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Post by OxfordCitaro on Aug 13, 2022 10:17:21 GMT
These firms dominate the replacement services. Do any other firms bid ? Before Covid, Sullivan Buses used to be the pioneers of rail replacement, often operating two or even three separate routes every weekend. Abellio were closely following - now Abellio seem to have majority of the contracts. This is most likely due to the professional, and decent on-time performance. In 2021 Stagecoach London decided to venture into rail, winning DL6, LO-S and UL51 - which were a massive shock. This didn't last though as they found themselves short of drivers to cover rail work and subsequently surrendered their contracts. HCT went on a similar venture however 'things' weren't organised properly by management and routes such as LO-M often had no buses before 10am. TfL got wind of this and took action (I believe). Arriva London tend to bid sensibly so they often operate low-frequency (low-PVR) routes close to AR, DX, EC, and E garages. Their DL-7 win was also a shock, and recently route performance has deteriorated as they mostly use subcontracts. Metroline are the same, this is most likely due to the fact that they have to call buses in from all garages, service control methods such as backplating is near impossible as you risk the buses going back to the wrong depot (PV bus going to PB for example) RATP, Tower Transit (before June 2022), and Go-Ahead tend not to indulge in TfL Rail Replacement, mostly taking up subcontracted duties.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2022 13:05:45 GMT
These firms dominate the replacement services. Do any other firms bid ? Before Covid, Sullivan Buses used to be the pioneers of rail replacement, often operating two or even three separate routes every weekend. Abellio were closely following - now Abellio seem to have majority of the contracts. This is most likely due to the professional, and decent on-time performance. In 2021 Stagecoach London decided to venture into rail, winning DL6, LO-S and UL51 - which were a massive shock. This didn't last though as they found themselves short of drivers to cover rail work and subsequently surrendered their contracts. HCT went on a similar venture however 'things' weren't organised properly by management and routes such as LO-M often had no buses before 10am. TfL got wind of this and took action (I believe). Arriva London tend to bid sensibly so they often operate low-frequency (low-PVR) routes close to AR, DX, EC, and E garages. Their DL-7 win was also a shock, and recently route performance has deteriorated as they mostly use subcontracts. Metroline are the same, this is most likely due to the fact that they have to call buses in from all garages, service control methods such as backplating is near impossible as you risk the buses going back to the wrong depot (PV bus going to PB for example) RATP, Tower Transit (before June 2022), and Go-Ahead tend not to indulge in TfL Rail Replacement, mostly taking up subcontracted duties. Thank you, really interesting insight !
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Post by 6HP502C on Aug 14, 2022 13:59:46 GMT
It’s a tough business to be in with the challenges around procuring staff and route learning. Subcontracting and procuring external staff are used but as with everything, can be difficult to manage.
No backplating as a rule has its pros and cons. Any policy which takes control away from the controllers can have the opposite effect to stabilising the service. In the past this one has been proven to be a cause of buses and drivers piling up on the stand and a disrupted service going into a full scale mælstrom. Might as well make best efforts to allow limited backplating where drivers take a bus back to the right garage and pay a reliable army of drivers who know the depot-depot routes, along with a ferry to do a night shift getting everything back place.
Subcontracting - works well if the subcontractor is good but sometimes the stuff that happens is not serious and can’t be made up.
Staff shortages also cause chaos. In recent times some jobs have had dozens of open duties. Then the challenge is balanced between keeping a service running and not having buses left on the street.
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Post by TNA33379 on Aug 14, 2022 17:44:02 GMT
Today on LO-H we started making people tap on their oyster/contactless cards. From the shift I did it was alright with people obviously confused as it wasn’t advertised by TfL one bit. Many people happily tapped on with only a few getting a bit upset that they had to pay 🤣. I think TfL will need to advertise that they need to tap on otherwise it can cause some incidents.
I was at Harrow and Wealdstone early for Sullivans today and the main issue was that where people was confused it was causing a lot of buses to wait longer than they would wait longer than they normally would.
