Tyne and Wear Metro - Printable Version +- North East Buses (https://northeastbuses.co.uk/forums) +-- Forum: Other Forms of Transport (https://northeastbuses.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?fid=11) +--- Forum: Railways (https://northeastbuses.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?fid=12) +--- Thread: Tyne and Wear Metro (/showthread.php?tid=68) |
RE: Tyne and Wear Metro - MurdnunoC - 18 Jul 2013 (18 Jul 2013, 6:45 pm)BJ10VUS wrote I don't mind if the Metro is off for a reason, because at the end of the day, it probably can't be helped. It's just the way they deal with it (and the fact it's now happening nearly EVERY day!) Yeah, this is beginning to be a real issue. As you say, some of the problems can't be helped. But to give simplified reasons like Oh, the Metro's aren't running because the weather's too hot makes it look like they're providing excuses rather than answers. There's no denying that its been hot over the past week or so, but, there have been times where the weather has been just as hot (Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23355833) so it would be interesting to draw parallels between how the Metro performed then against now. It just looks like the weather has provided a convenient excuse to cover a whole host of problems. Being told "Metro's off, you know?" by staff at the station doesn't really help. They should also learn which buses actually serve stations during the day and at other times - for example, when it was off in Sunderland a few days ago, according to the NEXUS website, the 26A could be used as a replacement - erm... isn't that just an evening service on weekdays? Obviously, it's going to be a struggle to provide Metro Replacement Buses at such short notice. But, since disruption is now becoming such a regular occurrence, you'd think that there would be some emergency contingency agreement that would come into immediate effect. This information could be permanently displayed at all Metro stations in order to familiarise passengers with details of alternative transport provision (something along the lines of 'In the unfortunate event that we are not able to provide your Metro service; then please use the following services if Metro Replacement Buses are unavailable...) - in addition to this information being made available through Nexus' website and social media. At the appropriate juncture, the information could immediately relayed to relevant bus companies, and passengers, although inconvenienced, would have some idea of what service to catch and whether their tickets would be valid. It's almost too simple. RE: Tyne and Wear Metro - BJ10VUS - 18 Jul 2013 I think information really is really badly communicated to the bus companies. The bus drivers shouldn't be blamed, because at the end of the day, it's not their fault that Metro passengers can't use the trains. Personally though, I think that tickets should be able to be used on more bus services. For example, five 27s ending up at Gateshead with not even standing room only. I really do feel sorry for the drivers - it's challenging enough keeping that route to time as it is! I think it's a shame the people at Metro don't seem to have a clue about even the most frequent bus services running nearby Metro stations, because (for example Newcastle-Heworth/Sunderland) there are (usually) double deckers on the X9/X10 and also services such as the X3 and X36 operating the same route - it could help bus companies by splitting the loads of passengers and clear the pathways. Then again, I don't know how that would affect services and the 'financials'? RE: Tyne and Wear Metro - Adrian - 18 Jul 2013 I hope the operators are charging Metro proper rates for having to deal with their daily fiascos. It's no wonder the 27 is unreliable when it's having to compensate for the Metro on a daily basis. RE: Tyne and Wear Metro - BJ10VUS - 18 Jul 2013 (18 Jul 2013, 10:02 pm)aureolin wrote I hope the operators are charging Metro proper rates for having to deal with their daily fiascos. It's no wonder the 27 is unreliable when it's having to compensate for the Metro on a daily basis. The bus companies are probably going to end up raking in millions with the state of Metro's current reliability - especially GNE and Arriva! But, getting back to the serious point - I'm really starting to wonder what the refurbishment of the trains actually involves? It was only when the so-called 'new' trains returned that we saw a drop in service reliability! RE: Tyne and Wear Metro - Andreos1 - 19 Jul 2013 Whilst there are the issues with track, electricity supply problems, failed trains and the heat, it wasn't that long ago that the metro was 'off' on a regular basis due to cable thefts etc. The comment about the new trains is interesting - are the failed trains the ones that have been refurbished or are they the trains still to be worked on? Is it coincidence that this has all happened since the part privatisation of the system? Either way, to have so many problems in such a short space of time, is a disaster. It also goes to show how restricted and fragmented our public transport network is, however much it is lauded. Would Glasgow or London come to a standstill due to a failed train or problems with electricity supply? It probably wouldn't, due to the various alternatives passengers have in those cities - something we don't have. I'm trying (honestly) to not get political about this - but by having the limited bus service which runs alongside the metro, Nexus are so reliant on having to