|
|
Post by revupminster on Mar 24, 2020 14:00:14 GMT
When we did have split shifts of between 10- 12 hours they were sought after because you got paid for the whole time. It was annoying when as a relief you were sent to the other end of the line because there was no way to get home between shifts and what usually happened was you let the early turn go home early.
|
|
North End
Beneath Newington Causeway
Posts: 1,769
|
Post by North End on Mar 24, 2020 14:38:27 GMT
For the record, a brief summary of today's service.
In general the service is similar to yesterday, although it's fair to say all lines are slightly sparser then yesterday. For example at this moment yesterday the Victoria Line was running 14 trains, whereas today they are running 10. The Central is still lagging behind the others with again some large gaps visible through town, a 25-minute one again visible as I write this.
The Piccadilly continues to be the only line running their normal WTT service (as far as I can tell) which is still holding up reasonably well, although again with some gaps at times but nothing like we are seeing on the Central Line.
At present temporary timetables and duty schedules continue to be in the process of being drawn up, with some expectation for these to be implemented within a matter of a couple of weeks. Naturally this will to some extent be subject to events.
Atmosphere today is better with fewer "non essentials" hanging around and getting in the way, and a corresponding increase in the numbers of people respecting the guidance we've all been given, although there is still discontent regarding the situation in the early morning and morning peak. I was however *extremely* surprised to have my ticket checked on a GTR train coming into work, that's not respecting the 2 metre guidance and nor is it an "essential" activity.
|
|
|
|
Post by bruce on Mar 24, 2020 16:20:15 GMT
|
|
North End
Beneath Newington Causeway
Posts: 1,769
|
Post by North End on Mar 24, 2020 17:00:46 GMT
A very injudicious comment from the Health Secretary just now, intimating that he knows of "no reason" why LU can't increase the service they are running. Now I know transport is not his area, but that comment is still breathtaking in its ignorance.
With driver availability being fixed by those who are unavailable, the *only* way to increase the number of trains running is to either cut certain sections of line to increase the frequency elsewhere, thin out the service at certain times to increase frequency at other times, or look to increase the supply of drivers.
Training and the like has already been cut which makes increasing the supply of drivers almost impossible. There may be scope to offer people the chance to cancel annual leave. Failing that there's a handful of staff licensed as emergency drivers, an absolute last resort would be to use them (it would require some paperwork holes to be squared up) - although in some cases I'd have my reservations! One problem would of course be that these staff tend to be operational managers, who of course have their own coverage issues to contend with.
Only other option is some kind of emergency RDW agreement, which again would require quite a bit of discussion to make it a reality.
|
|
|
|
Post by goldenarrow on Mar 24, 2020 18:46:28 GMT
What a mess. The current policy isn’t even out of care for the construction industry, those builders are just the ants for the multi-billion pound corporations who accrued their wealth on a business model so feeble it would simply collapse under the slightest turbulence.
To think that those genuinely in need to work should be put at risk for an industry that lets be frank, is notorious for cutting corners, is madness.
|
|
|
|
Post by MoreToJack on Mar 24, 2020 19:00:02 GMT
Met line services changing from tomorrow. Amersham and Chesham services will now drop down to hourly, both running through to Baker Street. The Amershams will run all stations, the Cheshams fast all the way.
|
|
|
|
Post by jimbo on Mar 24, 2020 20:06:43 GMT
Does this include resignalling works on the sub-surface lines? |
|
|
|
Post by Dstock7080 on Mar 24, 2020 20:41:20 GMT
Does this include resignalling works on the sub-surface lines? It hasn’t stopped the installation team from erecting antenna masts and axle counters between Acton Town and Ealing Broadway. |
|
|
|
Post by sawb on Mar 24, 2020 21:06:02 GMT
TfL apparently to stop all non-sfety critical work on northern line extension and Crossrail. Anything concrete on this?
Edit: apologies, didn't realise this was old news.
|
|
|
|
Post by MoreToJack on Mar 24, 2020 21:07:11 GMT
Already posted up thread.
|
|
|
|
Post by spsmiler on Mar 25, 2020 0:39:07 GMT
Two recent tweets which may be of interest
|
|
|
|
Post by tut on Mar 25, 2020 1:41:29 GMT
If anybody's interested (they do run over the Met to Aylesbury (Vale Parkway) after all), Chiltern have been operating a considerably reduced and heavily revised timetable, instead of their usual intricate, carefully crafted gem. It seems (I think) to consist of a core service of one train to Aylesbury via High Wycombe (stopping at ALL stations apart from the Sudbury duo), one train to Moor Street (stopping at High Wycombe, Princes Risborough, Haddenham and Thame Parkway and then almost all stations from Bicester North), one train to Oxford (stopping at Gerrards Cross, Beaconsfield, High Wycombe and all stations from Haddenham and Thame Parkway), one to Aylesbury Vale Parkway via the Met (stopping at all stations) and one train from Leamington Spa to Stratford Upon Avon (stopping at almost all stations, I think Warwick Parkway is the only exception).
