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Author Topic: May train timetable- changes to commuter services  (Read 6728 times)

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andrewbowden

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Re: May train timetable- changes to commuter services
« Reply #12 on: February 13, 2018, 11:28:42 AM »
The catch, I fear, is that we won't get the shiny new trains - they will be allocated to other routes and we will get second hand Class 150 and 156 units, 'cascaded' down from the other lines. We are bottom of the heap, for some reason! 

Cynical, moi?  :-\

It's not really a secret.  The new diesel trains will run on "Northern Connect" routes.  These are regional services.  The first services will run Chester to Leeds, it was announced recently. 
http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/rolling-stock/caf-presents-first-civity-emu-for-northern.html

The Manchester-Sheffield service is not a Northern Connect route, so don't expect new trains to appear there.
https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/travel/northern-connect

(Note the new electric trains will run some commuter services.)

So whilst they're being billed as Pacer replacements by some, they're really not. 

We'll probably get a hotchpotch of diesel trains that are being cascaded from Scotrail and GWR.  If we're lucky they might get refurbished, for some definition of "refurbished" - probably more Sprinters like the ones that already run when the Pacers aren't.  There's nothing wrong with those trains physically.  They have plenty more years of life in them.  But they certainly won't be shiny and new.

Dave

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Re: May train timetable- changes to commuter services
« Reply #11 on: February 13, 2018, 11:06:51 AM »
A better service and new trains too - what's the catch?

Northern to replace Pacers with '21st Century' trains  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-42937218

The catch, I fear, is that we won't get the shiny new trains - they will be allocated to other routes and we will get second hand Class 150 and 156 units, 'cascaded' down from the other lines. We are bottom of the heap, for some reason! 

Cynical, moi?  :-\

andrewbowden

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Re: May train timetable- changes to commuter services
« Reply #10 on: February 12, 2018, 08:03:16 PM »
The issue is caused by a lack of Northern diesel units. There has been delays in electrification in both the South West and North West which means that they have surplus electric trains and not enough diesels.

True although curious they've found a spare train in the morning peak as things have improved there

Quote
As far as i know, you can use Marple/Rose Hill tickets to either station, i certainly have never had a problem.


I have seen this said but never found any evidence that it is officially allowed as opposed to the staff just informally accepting it.

It would make sense to be official.

hatter76

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Re: May train timetable- changes to commuter services
« Reply #9 on: February 12, 2018, 05:52:05 PM »
Yep.  I wondered if Hyde would be benefiting from a Marple train being diverted that way or something, but looks not. 

It would certainly put me off using a Rose Hill service in the evening peak.  And therefore that means putting me off using a Rose Hill service in the morning given I buy a day return so need to use the same station for both trips.  For other users like me, there's no benefit to an improved morning service if the evening one is still shoddy.

I suspect this is all to do with capacity on platforms 1-4 at Piccadilly, but from a passenger point of view, the frequencies are bonkers.

The issue is caused by a lack of Northern diesel units. There has been delays in electrification in both the South West and North West which means that they have surplus electric trains and not enough diesels.

Its very disappointing that Marple and Rose Hill rush hour trains are being cut from the timetable as a result. However, this must have been agreed by Stockport Council and TfGM.

Can any councillors advise if representation has been made?


As far as i know, you can use Marple/Rose Hill tickets to either station, i certainly have never had a problem.

Cyberman

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Re: May train timetable- changes to commuter services
« Reply #8 on: February 12, 2018, 05:47:05 PM »
It would certainly put me off using a Rose Hill service in the evening peak.  And therefore that means putting me off using a Rose Hill service in the morning given I buy a day return so need to use the same station for both trips.frequencies are bonkers.
Hadn't spotted the Rose Hill changes - that's a poor outcome. Presumably also less frequent trains will also be more full. However you don't need to use the same station - they seem to be interchangeable. Unless of course your car is at one...

andrewbowden

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Re: May train timetable- changes to commuter services
« Reply #7 on: February 12, 2018, 11:34:48 AM »
that's crap, that's my commuter train via Hyde so it's going to one train an hour? Bloody rubbish :(

Yep.  I wondered if Hyde would be benefiting from a Marple train being diverted that way or something, but looks not. 

It would certainly put me off using a Rose Hill service in the evening peak.  And therefore that means putting me off using a Rose Hill service in the morning given I buy a day return so need to use the same station for both trips.  For other users like me, there's no benefit to an improved morning service if the evening one is still shoddy.

I suspect this is all to do with capacity on platforms 1-4 at Piccadilly, but from a passenger point of view, the frequencies are bonkers.

nbt

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Re: May train timetable- changes to commuter services
« Reply #6 on: February 12, 2018, 11:05:00 AM »
that's crap, that's my commuter train via Hyde so it's going to one train an hour? Bloody rubbish :(
NBT: Notoriously Bad Typist

andrewbowden

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Re: May train timetable- changes to commuter services
« Reply #5 on: February 12, 2018, 09:25:48 AM »
If it's correct, the Rose Hill evening peak situation is now terrible.

Currently there are trains from Manchester leaving at 1605, 1644, 1720, 1805 and 1835.  This is a bit crap in itself given there's a regular half hour service in the off peak.

But in the new timetable that changes to 1608, 1710, 1809 and 1834.  Between 4 and 6 the service mysteriously drops the hourly for no apparent reason, and we lose a train!  That's just bonkers.

wheels

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Re: May train timetable- changes to commuter services
« Reply #4 on: February 12, 2018, 07:08:47 AM »
A 23.33hr to manchester is a definite plus.

Cyberman

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Re: May train timetable- changes to commuter services
« Reply #3 on: February 11, 2018, 09:28:53 PM »
A better service and new trains too - what's the catch?

Northern to replace Pacers with '21st Century' trains  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-42937218

Dave

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Re: May train timetable- changes to commuter services
« Reply #2 on: February 11, 2018, 06:00:00 PM »
Thanks hatter - that looks like very good news, especially on Sundays, when there will be a train from Marple to and from Piccadilly every 30 minutes, and right through the evening as well. That's a huge improvement!

Also, the weekday evening service is better, with a train from Piccadilly to Marple every 30 minutes until around 9.15, though there is then a 90 minute gap, which is unfortunate.

Still - two cheers for Northern Rail!  Now all we need is proper trains! 


hatter76

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May train timetable- changes to commuter services
« Reply #1 on: February 11, 2018, 12:59:46 PM »
The new May rail timetable is available on real train times

Although there is a welcome increase in late evening and weekend trains there is a reduction in the key rush hour frequencies from both Marple and Rose Hill. Evening Rose Hill are particular badly affected, down to just one per hour from Manchester!

Marple weekday http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/advanced/MPL/2018/05/21/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt
Marple Saturday http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/advanced/MPL/2018/05/26/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt
Marple Sunday http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/advanced/MPL/2018/05/20/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

Rose Hill weekday http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/advanced/RSH/2018/05/21/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt
Rose Hill Saturday http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/advanced/RSH/2018/05/26/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt