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Author Topic: Open Access Application - London to Cardiff (28/03/2019)  (Read 49294 times)
TonyK
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« Reply #75 on: July 09, 2020, 22:59:48 »

Hull Trains ditched the HSTs (High Speed Train) & 180s for 802s a few months before they suspended service, which they call 'Paragons' as it is the law that every operator of these have to call them something different. No buffet though, as always as a result of 'customer request' Smiley (for more seats).

It's nice to know that TOCs (Train Operating Company) do respond to customer citicism of their rolling stock, although I must emphasise that I didn't offer an opinion on the buffet.
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« Reply #76 on: July 10, 2020, 19:38:15 »

Hull trains is an open access operator and therefore not subject to DfT» (Department for Transport - about) whims and control. Don't expect any conventional TOC (Train Operating Company) to act similarly. The "boss" would not allow it
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« Reply #77 on: August 28, 2020, 07:40:12 »

as it is the law that every operator of these have to call them something different.

What a load of garbage!  Every TOC (Train Operating Company) still calls the HST (High Speed Train) a HST.  The only reason TOC call their trains different names is to make them stand out and for corporate rubbish, quite frankly it's a stupid idea and they should just have a standard name for example IET (Intercity Express Train) instead of Azuma (Brand name for Class 80x trains on LNER), Paragon etc.



As for the open access plan I doubt it's going to happen as most of the 91/Mk4 stock that hasn't already been taken up is scrapped or stripped down.
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« Reply #78 on: August 28, 2020, 07:47:30 »

as it is the law that every operator of these have to call them something different.

What a load of garbage!  Every TOC (Train Operating Company) still calls the HST (High Speed Train) a HST.  The only reason TOC call their trains different names is to make them stand out and for corporate rubbish, quite frankly it's a stupid idea and they should just have a standard name for example IET (Intercity Express Train) instead of Azuma (Brand name for Class 80x trains on LNER), Paragon etc.

I never did make the transition from Marathon to Snickers.

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As for the open access plan I doubt it's going to happen as most of the 91/Mk4 stock that hasn't already been taken up is scrapped or stripped down.

I also doubt that it will happen, although I haven't chosen one specific reason.That said, as the existing open access operators started somewhere, nothing can be entirely ruled out.
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« Reply #79 on: February 10, 2021, 11:50:39 »

Grand Union application has been rejected, basically because although it is workable, (6 of 7 return services can be pathed), and generates adequate new fare income, it still abstracts from DfT» (Department for Transport - about)’s overall funds, and that isn’t acceptable in times of COVID service reductions etc, etc...

https://www.orr.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2021-02/2021-02-10-gand-union-london-carmarthen-s17-decision-letter.pdf
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« Reply #80 on: February 10, 2021, 12:35:54 »

Grand Union application has been rejected, basically because although it is workable, (6 of 7 return services can be pathed), and generates adequate new fare income, it still abstracts from DfT» (Department for Transport - about)’s overall funds, and that isn’t acceptable in times of COVID service reductions etc, etc...

https://www.orr.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2021-02/2021-02-10-gand-union-london-carmarthen-s17-decision-letter.pdf

Thanks for that, Paul. I have mirrored that document here for members - see http://www.passenger.chat/24635 .  In this case, I expect the original URL may change soon when ORR» (Office of Rail and Road formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) notices it contains "gand" rather than "grand"  Cheesy
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« Reply #81 on: February 11, 2021, 12:32:36 »

No great surprise that it has been rejected.
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« Reply #82 on: February 11, 2021, 12:57:44 »

Interesting what you learn from one 'case' to another ... if six paths were available all the way, it follows that six paths were available over the subset from Wootton Bassett to Didcot - potentially allowing the extension of something coming up from Chippenham into Swindon to be extended to Oxford ... whether you look at running frachise, central or local transport board contract, or open access ...
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« Reply #83 on: October 05, 2022, 17:38:15 »

From RailAdvent - https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2022/10/grand-union-trains-submits-proposal-for-new-carmarthen-to-london-paddington-service.html

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An application has been made by Grand Union Trains (GUT) for the right to operate a new intercity train service between Carmarthen and London Paddington.

