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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2015 16:05:23 GMT
One this I've noticed of late is that the online TfL service statuses list delays as either a 'customer incident' or 'signal failure'. Have the powers that be simplified what info is given out? In particular it seems that a 'person under a train' status has been replaced with the generic customer incident, because that sad occurrence hasn't cropped up in a while? (Don't worry, I don't want a discussion on one unders, I know this isn't the place).
As an average Joe Public on the tube I'd be grateful for a bit more info about delays as experience has taught me customer incidents can be sorted relatively quickly, or can suspend lines for a while!
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Post by domh245 on Feb 18, 2015 16:26:24 GMT
My understanding is that they have simplified the info, most likely because customers don't need to know the specifics of an incident, just that there was one and the result it has had on the service. Something else that they've started doing is saying "severe delays whilst we fix a signal failure" - is there really a need to say that "we" are fixing it, it sounds a bit cheesy in my opinion, but I suppose it reassures customers that TfL are attempting to rectify the situation.
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Post by superteacher on Feb 18, 2015 16:27:03 GMT
I've heard "person on the track" used to describe a one under.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2015 16:30:53 GMT
Something else that they've started doing is saying "severe delays whilst we fix a signal failure" - is there really a need to say that "we" are fixing it, it sounds a bit cheesy in my opinion, but I suppose it reassures customers that TfL are attempting to rectify the situation. Particularly good when the failure is on a Network Rail section... I'm sure I read somewhere that they have stopped saying that there's been a person under a train on the advice of The Samaritans. I can't personally confirm that this is the case, though. |
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North End
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Post by North End on Feb 18, 2015 19:04:29 GMT
Something else that they've started doing is saying "severe delays whilst we fix a signal failure" - is there really a need to say that "we" are fixing it, it sounds a bit cheesy in my opinion, but I suppose it reassures customers that TfL are attempting to rectify the situation. Particularly good when the failure is on a Network Rail section... I'm sure I read somewhere that they have stopped saying that there's been a person under a train on the advice of The Samaritans. I can't personally confirm that this is the case, though. I don't know about the Samaritans advice bit, however I believe it has been noted that one unders seem to occur in clusters, so not publicising them as such I imagine would definitely be a good preventative measure. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2015 19:13:41 GMT
Particularly good when the failure is on a Network Rail section... I'm sure I read somewhere that they have stopped saying that there's been a person under a train on the advice of The Samaritans. I can't personally confirm that this is the case, though. I don't know about the Samaritans advice bit, however I believe it has been noted that one unders seem to occur in clusters, so not publicising them as such I imagine would definitely be a good preventative measure. Quite  On the downside, there's a tendency for most travellers to be a little more understanding about one unders than they are about other things, so I wonder whether the change has had any negative impact on the way the public responds and treats staff during disruptions caused by a one under. If the change works, though... |
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Post by su31 on Feb 19, 2015 10:15:03 GMT
It does appear that track circuit failures, (genuine) signal failures and even SPADs are covered by the generic 'Signal Failure' announcement these days. Personally I agree that the 'while we fix...' is cheesy. Especially when the track is owned by NR in certain cases. There was a short period of blaming NR (while Network Rail respond to a signal failure) but that too has stopped. Another one is 'while we help a person taken ill on a train' Personally, I think 'customer incident' is better.
There has been a lot of talk both for and against the change from 'person under a train' to 'person on the track'. Again, as already stated, the first example carries more weight when it comes to customers being given reasons for delays or service suspensions. The usual reply to the second example is "well, move them then!"
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Chris M
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Post by Chris M on Feb 19, 2015 11:11:34 GMT
The other day the message was "While we deal with a local power failure" (Ealing branch of the Central I think) which is pointless - are you dealing with the cause or the consequences? In what way is it being dealt with? As you say you fix signalling problems, why are you not fixing this?
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class411
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Post by class411 on Feb 19, 2015 17:57:40 GMT
I suppose we should be grateful that they don't do the whole: "We are working hard to restore your service, and thank you for your patience".
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Post by causton on Feb 19, 2015 22:30:21 GMT
Or the sarcastic lady who announces "We are *sorry* for the delay to your journey" which sounds completely like they've actually given up caring!
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Post by Tomcakes on Feb 22, 2015 21:21:47 GMT
On the Northern line which, as most readers of this site will be aware is now automatically operated without fixed signals, there are still "signal failures". At least they're not the Wrong Type of Signal!
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Post by Hassaan on Feb 26, 2015 1:34:34 GMT
They did it again yesterday. Broken down train at "Norwood" (!) which happened to be a Southern one, and they emphasised in several tweets that it was a "National Rail train"  . Yet again hiding the fact that London Overground is part of the National Rail network . |
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. Yet again hiding the fact that London Overground is part of the National Rail network 
