May 2019 Timetable changes?

[barryb]

Any rumours as to what will happen with the May 2019 timetable changes?

I've seen a rumour on another forum that the hourly Peterborough - Ipswich won't happen until Ely North and Haughey Junction improvements do too, which would be very disappointing if true!

I feel like I remember Lea Valley / Star was supposed to be finished by sometime around now and things certainly seem to be looking a lot more complete, but I can't seem to find anything with a date on it?

But might Norwich - Stansted Airport be the thing that does happen?  The FLIRTs seem to be arriving in the UK in decent numbers?

And is there any news about Th*meslink?  Might we see the May 2018 timetable?

[Coast_Hopper]

Perhaps its too early for Norwich to Stansted, will be the mew trains when it happens, cant see them being 100% up and running by then

[Steves]

I think the information on Ipswich  - Peterborough is correct. 2 hourly for the foreseeable future. As far I know, the FLIRTS will not be in service then.

On a more positive note, it looks as if 2 fast trains an hour between Cambridge and Kings Cross will be restored on Saturdays.

[Streetdeck]

There are only 4 FLIRT's delivered...and none are in service yet..

[TCD813]

From what I have read – and backed up by personal contacts, speaking off-the-record – there were multiple, interlinked causes of the GTR May 2018 timetable fiasco.

• GTR were regarded as having ‘underbid’ for the franchise.
• Predecessor, FCC, was alleged to have failed to employ sufficient drivers to pass on to GTR employment to fulfil driving and driver-training roles.
• GTR had a known driver shortfall at the outset of its franchise agreement in 2014.
• GTR failed to recruit sufficient drivers to fulfil driving and driver-training roles.
• GTR had a history of running with far fewer drivers than they needed.
• GTR had realised as early as 2016 that it would not have a sufficient number of fully trained drivers for May 2018.
• GTR relied too heavily on rest-day working for type-testing, type-learning and route-learning.
• With type-testing running behind schedule, GTR used freight drivers to undertake some type-testing, meaning that simultaneous type-testing and type-learning was not maximised.
• GTR borrowed drivers from the Southeastern franchise, using “pilot” drivers on the new infrastructure through central London. This exacerbated driver shortages.
• As NetworkRail had changed all ECML paths, on the understanding that (eg) CGB-KGX semi-fasts would now divert via STP, the pre-May 2018 paths into KGX were not available.
• GTR relied on its drivers to work on rest days to attempt to implement the timetable.

Some background from:

• The Guardian
• Rail magazine
• House of Commons Transport Committee (PDF)

[Coast_Hopper]

In terms of the driver situation alot use GTR to get their foot in the door, ie drive for GTR or a couple of years until they eventually get a better paid and easier with DRS

[Streetdeck]

It's been one big game of blame, buck-passing and avoiding all responsibility... And it's the passengers and front-line staff that have taken the full brunt of it all... And still nearly a year later, nobody has really properly apologised, taken any real responsibility or been held accountable for it all.

[TCD813]

It's been one big game of blame, buck-passing and avoiding all responsibility... And it's the passengers and front-line staff that have taken the full brunt of it all... And still nearly a year later, nobody has really properly apologised, taken any real responsibility or been held accountable for it all.

Overseen by Failing Grayling.