timetable changes from 18th May

Posted on April 19, 2014 by admin

 

The new train timetable effective from 18th May has now been published.

There are major changes, made necessary by the introduction of a fifth express train between Manchester and Leeds. The new timetable contains a number of changes that SMART and SHRUG have been advocating, including reinstating the Slaithwaite stop in the 1727 from Victoria, earlier first trains of the day in both directions and a later last train from Huddersfield on Sundays, and better connections at Stalybridge in both directions.

It’s never possible to please everybody, but overall we would judge it’s an improvement on the current timetable.

Major changes, summarised as follows:

Weekdays towards Huddersfield

–        first train, through to Leeds, is at 0615 (Marsden) 0619 (Slaithwaite)rather than 0648/0652

–        daytime departures towards Huddersfield will be at xx29/xx33 rather than xx59/xx03

–        1727 from Victoria now calls at Slaithwaite

–        Most daytime trains run through from Blackpool North, some trains in the evening peak run through from Southport & Wigan

Saturdays towards Huddersfield

–        First train to Huddersfield is earlier

–        daytime departures towards Huddersfield will be at xx29/xx33 rather than xx59/xx03

–        Most daytime trains run through from Blackpool North, some trains in the evening peak run through from Southport & Wigan

Sundays towards Huddersfield

–        first train to Huddersfield is 22’ earlier

–        daytime departures towards Huddersfield will be at xx45/xx49 rather than xx15/xx19

Weekdays towards Victoria

–        earlier first train to Victoria

–        daytime departures towards Victoria will be at xx22 (Slaithwaite) xx29 (Marsden) rather than xx37/xx43

–        Most daytime trains run through to Wigan & some to Southport

Saturdays towards Victoria

–        earlier first train to Manchester, arrives Victoria at 0804 rather than 0831

–        daytime departures towards Victoria will be at xx22/xx29 rather than xx37/xx43 –        Most daytime trains run through to Wigan

Sundays towards Victoria

–        earlier first train

–        daytime departures towards Victoria will be at xx22/xx27 rather than xx43/ xx50 –        later last train

General

– better connections at Stalybridge to/from Piccadilly, in both directions except after 7pm coming from Piccadilly

–        one fewer train on Saturday. The one which has been withdrawn is a mid-evening train which goes from Huddersfield to Marsden & back

–        one additional train on Sundays

Because of a technical problem which we have hitherto been unable to resolve, we are unable to attach the new timetable as a pdf document.

The major downside to the timetable is that it leaves a hour gap in the morning peak, between 0710 & 0808 (Huddersfield arrival times). Currently the gap is between 0741 & 0824 (Huddersfield arrival times). Northern Rail’s timetable planners had limited scope to change this, with their trains having to be fitted in between the expresses.

A train arriving Huddersfield at 0738 calls at Mossley & Greenfield, one arriving at 0808 calls at Marsden & Slaithwaite. The choice available was to swap calls on these two trains. The option chosen is probably better for people travelling to Huddersfield, the other option would have been better for people travelling to Leeds.

It highlights the need to deliver additional capacity through electrification and the Northern Hub, but then to make sure that additional capacity is used to benefit local passengers, not just passengers between Leeds and Manchester.

Trains times have now been published on the websites of Northern Rail and Metro

 

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Engineering works, weekend of 19th & 20th April

Posted on April 17, 2014 by admin

Buses replacing trains between Stalybridge and Manchester Victoria this coming Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th April. There may also be connecting trains from Stalybridge to Piccadilly which could work out quicker and more convenient than the replacement bus – to check this look on the journey planner on the National Rail website.

Link to revised timetable here.

http://www.northernrail.org/pdfs/trackworks/0420_MCV_-_HUD.pdf

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“Northern announcement heralds new chapter in rail franchise”

Posted on March 27, 2014 by admin

 [Press release from Northern Rail, 27th March 2014]

Negotiations with the Department for Transport (DfT) have proved successful for regional train operator Northern Rail as it announced today it will continue to operate rail services across the north of England until February 2016.