This has affected the freights quite a bit, primarily as a result of the single line between Princes Risborough and Aylesbury, but I have to say everyone's been working really well to keep everything on track.
|
|
|
|
Post by brigham on Mar 25, 2020 8:39:00 GMT
Chiltern appear to be approaching the service levels we accept as 'normal' here in N-East England.
|
|
|
|
Post by spsmiler on Mar 25, 2020 10:57:23 GMT
Social distancing at an undisclosed Underground station!
|
|
|
|
Post by rsdworker on Mar 25, 2020 14:29:01 GMT
thats strange - man with pole with card attached to open gates
|
|
roythebus
Pleased to say the restoration of BEA coach MLL738 is as complete as it can be, now restoring MLL721
Posts: 1,275
|
Post by roythebus on Mar 25, 2020 16:50:35 GMT
TfL apparently to stop all non-sfety critical work on northern line extension and Crossrail. Anything concrete on this? Edit: apologies, didn't realise this was old news. No apologies for the bad pun either...  |
|
|
|
Post by goldenarrow on Mar 25, 2020 18:33:32 GMT
London City, Gatwick and Luton Airports to begin close to all passenger traffic from tonight. Heathrow is looking to operate all remaining flights from T2. Upwards of £30 billion of UK based aircraft now grounded.
|
|
|
|
Post by jimbo on Mar 25, 2020 19:15:52 GMT
Does this include resignalling works on the sub-surface lines? It hasn’t stopped the installation team from erecting antenna masts and axle counters between Acton Town and Ealing Broadway. But will they still be working after this announcement about stopping projects? |
|
|
|
Post by superteacher on Mar 25, 2020 20:00:14 GMT
The Piccadilly line, hitherto the least affected, seems to have succumbed in terms of service levels. Looks very sparse.
|
|
|
|
Post by PiccNT on Mar 25, 2020 22:18:02 GMT
The Piccadilly line, hitherto the least affected, seems to have succumbed in terms of service levels. Looks very sparse. Non-Corona related! We had a signal failure that somewhat screwed the whole line up. We'll be back bigger and stronger tomorrow :-) |
|
|
|
Post by spsmiler on Mar 26, 2020 0:00:22 GMT
As I understand it the police are now located at many stations interrogating passengers to try and weed out those whose journeys do not under the 'essential' category.
At present all they can do is suggest that they hope not to see the people tomorrow, but soon they will have legal powers to fine people who they feel should not be travelling - and possible more.
|
|
North End
Beneath Newington Causeway
Posts: 1,769
|
Post by North End on Mar 26, 2020 0:44:18 GMT
As I understand it the police are now located at many stations interrogating passengers to try and weed out those whose journeys do not under the 'essential' category. At present all they can do is suggest that they hope not to see the people tomorrow, but soon they will have legal powers to fine people who they feel should not be travelling - and possible more. I wouldn’t say they’re at many stations and they’re not interrogating people (yet?!), but there’s certainly a presence in places. Some staff are also taking it upon themselves to dissuade people. Having said all that, there are clearly some non-essential journeys still happening - this evening I saw a whole group of youths change from a Thameslink train onto the Met Line at Farringdon, needless to say they came off the Rainham-Luton train... Another group now rather conspicuous is of course the homeless. Something needs to be done in that respect as there is still little evidence of distancing here, and with everyone rather stressed at the moment it’s only a matter of time before one gets duffed up for getting too close to someone. I was pestered at close range numerous times during a short walk from Kings Cross to Euston, whilst trying to be civil about it by the 10th time my patience was starting to run thin. On the positive side the air is now noticeably cleaner in central London, and it really was a pleasure to be able to hear birds singing. Indeed in the backstreets still the moment it’s so silent one could hear a pin drop. Some inspiration here for how London *could* be. As regards today’s service, things were much the same as yesterday with the exception of the changed Met Line service, and the unrelated Picc Line problems both described elsewhere. Things continue to be tight in terms of staff availability, with quite a bit of juggling now required to cover key operational positions. I’ve been begged to do overtime next week, which after some thought was declined - I will have done my bit for 7 days this week, I’ll be doing the same the week after next. |
|
|
|
Post by aslefshrugged on Mar 26, 2020 4:16:27 GMT
The local ASLEF rep confirmed yesterday that a new timetable and roster will ne introduced on 5 April so I guess the unions have agreed to waive the 29 day rule.
|
|
|
|
Post by brigham on Mar 26, 2020 8:26:58 GMT
A permanent switch to 'working from home' may ensue, at least for part of the working week. The 'need' to come into London may prove to be merely a 'habit', in many cases.
|
|
|
|
Post by whistlekiller2000 on Mar 26, 2020 10:55:43 GMT
Please, follow the guidelines of the OP. We do not want to see opinions of what posters think about public figures or others for that matter as it bears no relation to the transport impact which is the only discussion permitted on this thread. Likewise, generalities about the Coronavirus situation will also be removed. There are plenty of other social networking and forum sites available for that. I've made two edits and removed one post this morning for those reasons. Many thanks. 
|
|
|
|
Post by MoreToJack on Mar 26, 2020 13:45:28 GMT
Met line back to the “version 1” timetable today after issues with the revisions to yesterday’s service.
