The dreaded FIRST BUS!

Post by **tyke bhoy** » Mon 13 Aug, 2012 11:31 am

Blakey a couple of points.Unfortunately the current East Coast set up can't continue although maybe it should. It was set up and took over at short notice when National Express gave up the franchise. The original Chief Executive said in 2009 that she didn't expect to be around in 2 years. I think she meant the whole set up but my post towards the end of http://www.secretleeds.co.uk/forum/Mess ... ighLight=1 proves only she had gone. One of my early posts on the thread paraphrases the CEO's original comments. CNOSNI (haven't seen him post in a while) as the last post in the thread says the franchise is due to be taken over next year but that post is 20 months old.While I agree with you to some extent on Cross Country and even more so on Virgin, it has to be taken into account the limitations they operate under. When a franchise changes hand just about all that changes is the management and as you say the livery. Cross Country still have the same rolling stock that Virgin had when running the Cross Country franchise as they just took over the leases. The train lengths were always inadequate given Leeds - Birmingham is an hourly service hence the overcrowding. The trains are also only just capable of maintaining their schedule in perfect conditions with no incidents. so throw in some snow and/or leaves etc. and late running is pretty much a gurantee.Privatisation is a joke the franchises are in a game of pass the parcel where the music stops with the parcel in the hand of the operator who will cost the Governement least (except East Coast where its the one that will make the most). Because of this and the need to pay dividends the operators invest very little in their operations especially the rolling stock. There is also the added problem of continuity because even if they had the money to invest they won't if there is the risk of losing the franchise in the near future.Privatisation only works when there is true competition and there is very little of that with most routes a monopoly or at best a duopoly (Grand Central/East Coast) with the only competition being when the franchise is up for grabs and the nature of the franchising usually puts the customer last./Rant which isn't aimed at Blakey but the poor management of our railways

somme1916 · Post by **somme1916** » Mon 13 Aug, 2012 12:10 pm

tyke bhoy wrote: Blakey a couple of points.Unfortunately the current East Coast set up can't continue although maybe it should. It was set up and took over at short notice when National Express gave up the franchise. The original Chief Executive said in 2009 that she didn't expect to be around in 2 years. I think she meant the whole set up but my post towards the end of http://www.secretleeds.co.uk/forum/Mess ... ighLight=1 proves only she had gone. One of my early posts on the thread paraphrases the CEO's original comments. CNOSNI (haven't seen him post in a while) as the last post in the thread says the franchise is due to be taken over next year but that post is 20 months old.While I agree with you to some extent on Cross Country and even more so on Virgin, it has to be taken into account the limitations they operate under. When a franchise changes hand just about all that changes is the management and as you say the livery. Cross Country still have the same rolling stock that Virgin had when running the Cross Country franchise as they just took over the leases. The train lengths were always inadequate given Leeds - Birmingham is an hourly service hence the overcrowding. The trains are also only just capable of maintaining their schedule in perfect conditions with no incidents. so throw in some snow and/or leaves etc. and late running is pretty much a gurantee.Privatisation is a joke the franchises are in a game of pass the parcel where the music stops with the parcel in the hand of the operator who will cost the Governement least (except East Coast where its the one that will make the most). Because of this and the need to pay dividends the operators invest very little in their operations especially the rolling stock. There is also the added problem of continuity because even if they had the money to invest they won't if there is the risk of losing the franchise in the near future.Privatisation only works when there is true competition and there is very little of that with most routes a monopoly or at best a duopoly (Grand Central/East Coast) with the only competition being when the franchise is up for grabs and the nature of the franchising usually puts the customer last./Rant which isn't aimed at Blakey but the poor management of our railways I agree with the above wholeheartedly.....

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Mon 13 Aug, 2012 8:41 pm

tyke bhoy wrote: Blakey a couple of points./Rant which isn't aimed at Blakey but the poor management of our railways Not a rant at all - in fact all good and interesting well informed information which is appreciated - and I don't mind being "aimed at" when I've got facts wrong or incomplete so all is well

dogduke · Post by **dogduke** » Tue 14 Aug, 2012 1:06 am

Rail privatisation - a bad idea,badly implemented !I have a long service certificate thingy,38 years from Northern Spirit(WHO!)its face down in a draw somewhere,only sees light of day when I'am looking for some string or something else of more value.

BIG N · Post by **BIG N** » Tue 14 Aug, 2012 2:16 am

Dogduke - how did you get a long service award from a company that wasn't around long ?? lol

dogduke · Post by **dogduke** » Tue 14 Aug, 2012 3:18 pm

BIG N wrote: Dogduke - how did you get a long service award from a company that wasn't around long ?? lol When BR was privatised staff kept their jobs with the same conditions of service and seniority inder E.U. Law (TUPE?)Hence 38 years service with a 2bit firm who couldn't stand the heat.

majorhoundii · Post by **majorhoundii** » Wed 15 Aug, 2012 9:09 am

They've won the West Coast Main Line franchise.

Riponian · Post by **Riponian** » Wed 15 Aug, 2012 9:25 am

First West Coast aaargh!Business as usual for Worst? Promise earth, see if they can run the grottiest stock, reduce services, employ the surliest staff and of course - as a matter of policy - fleece the "customers" and then come cap in hand to the taxpayer when they've not enough to pay six figure bonuses to their board.

BIG N · Post by **BIG N** » Wed 15 Aug, 2012 2:23 pm

majorhoundii wrote: They've won the West Coast Main Line franchise. Just heard that on the lunch time news and quite frankly I think its a total disgrace.The west coast main line service is far from perfect but Virgin have improved it ten fold from what it was under B.R.On the other hand the Great Western has continually failed to produce a quality service under the owenership of First.

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Wed 15 Aug, 2012 8:30 pm

Many services north of Manchester to Scotland and the Lakes are already operated by First Transpennine Express (with diesel trains under electric wiring), so we have the same company operating both services . How long will First maintain such duplication?