Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[grahame]

We used to run a 24x7 business, with the most work of the week in the hotel  being on Sundays. Our team comprised people with various preferences but everyone knew when they joined that it was every day. 

Everyone knew when they joined the railway Sunday’s was outside the working wek, that’s the contract.

Just reporting experience and saying that not everyone wants a day off each weekend

True. But current service disruption would indicate people like having their Saturdays and Sundays off

Indeed - we had the huge benefit of people knowing before they joined us what the job entailed.  Well actually not - it turned out to be a longer are far more permanent job than we planned.

[TaplowGreen]

We used to run a 24x7 business, with the most work of the week in the hotel  being on Sundays. Our team comprised people with various preferences but everyone knew when they joined that it was every day. 

Everyone knew when they joined the railway Sunday’s was outside the working wek, that’s the contract.

Just reporting experience and saying that not everyone wants a day off each weekend

True. But current service disruption would indicate people like having their Saturdays and Sundays off

Aren't Saturdays part of the working week? Presumably staff are rostered for these services? Is there just a general shortage of staff or is it a workforce management issue?

Have there been a lot of retirements or other departures?

Surely we can't have a situation developing where the whole weekend is characterised by mass cancellations due to staff absence?

I'm sure everyone likes having Saturdays and Sundays off but there is a service to be provided?

[a-driver]

Aren't Saturdays part of the working week? Presumably staff are rostered for these services? Is there just a general shortage of staff or is it a workforce management issue?

There’s not a shortage of staff, there’s a shortage of fully trained staff; then there’s the potential to have staff off sick, failed medicals, maternity leave etc etc or off trains for operating incidents. This is factored in but this case fluctuate.

Have there been a lot of retirements or other departures?

I don’t know. If you’re ex-BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) staff I know you don’t have to give much notice should you wish to retire, a matter of weeks. 

Surely we can't have a situation developing where the whole weekend is characterised by mass cancellations due to staff absence?

I think this has been mentioned before, block week leave is all rostered in, the occasional day leave can be requested but will only a certain number will be authorised depending on the depot size. Some depots may only authorise two drivers daily leave. 

I'm sure everyone likes having Saturdays and Sundays off but there is a service to be provided?

Agreed, tell that to the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about)! 

[IndustryInsider]

Are you being offered a Vote? 

Well, er, no.  I’ve read the joint communication from the negotiating teams and understand where we are with the process. 

A fair way until any offer might go to a vote.

Unless the negotiators are lying, and I can see no reason why they would.

Though I’m all ears if you have any evidence that the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) have rejected a deal that’s not just gossip and hearsay?

[a-driver]

Are you being offered a Vote? 

Well, er, no.  I’ve read the joint communication from the negotiating teams and understand where we are with the process. 

A fair way until any offer might go to a vote.

Unless the negotiators are lying, and I can see no reason why they would.

Though I’m all ears if you have any evidence that the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) have rejected a deal that’s not just gossip and hearsay?

No evidence that I can post. 

I to have seen the latest joint communication.  I would have grave concerns regarding the process if I was a GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) driver.  Let’s just say, your DDC isn’t as strong as it use to be. 

[IndustryInsider]

No evidence that I can post. 

Just as I suspected.

[a-driver]

No evidence that I can post. 

Just as I suspected.

Glad to have met your expectations. 

[plymothian]

Do not travel to be issued this Sunday 13 July between Westbury - Weymouth & Westbury - Swindon and an emergency timetable in operation Westbury - Bristol due to crew availability.

Limited RRB^▸ (Rail Replacement Bus) will run Westbury - Swindon.

Customers who have already bought tickets for travel between Westbury and Weymouth this Sunday will be able to use them this Saturday 12, or Monday 14 July.

[Timmer]

Do not travel to be issued this Sunday 13 July between Westbury - Weymouth & Westbury - Swindon and an emergency timetable in operation Westbury - Bristol due to crew availability.

Limited RRB^▸ (Rail Replacement Bus) will run Westbury - Swindon.

Customers who have already bought tickets for travel between Westbury and Weymouth this Sunday will be able to use them this Saturday 12, or Monday 14 July.

