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Jan Chaudhry-van der Velde is to leave Merseyrail to become MD of the new West Midlands franchise, he'll be replaced by Andy Heath.

(13/11/2017 11:59)knutstransport Wrote: [ -> ]Jan Chaudhry-van der Velde is to leave Merseyrail to become MD of the new West Midlands franchise, he'll be replaced by Andy Heath.

Andy Heath is on BBC Merseyside's drive time show
He's not backing down on the issue of driver operated trains

^ Of course he isn't. Labour controlled Merseytravel have told them DOO must be implemented. Only way a change could possibly happen is if Labour councillors are replaced with Lib Dem ones (the Conservatives won't stop Labour's DOO plan happening.)

(13/11/2017 18:33)knutstransport Wrote: [ -> ]^ Of course he isn't. Labour controlled Merseytravel have told them DOO must be implemented. Only way a change could possibly happen is if Labour councillors are replaced with Lib Dem ones (the Conservatives won't stop Labour's DOO plan happening.)

It's what's on BBC Merseyside's Twitter feed, not my words
Edit: 41 mins in the interview with Andy Heath http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05kskm4#play

The power fault at Aughton Park must have now been fixed as had a 6 car train to Ormskirk this morning. The service was suspended between Maghull and Ormskirk for a short while yesterday afternoon with a replacement bus service provided by Aintree Coachline and Peoplesbus.

(14/11/2017 07:43)MX12CFE Wrote: [ -> ]The power fault at Aughton Park must have now been fixed as had a 6 car train to Ormskirk this morning. The service was suspended between Maghull and Ormskirk for a short while yesterday afternoon with a replacement bus service provided by Aintree Coachline and Peoplesbus.

Yesterday media reported services were back on for Ormskirk

(13/11/2017 18:43)RedPanda Wrote: [ -> ]It's what's on BBC Merseyside's Twitter feed, not my words
Edit: 41 mins in the interview with Andy Heath http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05kskm4#play

Merseyrail have to deliver to the specification Merseytravel require. If DOO is a problem then it's a problem created by Merseytravel which Merseyrail have to solve without saying "We're not going to do it."

The new version of the Wirral Line timetable has the Chester and Ellesmere Port service reverting to there original times.

I wonder whether the timetable implemented in the last few weeks will get review and be the basis for a leaf fall timetable.

Already this week, in two days, I have lost over two hours of my time to rail problems. 30 minutes yesterday thanks to Hunts Cross trains station-skipping either side of work, and over 90 minutes tonight as the evening peak descended into unfettered chaos. Even allowing for Merseyrail's abysmal performance in 2017, over two hours in just four journeys is impressive going!

Tonight we had a train sat at Central for some 30 minutes before people were finally turfed off to St George's Hall, a huge wait for replacement buses to turn up (understandable to an extent but no urgency shown or even approximate timescale offered) and staff who had no idea which Birkenhead station was for which Wirral Line route.

This year has felt like a return to the dark MTL 'Miseryrail' days. Virtually guaranteed a mix of cancellations, unexplained delays, trains skipping key stations when only a few minutes late and short-formed cattle pens every week. Chances are in a couple of years we won't even have a second member of staff aboard most trains and a smaller fleet to boot. Lots to look forward to!

Back to a major horse chestnut on the Northern Line , would it not be in everyones best interests to split the Southport - Liverpool Central service from the Liverpool Central to Hunts Cross side of the route .

Seems that because the because the Hunts Cross has to present itself correctly at Liverpool South Parkway any delay results in a skip stop service anywhere on the Southport - Hunts Cross line , maybe its time that Hunts Cross line service was provided off a much shorter line.