get the 900 up and running. Would the issues faced by passengers or the stories we have heard about alternative sources of transport be as bad if we had QCS? In London, if a section of the Picaddilly line goes down, whilst there being the inevitable disruption and upset, an alternative is always available in a very short space of time. Bus drivers are made aware more or less straight away, with underground bosses not needing to follow a procedure which involves ringing around the various operators, trying to communicate with managers, who then need to relay to it to the depots, who then need to relay it to the drivers - whilst at the same time trying to arrange a 900 to cover the affected area. RE: Tyne and Wear Metro - MurdnunoC - 22 Jul 2013 Another day, yet another Metro problem. Tyne and Wear Metro wroteThere are major delays to trains running between Monument and South Shields and South Hylton due to a failed train. Please leave extra time for your journey. Tyne and Wear Metro wroteThere are no trains running between Monument and Heworth in both directions until further notice. This is due to a failed train. Bus replacement 900 is running between Monument and Heworth. Go North East are accepting Metro tickets in the affected area. Bus services 57,58,27 operate between Monument and Heworth. We will update you as soon as we have more information. I wonder what the cause of failed train was this time? - Didn't have its Weetabix? Andreos1 wroteIs it coincidence that this has all happened since the part privatisation of the system? I wonder about this too. However, the recent problems have caused me to view this question from a slightly different angle. I was under the impression that Deutsche Bahn are quite well respected within the transport industry for precision and reliability. IIRC, this was the line peddled when the Metro became part-privatised. So, have these problems occurred because of Deutsche Bahn through poor maintenance etc? Or, was the Metro pretty knackered to begin and did Nexus simply palm it off onto DB to avoid the flack (and cost) of persistent system failure (which hasn't really worked)? - Now, I wonder whether DB really knew what they were getting themselves into. RE: Tyne and Wear Metro - BJ10VUS - 22 Jul 2013 I personally think, if it is the same trains that are breaking down, they should take them out of service for a period of time and get them fixed properly. I wouldn't mind a reduced service - I'm sure people would prefer a train every 20 minutes (every 10 minutes between South Gosforth and Pelaw) instead of a one every 12 or so minutes (every 6 minutes between South Gosforth and Pelaw) that will get stuck in a tunnel or break down. It's still hot, but nowhere near as hot as last week, and I'm certain that it has something to do with the so-called 'refurbished' trains, as they're the ones that are breaking down the majority of the time. I think they should halt the refurbishment programme for the trains and just buy the new trains ASAP. I know it's easier said than done, but it would create jobs and probably persuade people to use the Metro system, rather than deter them. RE: Tyne and Wear Metro - Kuyoyo - 22 Jul 2013 (22 Jul 2013, 10:31 am)BJ10VUS wrote I think they should halt the refurbishment programme for the trains and just buy the new trains ASAP. I know it's easier said than done, but it would create jobs and probably persuade people to use the Metro system, rather than deter them. Ok then, are you prepared to pay a hugely increased fare to pay for such trains. The reason they are refurbishing the old and not buying new is that the bulk of the £385million Government grant is mainly for the infrastructure. Hence why the stock is being refurbished not replaced. Personally, my hope is that the stock will be replaced once Network Rail and the DfT agree to the electrication of the Durham Coast Line, which would then mean the wires between Pelaw and Sunderland world have to be increased to 25kv AC from the current 1500v DC. Replacing the current trains with Metro-style EMU instead of purpose built stock as now. RE: Tyne and Wear Metro - Adrian - 22 Jul 2013 There's a refurbished Metrocar broken down between Illford Road and South Gosforth. It's stuck in the sidings being worked on. RE: Tyne and Wear Metro - BJ10VUS - 22 Jul 2013 (22 Jul 2013, 10:57 am)Kuyoyo wrote(22 Jul 2013, 10:31 am)BJ10VUS wrote I think they should halt the refurbishment programme for the trains and just buy the new trains ASAP. I know it's easier said than done, but it would create jobs and probably persuade people to use the Metro system, rather than deter them. Well I'm not saying buy them today! I'm just saying, buy them sooner rather than have 20 years of more disruption. Why should we pay increased fares for refurbishing trains that are breaking down? I'd rather pay an increased fare for trains that run well. RE: Tyne and Wear Metro - Dan - 22 Jul 2013 To members of the general public, wouldn't these refurbished trains be seen as 'new' anyway? I imagine to most they wouldn't know the difference between refurbished and new. I highly doubt that members of the public would see a correlation between these Metrocars failing and them being refurbished or not - they'll just think, "It's only another 12 minutes until the next one" (providing there's not mass disruption as per usual events). That said, I would prefer (if it increased reliability) that new Metrocars were purchased. RE: Tyne and Wear Metro - MurdnunoC - 22 Jul 2013 (22 Jul 2013, 10:57 am)Kuyoyo wrote(22 Jul 2013, 