Must be a lot of Westbury based crew are tennis fans with the men’s final on Sunday.

[Timmer]

https://www.gwr.com/sunday-disruption

Travelling by train this Sunday? Important information

We expect disruption on some routes this Sunday because of crew availability. 

No services will operate on the following routes on Sunday 13 July and customers should not attempt to travel between:

Westbury and Weymouth (No bus replacement able to operate)
Swindon and Westbury (A very limited bus replacement will operate)
A reduced, amended timetable will also be in place for trains between: 

Westbury and Bristol Temple Meads
On this route, customers should change their plans if possible and only travel if necessary. Fewer trains will run, and those that do will be extremely busy. Some further services may also be cancelled or delayed at short notice. 

Because of the late-notice changes, and the complexity of updating timetable systems, journey planners will not show changes correctly before Sunday morning.

With high temperatures expected, we’re reminding all customers to plan ahead and travel prepared:

Stay hydrated – bring a refillable water bottle
Check before you travel – services may be busier or subject to change
Allow extra time – especially during the hottest parts of the day

Your comfort and safety are our priority. Please check live updates before setting off and take care in the heat.

If you have already bought tickets between Westbury and Weymouth for this Sunday 13 July, these will be valid on Saturday 12 or Monday 14 July, or if you do not travel you can claim a full refund at GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway).com/refunds – subject to the terms and conditions of your ticket type.  

[grahame]

We expect disruption on some routes this Sunday because of crew availability. 

No services will operate on the following routes on Sunday 13 July and customers should not attempt to travel between:

Westbury and Weymouth (No bus replacement able to operate)
Swindon and Westbury (A very limited bus replacement will operate)
A reduced, amended timetable will also be in place for trains between: 

Westbury and Bristol Temple Meads
On this route, customers should change their plans if possible and only travel if necessary. Fewer trains will run, and those that do will be extremely busy. Some further services may also be cancelled or delayed at short notice. 

Because of the late-notice changes, and the complexity of updating timetable systems, journey planners will not show changes correctly before Sunday morning.

That is not "disruption" - it's a complete cancellation of all trains on certain lines.   I see no exceptional circumstances offered in the explanation and I am appalled - by of course my appellation does no good what so ever for the passengers.

[bradshaw]

From Twitter/X

  No trains on Sunday on Weymouth/Swindon to Westbury route. Sources at @GWRHelp say at last timetable change, management took away Weymouth route knowledge for Bristol drivers. There is an extensive sickness situation at Westbury depot, leaving no cover for the Weymouth route.

(https://x.com/chimewhistle/status/1943976506255921278?s=61&t=VlafMC5gF9tidw36b1Y8JQ)

Is there still a GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) crew depot at Weymouth?

[rogerw]

Is there still a GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) crew depot at Weymouth?

No

[Timmer]

And:
https://x.com/chimewhistle/status/1943983000024142016?s=61

.@GWRHelp People saying that staff want the w'end off are mistaken.Sources say that reasons trains are cancelled are because management has withdrawn route knowledge from Bristol based drivers and Westbury depot doesn't have enough guards.These are not problems created by crews

Anyone able to explain the benefits of GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) doing this from a PASSENGER point of view? So far since the summer timetable change in May, the Heart of Wessex line reliability has gone down with trains either starting or terminating at Westbury.

See: https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=30417.msg363068
and https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=30356.0

[Wizard]

From Twitter/X

  No trains on Sunday on Weymouth/Swindon to Westbury route. Sources at @GWRHelp say at last timetable change, management took away Weymouth route knowledge for Bristol drivers. There is an extensive sickness situation at Westbury depot, leaving no cover for the Weymouth route.

(https://x.com/chimewhistle/status/1943976506255921278?s=61&t=VlafMC5gF9tidw36b1Y8JQ)

Is there still a GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) crew depot at Weymouth?

Yes, but guards only, and there are only a few of them down there. Taking Weymouth (and Gloucester) off Bristol drivers and Melksham off Gloucester drivers certainly raised a few eyebrows in May.