Alex Hynes, Managing Director for Northern Rail, has welcomed the news following the signing of the new Direct Award agreement with shareholders Serco and Abellio.

Northern has committed to a range of improvements as part of the agreement which includes improving ticket purchase facilities, extending the availability of advanced tickets, investing in better passenger information by, for example, installing customer information display screens at a further 100 stations, and funding new environmental initiatives.

During the new Direct Award period Northern will continue to work with the Department for Transport on proposals to deliver a fleet of electric trains into the North West, which would see existing diesel stock released to strengthen other services.

Signalling an exciting yet challenging time for the company, Mr Hynes explained how this new chapter for Northern had been shaped by the current period of economic austerity and the Government’s ambition to reduce the overall cost of rail for UK taxpayers:

“The next 22 months is about being more efficient and more effective, seeking and delivering new ways of working. That doesn’t mean taking short cuts or risks. It’s about achieving a balance: delivering a safe and improved service in a new way: doing more with less.

“We’re already delivering enhancements across our network; our services are more punctual and reliable, and the commitment is there to drive further efficiency with our partners.  Crucially today’s announcement gives us the opportunity to start consulting with all our stakeholders on the requirements for creating a step change in rail services for the North under the next long term franchise.”

David Stretch, Serco’s Managing Director for Transport Services, said:

“Serco has a strong track record of providing high quality rail services in the UK and internationally.  We are delighted that the strong performance of our partnership with Abellio, and focus on doing the right thing for our passengers, has been recognised with the award of this new contract.  This is down to the commitment of our team at Northern Rail who work tirelessly to provide an excellent standard of service across the north of England.  We look forward to continuing to work alongside Abellio, the PTEs and other regional stakeholders to help drive improvements and greater efficiencies – benefiting both our fare-paying passengers and the taxpayer.”

Dominic Booth, Abellio UK’s Managing Director commented:

“We’ve been negotiating very hard with the Department for Transport to secure the best outcome for Northern’s passengers.  With our Joint Venture partner we will now be working hard with the Northern Rail team to bring the benefits of the extension to passengers safely, quickly and efficiently.  During this time our focus will also be on determining the long term rail requirements of the next franchise.  This represents the real opportunity to create a rail service that will drive and sustain the socio-economic prosperity of the North of England.”

Northern has seen a staggering 47% growth in passenger numbers since the start of its franchise in 2004 with 94 million journeys made last year and has improved its Moving Annual Average (MAA) performance from 83.7% to 90.9%.

Link to press release at http://www.northernrail.org/news/7445

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“Bid to end train companies’ unfair tactics”

Posted on March 1, 2014 by admin

[Published by Passenger Focus, 1st March 2014]

Passenger Focus is concerned about the unfair treatment meted out by train companies on passengers who have made an innocent mistake when travelling. We have taken this up with the transport minister as making sure that passengers are treated fairly is the most important part of our work.

Each year we handle thousands of appeals by passengers who are unhappy with the way their train company has handled their complaint. We took a close look at these complaints and found that passengers using the rail network face very inconsistent treatment when travelling without a ‘valid’ ticket. Passengers who get it wrong can find themselves facing a hefty bill, or in some of the worst cases, criminal prosecution.
In our letter to the transport minister we have included a number of examples of poor behaviour by train companies, who seem to have far more autonomy and legal power than most other commercial industries. This includes threatening passengers with prosecution for errors such as forgetting their railcard, losing one of their tickets but having other proof of purchase, or being unable to pick up booked tickets.
Sometimes the threat of criminal prosecution seems to be used as a form of debt collection by train companies.
We have argued that this approach to justice must be administered according to clear guidelines, be accountable, give passengers a fair hearing and not assume everyone is guilty.
We’ll report back on this work in future editions of Passenger Voice.
The case study featured in this month’s edition is a good example of what some passengers have to face.

Link to Passenger Focus website is http://email.passengerfocus.org.uk/passengerfocuslz/lz.aspx?p1=058096S177209&CC=&p=2&cID=0&cValue=1

Passenger Focus is the independent consumer organisation representing the interests of rail users nationally and bus, coach and tram users across England outside London.

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