|
Pages: [1]
|
 |
|
 Author
|
Topic: First Great Western December 2007 Timetable Now Online (Read 3314 times)
|
|
|
|
Industry Insider
|
Just taken a look at the Cotswold Line service from December, as I don't think it will go down particularly well (any late amendements notwithstanding of course). An additional 08:01 down service from Oxford is provided, but surely without any infrastructure improvements this will be an all too regular cancellation like it was when it used to depart at 08:05 and there was any form of delay on the up peak services.
Also two up services have very long layovers at Evesham/Moreton totalling half an hour each, one of which is supposed to be an express from Hereford. Apart from adding to the journey time, it also means that there is very little 'give' in the timetable for when there is late running because they're waiting there for a reason! I can see the Cotswold Line performance getting worse if anything, but at least the refreshed HST's should offer adequate seating capacity.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Steve Bray
|
Industry Insider, I agree with your comments.
The 08.01 is a lesson that's not been learnt from 2 years ago. Expect to see the Charlbury Commuter blog erupt when the new timetable is introduced!!
Time and work permitting, in due course, I'll add my thoughts on the winter timetable, notwithstanding the devil of a job it is to produce a schedule to please everyone on that line. I'll hope to compare the timings of the old Cotswold and Malvern Express with the new train, which must be about 45 minutes to an hour longer than it was 10 years or so ago!!
At least Malvern will have a direct service to Brighton!!!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gwr2006
|
Don't forget that the local user group along the Cotswold Line (The Cotswold Line Promotion Group) has been working with FGW throughout the year on developing the new timetable. They are always very active at putting forward suggestions and have actually requested many of the changes that will be introduced in December. Don't lay the blame solely at FGW's door!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
WyvusArconius
|
From what ive been reading... and correct me if im wrong... they look as if they have slightly rejigged Melksham service times
Southbound - 06:43 and 19:11
Northbound - 07:17 and 19:47
minor changes im sure. and still not the improvement that is needed.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Industry Insider
|
Don't forget that the local user group along the Cotswold Line (The Cotswold Line Promotion Group) has been working with FGW throughout the year on developing the new timetable. They are always very active at putting forward suggestions and have actually requested many of the changes that will be introduced in December. Don't lay the blame solely at FGW's door!
Here's a more in-depth look by the Cotswold Line Promotion Group http://www.clpg.co.uk/newsDec%202007.htmIndeed, there are some positive aspects, especially additional down peak stops at Hanborough. Perhaps the CLPG will post its opinion on the changes as it has done before. Regardless of who's suggested what, FirstGroup operate the service and therefore any blame that may result from the changes WILL be layed at their door, like it or not! |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Graham Ellis
|
From what ive been reading... and correct me if im wrong... they look as if they have slightly rejigged Melksham service times
Southbound - 06:43 and 19:11
Northbound - 07:17 and 19:47
minor changes im sure. and still not the improvement that is needed.
The morning trains run even earlier (just a couple of minutes) and the evening train runs even later (again just a couple of minutes). This is in spite of strong input requesting that - if we must be limited to 2 trains a day - the timing should be later in teh morning and earlier in the evening. The three extra trains that were in the May drafts and much discussed - round trips from Salisbury to Swindon at 07:40, 10:30 and 13:30 have NOT materialised. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
WyvusArconius
|
The lack of improvement is another significant let down from FGW. Let us hope that they are not trying to run the service down by driving away all potential customers. Is there anythign we can do to raise the profile fo the service? True, it should be FGW's job to do that. But if we want to keep the service, we need to do all we can to build up a signiifcant user base so that there is more standing to our case for greater service provision.
Daniel
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Mookiemoo
|
I commute daily from Shrub Hill to Paddington.
Normally on the 632 up and the 1822 down.
The new time table sucks.
In the odd even I have to be on site before 9 I get the 0552 - it will now be the 0533 - not a chance in hell I'll be on it.
Recently, due to the refurbishment of the trains, the 1922 is always a two car 165 turbo unit.
I travel first class (an extravagance but after tax less so) because I do do it every day - the 165 units have 16 first class seats only, no tables, and no trolley service when they replace the adelantes' with one.
Also, the hereford line is supposed to be keeing the buffet cars on the HSTs yet more and more we have no stock since "they are running the buffet cars down".
er..............
Oh - and whilst I'm on the subject, the new first class seats are useless for short females - you wnd up with back ache whenever you try to work from the table.
The ONLY thing FGW do well is not declassifying first class in the way Virgin does when standard is overly busy.l
I startd this in 2004 - u sually six months at a time - and a season ticket was £700 per month. Its now £1090 for worse service.
Although I have discovered I can save £150 by getting one season ticket to oxford and another from oxford to paddington.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Industry Insider
|
I commute daily from Shrub Hill to Paddington.
Normally on the 632 up and the 1822 down.
I travel first class (an extravagance but after tax less so) because I do do it every day - the 165 units have 16 first class seats only, no tables, and no trolley service when they replace the adelantes' with one.
I startd this in 2004 - u sually six months at a time - and a season ticket was £700 per month. Its now £1090 for worse service.
Although I have discovered I can save £150 by getting one season ticket to oxford and another from oxford to paddington.
Or it's a 166 with 32 first class seats. But when a Turbo's first class seats are actually more cramped than the standard class seats of an Adelante then that is offering a very poor standard of service to that which is advertised. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Lee
|
The weekend timetables have now been added.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pages: [1]
|
|
|
 |