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Post by WH241 on Aug 14, 2022 17:49:26 GMT
Today on LO-H we started making people tap on their oyster/contactless cards. From the shift I did it was alright with people obviously confused as it wasn’t advertised by TfL one bit. Many people happily tapped on with only a few getting a bit upset that they had to pay 🤣. I think TfL will need to advertise that they need to tap on otherwise it can cause some incidents. I was at Harrow and Wealdstone early for Sullivans today and the main issue was that where people was confused it was causing a lot of buses to wait longer than they would wait longer than they normally would. Are passengers charged a standard bus fare? Anything more is wrong IMO.
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Post by galwhv69 on Aug 14, 2022 18:02:29 GMT
Today on LO-H we started making people tap on their oyster/contactless cards. From the shift I did it was alright with people obviously confused as it wasn’t advertised by TfL one bit. Many people happily tapped on with only a few getting a bit upset that they had to pay 🤣. I think TfL will need to advertise that they need to tap on otherwise it can cause some incidents. I was at Harrow and Wealdstone early for Sullivans today and the main issue was that where people was confused it was causing a lot of buses to wait longer than they would wait longer than they normally would. Are passengers charged a standard bus fare? Anything more is wrong IMO. Can confirm £1.65 standard bus fare
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Post by WH241 on Aug 14, 2022 18:05:31 GMT
Are passengers charged a standard bus fare? Anything more is wrong IMO. Can confirm £1.65 standard bus fare Good to know, always been reluctant to use rail buses as you never know if you should touch in at the station first. Sometimes these services can offer quicker journeys than standard bus routes.
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Post by SILENCED on Aug 14, 2022 19:40:02 GMT
Are passengers charged a standard bus fare? Anything more is wrong IMO. Can confirm £1.65 standard bus fare Assume you don't get charged this if you tap in at a station before or after the rail replacement bus as it should be covered by your train fare.
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Post by galwhv69 on Aug 14, 2022 20:57:34 GMT
Can confirm £1.65 standard bus fare Assume you don't get charged this if you tap in at a station before or after the rail replacement bus as it should be covered by your train fare. Not sure tbh. Unsure if the backend system would allow for that
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Post by richard on Aug 14, 2022 22:44:38 GMT
Assume you don't get charged this if you tap in at a station before or after the rail replacement bus as it should be covered by your train fare. Not sure tbh. Unsure if the backend system would allow for that Technically what you should do is touch in at your station bored the replacement bus without touching in and touch out at your destination. I'm not sure if that's the same with National Rail.
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Post by greenboy on Aug 14, 2022 22:51:18 GMT
Not sure tbh. Unsure if the backend system would allow for that Technically what you should do is touch in at your station bored the replacement bus without touching in and touch out at your destination. I'm not sure if that's the same with National Rail. I don't think I've ever seen any ticket checking on rail replacement buses.
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Post by 6HP502C on Aug 15, 2022 2:40:37 GMT
Technically what you should do is touch in at your station bored the replacement bus without touching in and touch out at your destination. I'm not sure if that's the same with National Rail. I don't think I've ever seen any ticket checking on rail replacement buses. Pre-covid there were checks on board some SWR replacement services!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2022 4:43:06 GMT
Technically what you should do is touch in at your station bored the replacement bus without touching in and touch out at your destination. I'm not sure if that's the same with National Rail. I don't think I've ever seen any ticket checking on rail replacement buses. The only time I can I recall was years ago on the night coach service between Gatwick and Reading via Dorking and Guildford. That one actually had a Great Western Guard travelling onboard the coach ( Goldline ran it )
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Post by wirewiper on Aug 15, 2022 8:15:09 GMT
Technically what you should do is touch in at your station bored the replacement bus without touching in and touch out at your destination. I'm not sure if that's the same with National Rail. I don't think I've ever seen any ticket checking on rail replacement buses. I was in Reading during one of the blockades around ten years ago, GWR and Cross Country staff were checking tickets as passengers boarded the rail replacement buses in the Old Bus Station. Up to now, no provision appears to be made for ticket checking and touching in and out in the London area, meaning that rail replacement buses have been effectively free to use. It looks like that may now be changing.
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Post by galwhv69 on Aug 15, 2022 8:17:12 GMT
Technically what you should do is touch in at your station bored the replacement bus without touching in and touch out at your destination. I'm not sure if that's the same with National Rail. I don't think I've ever seen any ticket checking on rail replacement buses. On the Milton Keynes - Euston (Stanmore LU) blockade tickets are checked north of Watford Junction
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