Author Topic: Train updates, news and information (Read 328962 times)

Editor · « **Reply #660 on:** August 27, 2016, 07:56:36 am »

Quote from: Angel on August 27, 2016, 07:43:10 am

I spoke to someone who works for GN Rail this week and they said Driver jobs aren't advertised. A friend also said he'd searched recently to see the possibilities of becoming a driver but couldn't find jobs advertised anywhere either.
I know 'crew' probably means more than just the drivers but that would be a start.

Interesting. Last night they replied to my tweet with this.

@bpnewsletter Information about what we are doing about this can be found here: https://t.co/lKkUdSi3XX. M
— Great Northern (@GNRailUK) August 26, 2016

Which points to this article.

Bringing in more drivers for Thameslink and Great Northern : Thameslink and Great Northern

Angel · « **Reply #661 on:** August 27, 2016, 08:03:22 am »

Maybe you should try asking them where you can apply for a job as a driver and see the process involved!
Unlike where I work, you would probably get 'sick pay'!

Editor · « **Reply #662 on:** August 27, 2016, 08:49:38 am »

@gplala Sorry, can't find the application form on the link shared by @GNRailUK last night. https://t.co/q34pdnoZiU pic.twitter.com/LLfPeCmGWJ
— bpnewsletter (@bpnewsletter) August 27, 2016

Editor · « **Reply #663 on:** August 27, 2016, 02:55:22 pm »

Another drive to the station or taxi then!

$:-\$

Editor · « **Reply #664 on:** August 27, 2016, 09:08:14 pm »

enough said

Editor · « **Reply #665 on:** August 28, 2016, 07:29:51 pm »

Angel · « **Reply #666 on:** August 28, 2016, 08:46:43 pm »

I've just checked the link GN Rail posted on Twitter about delay repay and it says they're experiencing high volumes of claims at the moment!
This is the worst I've ever known it.
Do you know when their franchise expires?

Nobby · « **Reply #667 on:** August 28, 2016, 09:11:41 pm »

Just looked at this evening's "service". The 21.14, 22.14 and 22.44 to Moorgate have been cancelled. The 21.42 and 22.42 to WGC have also been cancelled. GN has almost cancelled our Sunday service entirely!

Angel · « **Reply #668 on:** August 28, 2016, 09:22:40 pm »

I'm almost looking forward to a weekend of engineering works as at least the replacement buses seem to run.
These delays are putting me off going out at weekends.

Nimbus · « **Reply #669 on:** August 28, 2016, 09:48:39 pm »

Here's some background reading. GN gets mentioned in passing, but they illustrate what's preoccupying GN management elsewhere at the moment.

http://www.londonreconnections.com/2016/railway-roulette/
http://www.londonreconnections.com/2016/last-stand-old-guard/

Editor · « **Reply #670 on:** August 29, 2016, 07:55:23 am »

Quote from: Nimbus on August 28, 2016, 09:48:39 pm

Here's some background reading. GN gets mentioned in passing, but they illustrate what's preoccupying GN management elsewhere at the moment.
http://www.londonreconnections.com/2016/railway-roulette/
http://www.londonreconnections.com/2016/last-stand-old-guard/

Thanks for sharing those two articles Nimbus - interesting reads.

I guess that when GTR originally pitched to run the service they were aware of many of the issues mentioned - which include growing passenger numbers, the state of the rail infrastructure, and the required staffing levels to run the service being expected/promised.

Their research for the successful bid would, I presume, have been detailed. I would be surprised if they didn’t have to address such points in their proposal which was later accepted, and which, perhaps, included an outline for a timetable which, increasingly, they seem unable to honour.

It seems to me that whatever company runs our local services they will have to address the same problems, and with shareholder/stakeholder demands and expectations high they will always be between a rock and a hard place.

With public transport being so crucial for getting people from A to B in order to keep ithe country ticking over, is it wise to risk it in the hands of the profit-focused private sector?

On a personal level, all I know is that when friends and family want to visit, or I need to get to London or to an airport, I now expect delays and cancellations and, frequently, have to make alternative arrangements, which are costly.

The Govia Thameslink About Us page makes interesting reading and includes this promise for improvements.

Editor · « **Reply #671 on:** August 29, 2016, 09:37:51 am »

A local resident has just sent me the publicity Govia published in 2014 after being awarded the local franchise. It includes the introduction of cheaper advance fares, Oyster at Brookmans Park, and customer and stakeholder engagement.

