Southampton area rail replacement bus services 16th October 2022

[whole diary]

[Mark A]

Reports via the web site of a little blue birdy indicates that SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) passengers are having a bit of a mare today with engineering-work-related rail replacement bus provision organised by the rail company.

Mark

[ChrisB]

There was a similar problem last week when the bus operator failed to provide the required number of buses & paid for taxis to complete journeys.

RRS is becoming a problem for this reason & further work needs doing by TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) & ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road, formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) as to the way forward. Bus companies just don't have drivers hanging around awaiting overtime anymore. Just enough to cover the day-to-day contracts

[Surrey 455]

My journey to Epsom today involved a rickety old London bus provided by SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) heading towards Worcester Park. The engine cut out at Leatherhead and couldn't be started again. Fortunately a newer bus provided by Southern wasn't far behind heading towards Sutton and I was able to complete my journey on that railway replacement bus replacement bus.

Coming home, the broken down bus was still at Leatherhead, the engine compartment open and being looked at presumably by the owners. They didn't look like mechanics and were taking photos. I wonder if it will still be there tomorrow.

[ray951]

There was an announcement at the Southampton vs West Ham game today that there were not enough drivers for the rail replacement buses and that supporters needed to make their own way from Southampton to Eastleigh.

That would mean 100's (maybe 1000's) of supporters trying to find their own way; which might be just okay for locals but feel sorry for those from West Ham.

What is the point of a public transport system that just tells it's customers tough luck you are on your own.

[TaplowGreen]

There was an announcement at the Southampton vs West Ham game today that there were not enough drivers for the rail replacement buses and that supporters needed to make their own way from Southampton to Eastleigh.

That would mean 100's (maybe 1000's) of supporters trying to find their own way; which might be just okay for locals but feel sorry for those from West Ham.

What is the point of a public transport system that just tells it's customers tough luck you are on your own.

That's utterly appalling.

Who takes responsibility for this farce?

[Timmer]

There was an announcement at the Southampton vs West Ham game today that there were not enough drivers for the rail replacement buses and that supporters needed to make their own way from Southampton to Eastleigh.

That would mean 100's (maybe 1000's) of supporters trying to find their own way; which might be just okay for locals but feel sorry for those from West Ham.

What is the point of a public transport system that just tells it's customers tough luck you are on your own.

That’s pathetic but not surprising.

The contempt shown by the railways towards its customers this year has reached new lows.

[CyclingSid]

T%he announcements I heard at Basingstoke on Saturday said the problem was due to a national shortage of bus drivers.

[grahame]

T%he announcements I heard at Basingstoke on Saturday said the problem was due to a national shortage of bus drivers.

At times, I feel our fragmented public transport network is very good at pointing fingers away from itself!

[ellendune]

T%he announcements I heard at Basingstoke on Saturday said the problem was due to a national shortage of bus drivers.

At times, I feel our fragmented public transport network is very good at pointing fingers away from itself!

I remember in the 1970's in Oxford there were always problems with buses when the car factory was busy as either the pay or conditions were better there.  With unemployment at a historic low nationally I am sure the same applies now, especially in prosperous areas like Basingstoke.