Transport for Wales Rail

[iMarkeh]

RE: Transport for Wales Rail

(08/07/2020 06:10)knutstransport Wrote:  ^ I wasn't complaining about commuter Mid-Cheshire services being 2 cars. I was referring to the fact there is ample patronage on them normally but Northern have decided not to run them in their COVID-19 timetable, so there's likely some other issue like a shortfall of drivers who sign the route. This was in response to someone saying they thought Northern would be providing a better service than TfW if they ran Chester-Warrington-Airport as they'll make money from it. The evidence shows if anything it's crew availability that dictates the service level on Northern services currently not passenger demand.

I'm not sure the unit off the Victoria-Chestsr does just replace an ECS. That working is only 2 cars and there is still an ECS of Sprinters to Chester when the normal timetable operates. If anything running that Victoria-Chester service makes the second Chester-Stockport less reliable as if there are issues on the Earlestown line it runs late or cancelled as the Victoria-Chester service can't run via Denton instead like an ECS from Newton Heath can.

Oh, Northern would probably treat Victoria to Chester quite well as they seemed to do pre covid. I think the Covid timetables is just Northern running the minimum they can on all lines. The Mid Cheshire line I admit isn't looked after much and i'm not sure why.

The Vic-Chester Sprinter ECS movement is at a 6am. It can't divert because it has a path set via Earlestown. It's not easy to divert trains ECS or in service. It ran via Earlestown prior to the regular passenger services. I don't know if it is just replacing ECS or it's a contractual agreement (perhaps both). Either one, it's a welcome additional trip.

Anyway, this is way off topic from what I said originally. These posts should perhaps be moved to the Northern thread.