Chris M
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Post by Chris M on Apr 17, 2008 12:37:04 GMT
While waiting at Debden station yesterday, I heard what was probably the least informative reason I've heard for delays. There were, apparently, "Minor delays on the Central Line due to earlier service difficulties".
Later on on my journey I heard a different station (I forget which) announce that the culprit was an earlier signal failure at Mile End, was this just not known about at Debden?
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Post by Tubeboy on Apr 17, 2008 12:56:14 GMT
Obviously thats what the station super selected on his system.
Signal failure is a generic one and covers a wide range of problems.
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Post by superteacher on Apr 17, 2008 13:31:58 GMT
The Central had one of those days. There was a second signal failure at Bethnal Green after the one at Mile End. And as usual, they put the "Good Service" tag when, quite clearly, it wasn't. Gaps of 4 and 6 minutes at 5 o clock eastbound is never a good service. Then at 6 o clock, minor delays was back due to lack of available stock! They just make it up I'm sure!
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Chris M
Global Moderator
Forum Quizmaster
Always happy to receive quiz ideas and pictures by email or PM
Posts: 19,773
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Post by Chris M on Apr 17, 2008 13:45:10 GMT
As I started my journey at about 6:20, it would be the latter minor delays I was experiencing. Although a 6-7 minute wait (I missed a train by about 1-2 minutes, and there was a 5 minute wait indicated when I got onto the platform) for a westbound train at Debden is not really much of a delay - a 20 minute wait can be a "good service" at weekends.
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Post by Tubeboy on Apr 17, 2008 16:34:24 GMT
Ahh, probably defective codes and burnt out motors I would say, shame they cant build some 95ts for the Central, they are great trains apart from the graffiti, seals coming away, doors failing regularly...err, dirty and the DVA is a bit excessive.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2008 18:36:53 GMT
With service status messages you must remember they describe the line in general - rather than the service from a particular station at a particular time. You can have SEVERE delays and have a train every 2 mins between say West Ruislip and North Acton, but have a train every 20 mins between White City and Liverpool Street. (until all those trains coming down from West Ruislip filter through). Additionally you can have a MINOR DELAY and not see a train at your end of the line for the past 20 mins. Sadly once upon a time, staff used their common sense and often changed the manual boards to reflect reality - however doing so loses the station mystery shopper points and I know locally such practice is now banned by the managers  |
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Post by cetacean on Apr 17, 2008 18:49:23 GMT
Ahh, probably defective codes and burnt out motors I would say, shame they cant build some 95ts for the Central, they are great trains apart from the graffiti, seals coming away, doors failing regularly...err, dirty and the DVA is a bit excessive. Weird. Angel (of all places) had a big sign with a personal apology from the Central Line controller blaming a failed train between Stratford and Bethnal Green. |
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Post by Tubeboy on Apr 17, 2008 19:24:29 GMT
We keep the "unofficial" or local status on our boards, we lose a few marks, but saves the frontline staff getting it, if officially there is a good service, but an 8 minute gap.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2008 19:45:00 GMT
Central Line apology poster to be displayed at ALL zone 1 stations.
TB - commonsense dictates what you suggest. Sadly our duty manager lacks a huge dose of that. I've seen him moan at a staff member who dared put 2000 on an update board at 1959.....
Quality
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Post by superteacher on Apr 17, 2008 22:16:16 GMT
The problem is that nobody really knows what minor delays, severe delays actually mean. They are totally ineffective terms, and tell people nothing.
I much preferred what they used to say i.e. you may experience extended gaps between trains.
It is true that even with severe delays, you might get 5 trains in 10 minutes coming through your particular station. I often hear people say things like "severe delays - what are they on about?!" Yet 10 minutes later, there is a huge gap in the service, which of course they don't see because they got a train easily!
I've always hated the term good service - again, it's meaningless spin, and certainly does not bear any connection as to whether a line is running its timetabled service. I wonder when the last time the Central actually ran a full service in the evening peak?
If you hate crowds of people, the Central never runs a good service during the peak, even at 30tph!
EDIT: What time was the failed train - I don't remember that being announced.
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