tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post5572371191543402820..comments2024-03-25T22:17:35.616+00:00Comments on Public Transport Experience: Omnibological Archaeology - Scarborough (2)fatbusblokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833340546527596517noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-18425417683849775602018-06-03T10:41:34.087+01:002018-06-03T10:41:34.087+01:00GTR advertised for drivers at Gillingham in summer...GTR advertised for drivers at Gillingham in summer 2016, so they knew they had to staff the route at least then, almost 2 years ago, because I applied at the time - so, had they taken on enough drivers at that point they would be ready with them now, so I'm afraid the "only recently" argument doesn't wash...<br /><br />SouthEastern drivers at most Metro depots sign at Least London Bridge to Gillingham, and some of those from Orpington and Victoria also sign Thameslink's route all the way through the core to Luton and Bedford, so seeing as they are both GoVia companies then some scope for moving or borrowing staff temporarily or more permanently should have also been perfectly possible to arrange, with minimal additional route or traction requirements... (those Orpington drivers at least also signing the class 700's because they ALREADY work thameslink sevenoaks services in a subcontracting/borrowing drivers arrangement that ALREADY EXISTS between the two TOCs)<br /><br />FBB's prediction that what journey planner showed yesterday, within 24 hours of his request for train times, would not be running has of course turned out to be quite correct..... but right up until approx 5am this morning the wrong trains were shown. Thereafter his 1/2hourly service to London suddenly disappeared to be replaced by an hourly shuttle, and only as far as Dartford, though if you look on the thameslink website in the "weekend engineering work" section right NOW it still clearly states there will be "trains on Sunday operating between London Blackfriars and Rainham. Trains will also be diverted via an alternative route and not call at all intermediate stations between London Bridge and Dartford. Trains will however, call additionally at Lewisham and Blackheath." <br /><br />Those planning an impromptu trip to Lewisham or Blackheath today with their 700 spotters guides, despite the statement above, shouldn't bother - there won't be any....Mackayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10780016135780613962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-4011702406034107102018-06-03T09:37:13.863+01:002018-06-03T09:37:13.863+01:00The "East Yorkshire" garage carries West...The "East Yorkshire" garage carries West Yorkshire's name too, to the right of the doorway. And most of the buses inside are West Yorks ones, distinguishable by their "tin bible" destination displays.Shieldsmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00197794322283545552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-33347533981666564132018-06-03T07:12:50.301+01:002018-06-03T07:12:50.301+01:00One of the problems with the Rainham service that ...One of the problems with the Rainham service that it *hasn't* been in the planning for very long.<br />Trains to Rainham were added when it was realised that there was insufficient capacity in the Croydon area for the proposed Thameslink service levels. The pair of services is that which was originally planned to operate to Caterham.<br />As a result, Thameslink had only recently started to recruit Kent-based drivers, and doesn't have enough. Nor, because it is a new route, do other Thameslink drivers have much operating knowledge of the line(s) to Rainham.<br />The upshot has been the appalling service highlighted. In fairness, Thameslink recognised Higham was going to be affected, and the bus has been scheduled since before the timetable started.<br />But what is not good is the ad hoc way that Thameslink cancellations are taking place. It would be far better for all concerned to announce that the Rainham route is suspended, so everyone's expectations are managed accordingly, rather than Thameslink's current advice, which is to check the National Rail journey planner no more than 24 hours in advance.<br />Of the trains shown calling at Higham, some only ran between Rainham and Dartford. There are numerous instances of trains reaching various points and having no relief driver, or reaching the end of the driver's route knowledge.<br />There are lots of reasons for the atrocious introduction, though no one party is wholly to blame - DfT, Network Rail, GTR and even previous franchise holder First have all contributed to the farce. It will no doubt become a text book example of how not to do it, though behind all the timetable replanning, a lot of Southern services are now running at high levels of reliability. The same can no longer be said for the Great Northern route.Man of Kentnoreply@blogger.com