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR» (Office of Rail and Road formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about)) is currently considering the application, which is for five return services each day and includes a commitment to build a new ‘parkway’ station at Felindre, north of Swansea. In February last year, the ORR rejected a proposal by Grand Union to operate a Cardiff to Paddington service.
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« Reply #84 on: October 07, 2022, 23:32:05 »

From RailAdvent - https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2022/10/grand-union-trains-submits-proposal-for-new-carmarthen-to-london-paddington-service.html

Quote
An application has been made by Grand Union Trains (GUT) for the right to operate a new intercity train service between Carmarthen and London Paddington.

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR» (Office of Rail and Road formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about)) is currently considering the application, which is for five return services each day and includes a commitment to build a new ‘parkway’ station at Felindre, north of Swansea. In February last year, the ORR rejected a proposal by Grand Union to operate a Cardiff to Paddington service.

As a fairly regular Carmarthen to London traveller there just doesn't seem enough demand although I'm guessing it might be more to do with logistics and Swansea station perhaps. More (than the one currently anyway) direct services would be useful but its not something I ever found myself feeling I really needed.
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grahame
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« Reply #85 on: October 08, 2022, 07:51:15 »

As a fairly regular Carmarthen to London traveller there just doesn't seem enough demand although I'm guessing it might be more to do with logistics and Swansea station perhaps. More (than the one currently anyway) direct services would be useful but its not something I ever found myself feeling I really needed.

I did quite a bit of work in the Swansea area, and the current Swansea station is very much downtown if you call it that - near the centre, and on a regional map not all that far from the sea.   Front the hinterland of south and west Wales, not an easy park and ride off the motorway - Port Talbot Parkway may be, but it is further east.  Llanshamlet and perhaps Skewen serve the area to the north of the city, but neither has an intercity service and local trains are below the attractive level when you add in a need to changes to get there from anywhere in England.   On that basis, a station at Felindre (just to the north of Morriston) with good access to and from the M4 and A4067 junction, and plenty of parking and a decent reliable train service to London at a decent price and good service and comfort on the train would be very attractive.

Open Access is about reaching the parts of travel other (Dft specified and supported) services don't reach, and there are also opportunities to be explored along this route for calls at Llangennech, Severn Tunnel Junction, Pilning, Hayes and Harlington and Ealing Broadway ... and I kinda wonder about Lawrence Hill and Oldfield Park when I'm in "Crayonist" mode, as well as stations for Cardiff, Newport and Reading and some of the other  town along the way.
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« Reply #86 on: October 08, 2022, 10:01:40 »

On that basis, a station at Felindre (just to the north of Morriston) with good access to and from the M4 and A4067 junction, and plenty of parking and a decent reliable train service to London at a decent price and good service and comfort on the train would be very attractive.

To clarify that, the name "Felindre" has been used for proposals for a station at this location - but it's really in a no-persons-land between multiple places, and Felindre is a village some miles north, so really it's "Felindre Road" in best "Llanbister Road" tradition.
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« Reply #87 on: December 01, 2022, 09:55:18 »

The application's been granted. Here's the ORR» (Office of Rail and Road formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about).

https://www.orr.gov.uk/search-news/regulator-approves-new-grand-union-train-service-carmarthen-london-paddington

"This decision supports more choice for passengers, new direct journey opportunities, more price competition, and new comfortable trains<snip>"

'Comfortable trains' is a bit of a self-troll, given that the DfT» (Department for Transport - about) specced those IEP (Intercity Express Program / Project.) trains & seats, yes?

Mark
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« Reply #88 on: December 01, 2022, 11:01:33 »

Picked up by the BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-63819582

It will make my life much easier from Carmarthen but still not something I felt I needed.
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« Reply #89 on: December 01, 2022, 11:26:55 »

"...opens up the Great Western Main Line to competition for the first time."

What about GoAhead's Thames Trains before they were gobbled up by FirstGroup? GWML (Great Western Main Line) 'competition' on services between Paddington - Didcot and Oxford - Bristol TM(resolve).
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