AlwaysOnTheRails

@StonehamPress @AvantiWestCoast @NetworkRailEUS Always check with the conductor.

@AvantiWestCoast @NetworkRailEUS So after asking at the Customer Service desk at Euston if I could take the slow (but less packed) LNR train and being told yes, the ticket inspector on the train told me strictly speaking I couldn’t but let me off anyway. You guys really need to sort your processes out.

Terrible signage from @AvantiWestCoast Don’t put “was calling at” in small letters for places the train ISN’T going to

@CanburyLiberal @thomasbowell The issues are contact related that span back to the early 2010s. The people now commenting on this as it’s some kind of new revelation haven’t got a clue!

@thomasbowell How would slowing down trains on railway designed for a higher speed save anything? You would have to purchase more trains to provide the same frequency of service.

As I’ve said before HS2 was grossly overengineered from day 1 - the European standard tending to be 186 or 198 mph, whilst HS2 was specced for 225 mph. This is before we get started on the tunnelling through fields! We can’t turn back time but these are some sensible adjustments

@mark395625 @swtrains_watch That’s nonsense. When people are penalty fared on this country they go crying to the press.

@swtrains_watch We've gone all soft here. Thats the issues. German railways deals with ticketless travel efficiently. Don't see why the UK can't do the same.

Must say ticket control staff on Beigian railways, don't take any nonsense with excuses for not having a ticket.

@ojngill @GarethDennis The modern day British journalist. A complete and utter moron.

The incompetence of those now in charge of transport in this country is staggering. This HS2 article is basically fact-free. All of its sourced assertions are bollocks - yet this rubbish is currently further wrecking HS2. thetimes.com/business/compa…

@swtrains_watch @stuartfanning1 @SimonCalder Yet nationalised operators have been doing that for years between Manchester and Leeds for example…

@AlwaysRails @stuartfanning1 @SimonCalder Capacity is only half the battle. Without competition, there’s no incentive to price that capacity attractively. Open-access provides the price point and choice needed to win that modal shift.

Talking to the new leader of the train drivers’ union, Aslef: Dave Calfe. He says: "No to driver-only operation – every train should have a 2nd safety-critical person.” "Open-access rail firms [Lumo, Grand Central and Hull Trains] should be nationalised." independent.co.uk/travel/news-an…

@swtrains_watch @stuartfanning1 @SimonCalder Capacity drives down prices not competition. Look at Cross Country. Also, rail is in competition with other transport modes.

@AlwaysRails @stuartfanning1 @SimonCalder Less competition is never the answer for the consumer. Passenger choice is the best tool we have to drive up standards and restore long-term confidence in the network.

@swtrains_watch @stuartfanning1 @SimonCalder Currently Open Access pay lower fees than established TOCs that fall under DfT governance (either nationalised or not). I can also say having travelled OA last year that it’s not that good. Far inferior compared to LNER.

@AlwaysRails @stuartfanning1 @SimonCalder Under the new PR23 framework open-access TOCs pay an Infrastructure Cost Charge (ICC) to contribute to fixed network costs. In some cases, like Lumo on the East Coast, they actually pay significantly more per train mile than the state-contracted operators.

@UnclePablo81 @TPExpressTrains @Cherry39aLila In your world, coach and bus companies would refuse contracts. You can take a hot drink and alcohol on a train. But on rail replacement buses this isn’t acceptable.

@AlwaysRails @TPExpressTrains @Cherry39aLila Can you take a dog on a train ? Yes. So the same service is no longer being offered with “rail replacement” busses. People have bought tickets based on train carrier rules, not a drivers discretion.

Hi @TPExpressTrains we are using the bus replacement bus on Saturday and we are travelling with my small dog. He will fit on my lap or in a bag - is this permitted as it would on a train?

@swtrains_watch @stuartfanning1 @SimonCalder Maybe open access can pay the proper rates for track access then. And let’s also not forget that profitable lines reduce subsidy…

@stuartfanning1 @SimonCalder Completely agree. Open-access must be a key feature of the landscape. Without the innovation of Lumo or Hull Trains, GBR risks becoming British Railways v2—a stagnant, taxpayer-funded monopoly with no incentive to improve.

@UnclePablo81 @TPExpressTrains @Cherry39aLila Then what happens if bus operators don’t take the contract? Alternative transport is not put on. Assistance dogs are accepted. Otherwise it’s the drivers discretion.

