2019 - TransWilts cancellation and amendments log

[whole diary]

[bobm]

16:21 Westbury to Swindon due 17:03

16:21 Westbury to Swindon due 17:03 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

17:36 Swindon to Westbury due 18:18

17:36 Swindon to Westbury due 18:18 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

[grahame]

16:21 Westbury to Swindon due 17:03

16:21 Westbury to Swindon due 17:03 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

17:36 Swindon to Westbury due 18:18

17:36 Swindon to Westbury due 18:18 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

Logged, I note, at 06:46. 

* I hope alternatives can be arranged at 12 hours notice

* I have a meeting in Bristol .. arrivals back gap into Melksham from 15:45 to 18:48. No mention of any alternative ... will probably not arrive back in Melksham on public transport ... therefore (knock on) won't leave on public transport in the first place.

[grahame]

08:11 Warminster to Swindon due 09:04
08:11 Warminster to Swindon due 09:04 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Further Information

If you hold a valid single, return, or weekly ticket, you will be able to claim compensation for delays of 15 minutes or more. Please keep your ticket and visit GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway).com/DelayRepay

Last Updated:18/08/2019 06:03

Depressing.  People use this train.  Not only for days out but also to get to work.  Real social need.  The lack of one (just possibly two) people mucks up the day for dozens ...

[grahame]

09:22 Swindon to Westbury due 10:02
09:22 Swindon to Westbury due 10:02 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

10:30 Westbury to Swindon due 11:14
10:30 Westbury to Swindon due 11:14 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

11:00 Weymouth to Swindon due 13:18
11:00 Weymouth to Swindon due 13:18 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

11:28 Swindon to Westbury due 12:08
11:28 Swindon to Westbury due 12:08 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

15:28 Swindon to Westbury due 16:08
15:28 Swindon to Westbury due 16:08 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

Speechless ...

[bobm]

Afraid you are going to be struck dumb now Graham... two more

18:45 Westbury to Swindon due 19:27

18:45 Westbury to Swindon due 19:27 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

19:57 Swindon to Westbury due 20:38

19:57 Swindon to Westbury due 20:38 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

[bobm]

Missed two

13:38 Swindon to Weymouth due 15:54

13:38 Swindon to Weymouth due 15:54 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

14:35 Westbury to Swindon due 15:19

14:35 Westbury to Swindon due 15:19 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

[grahame]

For the record - from our disruption map a few minutes ago



Looks like TransWilts disproportionatly picked on again ... I think there may be one or two afternoon trips left.

As I write / a couple of Cardiff - Portsmouths came up.  One late start from Cardiff due to overrunning engineering and one that's only running part route (not starting from Portsmouth) again for crew reasons. I make it at least three crews down.  So it's not "just" someone calling in sick, then!

[bobm]

Gunnislake Branch hit again too.

Two round trips cancelled so far.

[TaplowGreen]

For the record - from our disruption map a few minutes ago



Looks like TransWilts disproportionatly picked on again ... I think there may be one or two afternoon trips left.

As I write / a couple of Cardiff - Portsmouths came up.  One late start from Cardiff due to overrunning engineering and one that's only running part route (not starting from Portsmouth) again for crew reasons. I make it at least three crews down.  So it's not "just" someone calling in sick, then!

An endemic problem and this is exactly the sort of thing I was referring to yesterday Graham in my post replying to you on ensuring crew availability when the new timetable comes in.

It's all very well blowing trumpets about extra services, capacity etc,but putting train times in a timetable if you don't ensure that you have the personnel to crew them becomes rather futile.

GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) seem to have a real issue with basic workforce management, and it's now moving from being a "Sunday problem" to one which goes on throughout the week.

[grahame]

An endemic problem and this is exactly the sort of thing I was referring to yesterday Graham in my post replying to you on ensuring crew availability when the new timetable comes in.

It's all very well blowing trumpets about extra services, capacity etc,but putting train times in a timetable if you don't ensure that you have the personnel to crew them becomes rather futile.

GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) seem to have a real issue with basic workforce management, and it's now moving from being a "Sunday problem" to one which goes on throughout the week.

Totally agree with you.   

As our survey said ... reliability, reliability, reliability.

It happens to be a Sunday today ... but it is not just Sunday problem.  Indeed my July log for our local CRP^▸ (Community Rail Partnership) analysed by day of the week for July showed up problems in just the one month on every day of the week, and there whilst Sunday wasn't good, within statistical bounds of the same it was no worse than other days.

On Friday I had a meeting (with GWR) in Bristol.   I drove out of Melksham and back in because of the train I expected to catch back, and the following one, both being cancelled - fortunately ahead of time.   I did not fancy a two hour wait or standing around waiting for replacement transport.  And if I take that view ...

[Timmer]

On Friday I had a meeting (with GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway)) in Bristol.   I drove out of Melksham and back in because of the train I expected to catch back, and the following one, both being cancelled - fortunately ahead of time.   I did not fancy a two hour wait or standing around waiting for replacement transport.  And if I take that view ...

Then we know we have a problem.

[bobm]

No comfort for those north of Westbury but the 11:00 from Weymouth will now run as far as Westbury with the return starting back from there too.

[bobm]

16:52 Westbury to Swindon due 17:41

16:52 Westbury to Swindon due 17:41 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

17:56 Swindon to Westbury due 18:36

17:56 Swindon to Westbury due 18:36 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

19:41 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 21:34

19:41 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 21:34 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

That is now the whole day's service between Swindon and Westbury (and return) cancelled.

[grahame]

16:52 Westbury to Swindon due 17:41

16:52 Westbury to Swindon due 17:41 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

17:56 Swindon to Westbury due 18:36

17:56 Swindon to Westbury due 18:36 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

19:41 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 21:34

19:41 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 21:34 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

I think that's now every single service gone.

From my mailbox:

... at the station for the 8:36 this morning was told by the help desk, the next one was 18;00.

Clearly out of date - next train 07:20 tomorrow.

[grahame]

Twitter exchange on alternative arrangements

Myself 08:16
What arrangements are in place for people travelling from Melksham today?

GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) Help (08:16)
Thank you for providing this information, a team member will be in touch with you shortly.

GWR Help (09:20)
Hi there, there are taxis at all affected stations to take passengers to their destinations. - Michaela

I'm noting "to their destinations" ... which is a rather bigger and better offer for passengers headed for a day out in Weymouth than might have been expected.


Edit to add ...   Sadly, Journey check somewhat contradicts, as it suggests that the taxis will only be ordered on demand (and you need to know to demand).   Extraordinary for a station which has passenger getting on to virtually every train

Additional Information
If you are travelling from an unstaffed station please use the Customer Help Point or contact National Rail Enquiries on 03457 484 950 detailing the total number of passengers in your party and your intended destination. This will enable us to get suitable replacement transport to you as quickly as possible.