<a href="http://www.brookmans.com/pdfs/Govia%20plans%202014.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.brookmans.com/pdfs/Govia%20plans%202014.pdf</a>

sasquartch · « **Reply #672 on:** August 29, 2016, 10:35:47 am »

To be fair to them using an Oyster card out to WGC was an aim and in conjunction with TFL - so not really in their hands.

The record for cancelled trains recently has been very poor. Last night alone there were at least 3 trains cancelled from around 10pm when I looked. Sure there were other cancellations too.

At what point can a season ticket holder be refunded when trains don't run I wonder ? Its not even as though a bus replacement service is offered, its just pot luck if your desired train runs.

Editor · « **Reply #673 on:** August 30, 2016, 05:18:09 pm »

Editor · « **Reply #674 on:** August 30, 2016, 09:08:00 pm »

Angel · « **Reply #675 on:** September 03, 2016, 11:22:43 am »

At present trains aren't running into Moorgate because of a signalling fault. Hopefully, only temporary but at least it looks like they are running which is something!!

Editor · « **Reply #676 on:** September 03, 2016, 04:22:35 pm »

For anyone planning to head into London for the evening, do check the departure board on the front of this site - they've started to cancel trains already.

Editor · « **Reply #677 on:** September 03, 2016, 09:36:35 pm »

Well at least the taxi drivers at Potters Bar station are smiling. Yet more cancellations and yet another £7 for a taxi home from Potters Bar. What a rubbish service from Great Northern.

Editor · « **Reply #678 on:** September 10, 2016, 11:44:09 am »

Wrong type of drizzle?

Editor · « **Reply #679 on:** September 11, 2016, 09:30:56 pm »

Trouble on the tracks again tonight. Tube/taxi solution?

Angel · « **Reply #680 on:** September 11, 2016, 10:41:29 pm »

For anyone who is delayed by more than 30 minutes, don't forget to claim 'delay repay'

http://www.thameslinkrailway.com/contact-us/delay-repay/claim-form/

Nobby · « **Reply #681 on:** September 15, 2016, 06:57:52 pm »

I claimed through the Delay Repay scheme for a journey on 15th August. Their automated response said Great Northern would contact me within 20 working days. Their website tells us not to chase them, promising a response within 20 working days.
Well it's now 22 working days and I haven't heard a thing.
Shocking service, dishonest customer communications - Great Northern really is an appalling company.
Perhaps our MP would like to intervene.....

Angel · « **Reply #682 on:** September 15, 2016, 07:09:37 pm »

Are you on Twitter Nobby? Often a good way to have a go as public.

Adrian · « **Reply #683 on:** September 15, 2016, 10:57:54 pm »

Quote from: Nobby on September 15, 2016, 06:57:52 pm

Well it's now 22 working days and I haven't heard a thing.

How Timely.

Today (15/09/16) I received a credit note for a late train. See attached.

It is dated 30/08/16 so spent 2 weeks lost in the system before hitting my door mat.
The actual date I submitted the claim was 01/08/16.

The payment is wrong as I had two tickets for the same train not one but their system can't cope with that. It is a derisory amount but the service is so poor it is more to register protest than to claim.

Nimbus · « **Reply #684 on:** September 15, 2016, 11:05:45 pm »

How do you redeem this, if you use unmanned stations?

Adrian · « **Reply #685 on:** September 15, 2016, 11:18:40 pm »

Claim here...... and be prepared to wait ..... and wait ...... and wait......

http://www.thameslinkrailway.com/contact-us/delay-repay/

Adrian · « **Reply #686 on:** September 15, 2016, 11:23:15 pm »

Quote from: Nimbus on September 15, 2016, 11:05:45 pm

How do you redeem this, if you use unmanned stations?

Pass ... perhaps once you have collected a few you could just ride the train without a ticket and when the revenue inspector stops you and issues an on-the-spot fine you could offer to pay in vouchers.

shads · « **Reply #687 on:** September 16, 2016, 10:58:16 am »

Just reading about the Landslide and derailment near Watford Junction. I have noticed over the last few years the systematic cutting down of trees from the railway banks. This maybe in an effort to reduce the effect of "leaves on the track" but it also makes me think the railway companies maybe giving themselves a bigger headache in the form of landslides as you no longer have the tree roots holding the soil together.

Angel · « **Reply #688 on:** September 17, 2016, 07:07:36 pm »

.... and so it begins again.

Angel · « **Reply #689 on:** September 17, 2016, 08:14:20 pm »

News:

Author Topic: Train updates, news and information (Read 328962 times)