@TPExpressTrains @Cherry39aLila @TPExpressTrains you guys are contracting the bus, so surely it’s your rules 🤷🏻‍♂️

@Kylinho12 @Cherry39aLila @TPExpressTrains Rail replacement buses only carry assistance dogs. It’s up to the drivers discretion. No operator will provide a taxi if a dog, that isn’t an assistance dog, is refused.

@Cherry39aLila @TPExpressTrains TPExpress explicitly permit dogs. If your dog WAS turned away because of their bus replacement, I expect legally you'd be entitled to make alternative arrangements (ie a taxi) and TP would be expected to cover the taxi and refund of rail ticket. I wouldn't worry.

@MartinB67111804 @Clinnick1 @WillCalverleyUK @RMTunion @ASLEFunion By having a system fit for purpose.

@Clinnick1 @WillCalverleyUK @RMTunion @ASLEFunion As the Rail expert Richard.....how does the industry end the never ending cycle of strikes and pay claim?

Fully automate the London Underground and sack them all.

@RiffRaff1314 @TPEAssists_ Why? It’s clearly a scammer

@TPEAssists_ I am now following your account.

@TPExpressTrains is it possible to reserve a seat when you have an Annual Season Ticket? Thanks

@MarkMiddleton37 @philatrail @GarethDennis @seatsixtyone It’s very much a digital age issue. I think the best course would to not make refunds on the day so easy, as it was previously. It’s pretty automatic with train line. Massive revenue risk.

@AlwaysRails @philatrail @GarethDennis @seatsixtyone Maybe make the system not allow a ticket to be refunded after booked departure time? Many refunds are post journey when people have been checked….

DON'T BUY TRAIN TICKETS IN ADVANCE! On 1 April, govt is quietly changing the National Rail Conditions of Travel. Off-Peak & Anytime tickets become non-refundable after 23:59 the day BEFORE you travel. If you wake up & find your event cancelled, NO REFUNDS, even on £100+ tickets.

@philatrail @MarkMiddleton37 @GarethDennis @seatsixtyone Problem is if they’re not scanned… But again, should be an easy enough solve.

@AlwaysRails @MarkMiddleton37 @GarethDennis @seatsixtyone Solved the same way paper or card tickets used to be clipped? Except with a scanner.

@MarkMiddleton37 @GarethDennis @seatsixtyone @philatrail Surely this is just to stop, mainly train line customers, refunding their tickets after travelling? Shouldn’t be beyond the wit of GBR to solve that issue going forward.

@GarethDennis @seatsixtyone @philatrail Pushed by who? DfT? RDG? Civil servants? The Treasury? Whoever it is, to me, it shows GBR needs to be up and running fast and be able to do its job, without pressure from above. But will that happen?

@BrokenBritain_7 @NeilDotObrien @nickhillman A reminder, the Tories cost the UK economy over £1billion because they tried to force through minimum service levels and attack trade unions

@NeilDotObrien @nickhillman If we paid ASLEF to drive trains they would. But Heidi is paying them for a whole year NOT to drive trains! The dead hand of Socialism.

Thanks to union militancy, taxpayers are now paying £1m a year to guard a brand new railway station which lacks just one thing: no trains stop there. HT @nickhillman

@HighSpeed_H @zackhally @northernassist TPE tried it a few years ago for Halloween. Manchester Scareport That was quickly stopped after complaints flooded in.

@zackhally @northernassist We've just had to suffer London St Pancake, and next month we'll probably have London St Patrick's... Doesn't really help non English speakers or those with disabilities

Seems that @northernassist are currently in the process of renaming ‘Deansgate’ station to Olivia Deansgate. A project designed to confuse tourists and those who rely on these signs including PRM. Silly 🙄

It’s always someone in marketing or PR that approves this nonsense. And they’ll justify it because someone paid for it and it’s “reducing subsidy” Needs to stop.

@PeteW_H @TPExpressTrains @cwhite1864 Nope, on a 6-car train the first class section is always in the front set. That’s where the reservations are

Dont waste your time complaining. They just reply saying it's a complimentary service and not guaranteed. Your just paying for being in a first class carriage. Reserved seats are also complimentary so when they aren't available even though you've booked them, they're not liable for any of it 😞

Hey @TPExpressTrains. Is there no first class catering on the 17.15 Manchester Victoria to Saltburn?