There isn't the demand for a half hourly service on that line. A clockface hourly service would be better.
Currently, apart from a couple of trips, those two DMUs are carting fresh air between Bedford and Bletchley.
no they aren't. The "peak" time trains are getting busy. I have used the line every day (except Sunday when we don;t have a service) for over 6 years and numbers are growing.
better London connections at Bletchley are growing the numbers of through commuters and more and more MK based people are using the train. The connections north are now the main timetabling challenge.
There is lots of new housing in the vale with LOADS more to come. Amazon at Ridgmont drives lots of customers especially at shift change. Even my station at Fenny has gone form me alone most days to 5 or 6 regulars. It is the same along the line.
While you are right the numbers wont support a half hourly service to suggest it is empty much of the day simply isnt true.
Recently reported in the Modern Railways magazine that the hourly service between Bedford and Bletchley is likely to be operated solely by two Class 153 units when London Midland sends Class 150 off-lease to Northern.
That will be very bad for our service and will put at risk all the recent increases in passenger numbers. The 153 can not cope with the timetable as it is and is almost always late.
Being a rural line lots of people cycle to the stations. Loading and unloading bikes and buggies via the 90 degree end doors takes ages causes delay. Delay means missed connections and an interminable wait at Blethcley. it is a brave gaurd who sticks to the 3 bikes rule leaving someone in the middle of nowhere for an hour.
Reliability wise the 153's are less good than the 150 and many of them are rotten inside.
Reportly concern raised from locals that the capacity will be insufficient at peak times.
it will be. It is also worth noting 2 x 153 wont fit in many of the platforms.
I wonder whether three Class 153 could be introduced instead.
1. It would permit a 30 minute interval service for most of the day.
2. It would permit an hourly service to be introduced on Sundays (part of the new franchise commitment). One unit could be stabled for maintenance.
3. It would permit at least an hourly service to be operated should one of the three units become defective.
Or perhaps 3 two-car Class 230 could be the answer with maintenance facilities at Bletchley ?
I think we will end up with the tube train things until either E-W is complete or 2345 whichever comes sooner
I think this would be optimal - more capacity, the Tube standee layout perfect for quiet trains (seats for everyone) and busy school trains (tons of standing room), more reliability. And only needed short-term until EWR and wires.
A better fit for the 230 I can barely think of.
We don't want standing room on a 40 minute journey from Blethcley to Bedford! We want seats and a reliable train. Mind you the current the units over the last few weeks have been awful reliability wise. Anyone know where we can get a DBSO and a MKii open and a small loco?
