DofT are calling the shots here They had already expended the addition Covid support for TOCs by late Autumn so once WFH became norm again income worsened considerably. Treasurer will have to payup of course but not before they've wrung out as much expenditure as they can. Reality is only costs TOCs can control are the variable track access charges and the EC4T bill plus eliminating overtime and rest day working. However, im presuming most of the older stock is on short term leases now so they can also saving leasing charges by standing the 456's and the 458's - the latter are on a new arrangement and that will be reflected in the leasing rates when they are refurbished and returned to service. In some respects the 701 fiasco is saving them a shed load of cash all the while they can make it
I can't seem to find this, got a link?
Sorry, I was checking on my tablet a few hours ago and the SWR website had a page where you could search the main routes/stations. Seems to have been replaced as their website which I'm now looking at on my PC only has the following message:
But if I remember correctly the fasts from Guildford to Lindon depart x35 and x49, which isn't even but it may be more even from Portsmouth than it is on Sundays.
With cases decreasing further, hopefully, let us hope that temporary means that. There are a lot of 'lead-swingers' out there - I know of some now - 'positive LFT' = week off. Both of our daughters, in different non-rail industries, had people trying a similar scam with the first lockdown - short shrift given.
I understand now.
I imagine they are still being generated and out thought the timetable creation process.
There is evidence the numbers were bouncing back pretty rapidly before Omicron. I don't think anyone's in a position to guess how we come out of the other side on this, hence the DfT constantly hedging their bets on "temporary" measures with TfL, etc.
Based on current trends with hospitalisations being reported by NHS England the balance has got to be moving towards the current restrictions not being renewed at end of January and thus the guidance to WFH will likely be toned down if not removed. Demand on core commuter routes will then rapidly return to at least the pre Omicron levels as to how much further it goes isn't clear but for sure the high peak on Waterloo concourse is consigned to history. This is no bad thing in a way as the infrastructure and rolling stock was being pushed to the limit so better to have a slightly lower service that runs like clockwork day day out.
Monday to Friday has been published. SWR are still working on Saturday/Sunday from 22 Jan. In the SWR Metro thread yesterday there was reference to the SWR press release about retention of some Class 707s until August as a result of delays with 701 introduction. Until WFH guidance changes then I can see a lot of trains carrying fresh air for now. My SWR train to Reading yesterday (08.47 off Martins Heron) was almost empty - one other person in my carriage.
Id guess they have cut some of the busier services such as early Hounslow to London trains (earliest previously arrived 06:09 -new timetable will be 07:26), but some of the quieter services like you mention will be kept. What will happen in August when the 707s go off and the 701s inevitably still not in service if the timetable does not meet demand?
Imagined or not, it’s been suggested in so many SWR threads already it might have been subliminally assumed…
Weekends now published. Reading line is unchanged, ie as per Pre-Covid.
Seems to be working ok now.
How brain dead are SWR? They put back in peak services whilst the WFH restrictions are in place, then take them out when more people are travelling. Just how stupid is that?Weekends now published. Reading line is unchanged, ie as per Pre-Covid.
The weekday Reading line timetable appears to be the same one as used in the three lockdowns and actually has more peak hour trains than now, but shuts up shop earlier because SWR don't want us going out at night.
Yes it looks that way. Also a big gap from 2100 to 2235. The Salisbury line doesn't seem to be as badly affected as The Southampton line.
And the theatre! I always get the 23:05 (as I don't like rushing for the earlier one and would rather comfortably get on). Looks like that is OK for Saturdays but I have a Tuesday and a couple of Fridays coming up!
Why would they want to cut busier services and keep quieter ones?
Indeed, the new service to Salisbury and Exeter is incredibly poor. Compulsory change and 20 min wait at Salisbury even at peak times. Only 2 hourly west of Salisbury with a gap in the evening of over 2.5 hrs at Honiton. This "joke" service cannot be sustainable for more than a few weeks surely? Revenue west of Salisbury will be decimated.