, yes? (Asking for someone* who is leaving the country**)
Mark
*Not me.
**Temporarily.
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Ollie
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« Reply #2349 on: November 02, 2024, 15:01:18 » |
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Hi Mark, yes, Bristol/Bath going via B&H▸ to Reading.
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bobm
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« Reply #2350 on: November 02, 2024, 15:17:36 » |
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From GWR▸ .com Track renewal work will affect train services between Reading and Didcot Parkway.
Trains between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads will use an alternative route – not stopping at Didcot Parkway, Swindon or Chippenham.
Trains between London and South Wales will also be diverted – not stopping at Didcot Parkway or Swindon but will stop at Bath Spa and Bristol Temple Meads.
Trains will still run between London Paddington and Reading, plus between Didcot Parkway and Cheltenham Spa, Oxford, Worcester, Great Malvern or Hereford.
Train services will also run between Swindon and Bristol Temple Meads via Chippenham and Bath Spa.
Replacement buses are planned between:
Reading and Swindon (non-stop)
Reading and Didcot Parkway (non-stop and stopping)
CrossCountry trains will operate between Bournemouth and Reading, plus between Didcot Parkway and Manchester Piccadilly with replacement buses between:
Reading and Didcot Parkway (non-stop)
Winchester and Didcot Parkway (non-stop) |
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Timmer
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« Reply #2351 on: November 03, 2024, 07:30:12 » |
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Update from GWR▸ : Cancellations to services between London Paddington - Bristol and Swansea
Due to a short-notice change to the timetable between London Paddington - Bristol and Swansea fewer trains are able to run.
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled, delayed or revised. Bristol Parkway will not be served. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Customer Advice
As a result of this issue, fewer trains will be available for passenger service throughout the day. Services will also not be able to stop at Bristol Parkway. The intention had been to operate an hourly Paddington - Reading - Bath Spa - Bristol Temple Meads - Newport - Cardiff Central - Swansea service but further limitations have arisen affecting staff resources which has resulted in periods throughout the day where there will be consecutive cancellations on what was intended to be an hourly service.
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Those services that do run are expected to be extremely busy. Customers are advised to only travel if absolutely necessary on this route and, please note that, connections cannot be guaranteed.
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This issue is the result of some essential short-notice track repairs which will not only block access to the Stoke Gifford Train Depot in the Bristol area but will also prevent any train services from calling at Bristol Parkway station.
This is in addition to previously planned engineering work between Reading and Didcot. The combination of all these factors significantly limits our ability to run services between London Paddington, Bristol Temple Meads and South Wales
Because of the late notice of some of these works, and the complexity of updating timetable systems, journey planners will not show every change correctly before Sunday morning so please recheck any itinerary obtained prior to this morning.
We are sorry for the inconvenience caused by this disruption. Customers with tickets for Sunday 3 November on the affected routes will be able to use them to travel on Monday 4 November. If you prefer, you can claim a full refund. I realise this isn’t just about train crew and is also about resources. Today’s service can be best described as an absolute mess and don’t think that ‘a normal service’ is running to/from the Southwest either. There are cancellations on this route too, some of which aren’t showing on Journeycheck but are listed as cancelled on RTT» . |
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #2352 on: November 03, 2024, 09:47:20 » |
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............and on top of staff shortages, "short notice changes to the timetable" etc we now have this......
Cancellations to services between Bristol Temple Meads and Cardiff Central
Due to engineering works not being finished on time at Severn Tunnel Jn the line is closed. Disruption is expected until 11:00 03/11.
Train services between Bristol Temple Meads and Cardiff Central may be cancelled or delayed.
Customer Advice
We are currently experiencing disruption between Cardiff Central and Bristol Temple Meads due to engineering works not being finished on time, as a result services will be disrupted between Cardiff Central and Bristol Temple Meads.
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Network Rail technicians are on site and estimate the service will be moving again at approximately 11:00.
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We re working with our providers to source Road Transport. Please check back shortly.
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We are sorry for the delay to your journey.
Cancellations to services between Swansea and London Paddington via Cardiff Central
Due to engineering works not being finished on time between Swansea and Port Talbot Parkway all lines are closed. Disruption is expected until 10:45 03/11.
Train services between Swansea and London Paddington via Cardiff Central and Bristol Parkway may be cancelled or delayed.
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Mark A
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« Reply #2353 on: November 03, 2024, 13:14:28 » |
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It feels as though the Coffeeshop disruption map's data sources are a bit overwhelmed and the actual situation is worse on the ground. Several of the hourly services from Bristol have been running 60 - 90 minutes late. GWR▸ advising at short notice earlier that there will be no Paddington to Bristol service after 18:00 but perhaps something will be found. This must make for a long day for everyone, staff who are working it included.
Mark
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #2354 on: November 03, 2024, 13:34:22 » |
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It feels as though the Coffeeshop disruption map's data sources are a bit overwhelmed and the actual situation is worse on the ground. Several of the hourly services from Bristol have been running 60 - 90 minutes late. GWR▸ advising at short notice earlier that there will be no Paddington to Bristol service after 18:00 but perhaps something will be found. This must make for a long day for everyone, staff who are working it included.
Mark
According to National Rail the last direct London-Bristol service will be the 1705. |
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