Fully expecting this to be changed again due to operational constraints of the Watford-Chesham service, but we shall see...
|
|
North End
Beneath Newington Causeway
Posts: 1,769
|
Post by North End on Mar 26, 2020 14:19:23 GMT
Temporary timetable released for us. Essentially a 4-minute service Mondays to Saturdays with trains from the northern branches alternating between Morden via Bank and Kennington via Charing Cross. Sunday service is similar but every 5 minutes instead. Haven't seen any duty schedules yet, so can't comment on what's happening in that respect. Apparently provision has been made for self-contained cancellations if required. I believe the plan is for this timetable to be effective from the week after next.
Anecdotally the general feeling is that this level of service will prove ambitious, no doubt time will tell on that score. One way or other, considerable credit due to the schedules team for knocking all this together in the circumstances.
|
|
|
|
Post by d7666 on Mar 26, 2020 14:59:22 GMT
As I understand it the police are now located at many stations interrogating passengers to try and weed out those whose journeys do not under the 'essential' category. At present all they can do is suggest that they hope not to see the people tomorrow, but soon they will have legal powers to fine people who they feel should not be travelling - and possible more. I wouldn’t say they’re at many stations and they’re not interrogating people (yet?!), but there’s certainly a presence in places. Some staff are also taking it upon themselves to dissuade people. Having said all that, there are clearly some non-essential journeys still happening - this evening I saw a whole group of youths change from a Thameslink train onto the Met Line at Farringdon, needless to say they came off the Rainham-Luton train... Another group now rather conspicuous is of course the homeless. Something needs to be done in that respect as there is still little evidence of distancing here, and with everyone rather stressed at the moment it’s only a matter of time before one gets duffed up for getting too close to someone. I was pestered at close range numerous times during a short walk from Kings Cross to Euston, whilst trying to be civil about it by the 10th time my patience was starting to run thin. On the positive side the air is now noticeably cleaner in central London, and it really was a pleasure to be able to hear birds singing. Indeed in the backstreets still the moment it’s so silent one could hear a pin drop. Some inspiration here for how London *could* be. As regards today’s service, things were much the same as yesterday with the exception of the changed Met Line service, and the unrelated Picc Line problems both described elsewhere. Things continue to be tight in terms of staff availability, with quite a bit of juggling now required to cover key operational positions. I’ve been begged to do overtime next week, which after some thought was declined - I will have done my bit for 7 days this week, I’ll be doing the same the week after next. I'm "essential" and daily SX commuting albeit off peak to HSCC. I've seen more beggars on board LU trains this week than before. Of 7 journies (9 trains so far when counting changing at Eearls Court) 4 different ones. Something is not being policed somewhere - yes I do understand the shortages and reluctance of staff to challenge; nonetheless, something is wrong somewhere. There is also a particularly aggressive "The Big Issue" seller hovering around on pavements outside both Hammersmith stations and directly approaches people. Comes near me again I'm going to have to report it, be he homeless or not. |
|
|
|
Post by superteacher on Mar 26, 2020 21:15:53 GMT
Fascinating though it is, let’s be careful not to drift into a general longer term discussion about working from home. Let’s keep this thread to the more immediate implications. Thanks all.
|
|
|
|
Post by theblackferret on Mar 26, 2020 22:15:27 GMT
This wouldn't be anything that hasn't already been happening - the last decade has seen a massive growth in local and contra-peak commuting in certain areas. For many the reality would be choosing between a commute to London by train, or spend an hour sitting in traffic on something like the A1(M) and/or on gridlocked roads surrounding commercial parks. Somewhere like Welwyn Garden City is now pretty gridlocked (not congested but gridlocked) at certain times of day due to business parks, which 20 years ago would have been unheard of. Likewise try catching a contra-peak train to somewhere like Cambridge, Guildford or Crawley - chances are it'll be almost as crowded as those heading in to London, albeit the peak being more confined to the traditional rush *hour* rather than for several hours like the London peak. I'm not suggesting they go that far away from home. In answer to what you reported, I suggested those unable to work from home due to distraction could make use of local or near local office blocks. That way they'd still be 'going to work' as the people you spoke to said they preferred, but without entering the city and in a lot of cases with no need to use a car either. Those capable of concentrating at home would not have to go anywhere at all. theblackferret , I don't think the fact that a similar idea tried 60 years ago unsuccessfully in a radically different work environment lacking computers, internet or easily accessible databases bears much comparison to be honest, and like you say I suspect there will be a growing re-evaluation of how we conduct our lives and our transport to and from work after this. It could mean that money earmarked for even greater and more complex transport projects in London, once this current crisis has been paid for, becomes available to improve other parts of the country instead. This is the impact I believe it will have but as with anything, we can but speculate and history will be the judge. Yes, you are not alone in suspecting, once this is over, re-evaluation may be the order of the day! In the meantime, and concentrating on what is, I'll say again I hope 'our lot' will remain as unburdened by people who think they must travel as is possible, because, haven taken part in clapping for our NHS people tonight, I don't intend to forget the people who are trying to keep our NHS heroes moving, because at a time like this, it bears repeating! |
|
