RMT reporting that Merseyrail have suspended off peak ticket sales from Liverpool Central/Moorfields - Aintree for Grand National weekend.

I said no such thing, however on the assumption that what I'm quoted as saying is what you intended your reply to me to be then yes, it's entirely in order for a union to schedule its industrial action when it feels that it will be the most effective, and that in no way impinges on its right to comment on other railway-related matters.

Methinks that certain people either have no idea of the purpose of a trade union and the likely tactics which it will adopt or are being blindly obtuse.

sprunt said:

I said no such thing, however on the assumption that what I'm quoted as saying is what you intended your reply to me to be then yes, it's entirely in order for a union to schedule its industrial action when it feels that it will be the most effective, and that in no way impinges on its right to comment on other railway-related matters.

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Spot on. What is the point of action which has no impact?

sprunt said:

Of course. Why would a union not want their industrial action to cause the most inconvenience? There would be no point striking on a day when trains aren't running.



Not really justified - shouldn't that be covered by the fare income from all the extra passengers?

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That isn't how railway economics work.
Most local/regional trains that are full and standing all day long are loss making, requiring a serious level of subsidy.

Special events make that situation worse as you also need extra rolling stock, cleaning, security, staffing - plus all the risk assessment and other administrative overheads.

You might lose a bit less by charging a higher fare, but from a purely financial perspective, it's still loss making.

It's only when you consider the wider economic and social benefits that you can justify the loss.

Wolfie said:

Methinks that certain people either have no idea of the purpose of a trade union and the likely tactics which it will adopt or are being blindly obtuse.

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So are you saying that a trades union reserves the right to cause disruption to passengers, but to decry other organisations wishing to also cause problems to the same passengers. A new play on the old adage of "One rule for the rich and one rule for the poor"....or "do as I say, not as I do".

Is this really any different to Alton Towers or Disney world etc selling fast pass tickets? You can pay a lower price and spend more time in a queue, or pay slightly more to get on quicker.

sprunt said:

Not really justified - shouldn't that be covered by the fare income from all the extra passengers?

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Say a DMMU cost £x per mile to run. If you need to bring a set in from Tyseley you aren't just paying for the mileage it works on the Saturday, you're also paying for the mileage between Tyseley and Cardiff. Then you need to crew it, which will require overtime - i.e. an enhanced rate.