10:31 am)BJ10VUS wrote I think they should halt the refurbishment programme for the trains and just buy the new trains ASAP. I know it's easier said than done, but it would create jobs and probably persuade people to use the Metro system, rather than deter them. The stock would still need to be 'purpose-built', so to speak, due to diameter of the tunnels running through Gateshead and Newcastle and also the loading gauges at Metro stations. I asked a similar question in the past and that's the response I received from Nexus (although a bit more detailed). Unless you're suggesting that if the Durham Coast Line were electrified, the Metro should be curtailed back to Pelaw on that section of line? aureolin wroteThere's a refurbished Metrocar broken down between Illford Road and South Gosforth. It's stuck in the sidings being worked on. Oh dear. RE: Tyne and Wear Metro - Adrian - 22 Jul 2013 4058 / 4090 is the broken down Metrocar pair I mentioned earlier. There are another two sets in the depot at Gosforth. One being 4018. Couldn't see the back car, nor could I get the number of the second set when passing. Both are yet to be refurbished sets. RE: Tyne and Wear Metro - Adrian - 22 Jul 2013 (22 Jul 2013, 10:57 am)Kuyoyo wrote Ok then, are you prepared to pay a hugely increased fare to pay for such trains. The reason they are refurbishing the old and not buying new is that the bulk of the £385million Government grant is mainly for the infrastructure. Hence why the stock is being refurbished not replaced. People have paid increased fares year on year since the system opened. I've used it more the past month than I have in the past 10 years, and the ticket price seemed to go up every time I bought one. It's no wonder my expenses got queried. This is not to mention the various levies depending on where in Tyne and Wear you happen to live. It's only in the last few years when everyone's budget is already tight that the ITA wanted to start investing. Realistically it should have happened between 1997-2006, when the Labour government were more than happy to piss money up the wall on everything and anything. Instead we're doing everything on a big bang approach. RE: Tyne and Wear Metro - MurdnunoC - 22 Jul 2013 (22 Jul 2013, 3:11 pm)aureolin wrote Realistically it should have happened between 1997-2006, when the Labour government were more than happy to piss money up the wall on everything and anything. Instead we're doing everything on a big bang approach. Yeah, they were happy enough to give the go-ahead for the Sunderland Extension after nearly 20 years of continuous prodding from the Wearside transport lobby. The 'Towards 2016' pamphlet that was produced around that time strongly hinted towards the development of a new fleet of Metro cars looking very similar to the Manchester Metrolink if memory serves (I used to have a copy of the booklet, I've seen it listed in the 'Bygone' section but I've haven't taken the opportunity to look at it yet!). That time window would have probably provided the optimum opportunity for some investment. I'm not talking about the replacement of the whole fleet, but one or two new Metro cars to go along with the new extension probably wouldn't have been too much of an ask now, would it? Lol, Towards 2016. We're nearly there now. I wonder how much of what's in there has been achieved. I think we probably have more chance of seeing Hoverboards in 2015. RE: Tyne and Wear Metro - Adrian - 22 Jul 2013 (22 Jul 2013, 5:58 pm)AdamY wrote(22 Jul 2013, 3:11 pm)aureolin wrote Realistically it should have happened between 1997-2006, when the Labour government were more than happy to piss money up the wall on everything and anything. Instead we're doing everything on a big bang approach. There was a link for the Nexus Towards 2016 document in the Bygone Era, but the link appears to be broken now. Maybe one of the admins can fix it? RE: Tyne and Wear Metro - MurdnunoC - 22 Jul 2013 Just found this short article from 2001 regarding the cost of building the Sunderland Extension from a member of the Light Railway Transit Association named Iain Frew. It forms part of a larger set of updates on the Tyne and Wear Metro. The full version is available here: http://www.lrta.org/tynewear.html Update June 2000 RE: Tyne and Wear Metro - MurdnunoC - 22 Jul 2013 I think it's interesting that South Hylton was cited as a possible Park and Ride facility. Obviously, it never happened. But I wonder how that would have panned out? RE: Tyne and Wear Metro - Adrian - 22 Jul 2013 (22 Jul 2013, 6:48 pm)AdamY wrote I think it's interesting that South Hylton was cited as a possible Park and Ride facility. Obviously, it never happened. But I wonder how that would have panned out? I don't know where it could have went? The just before the station is South Hylton Pasture, which I'm sure is a nature reserve of some sort. Plus there's only one narrow road in and out - not really suitable for traffic. RE: Tyne and Wear Metro - Andreos1 - 22 Jul 2013 Looking at a satellite image, the only space would be behind The Hylton pub. Looks like there is a small car park already, but extending that would rule out extending the track towards the Victoria Viaduct. RE: Tyne and Wear Metro - Michael - 24 Jul 2013 I'm i dreaming or has their not being a fault on the metro so far today..Can it go rest of the day without any faults? post 5pm (lets see how long it lasts from this post) RE: Tyne and Wear Metro - Adrian - 24 Jul 2013 (24 Jul 2013, 4:00 pm)Michael wrote I'm i dreaming or has their not being a fault on the metro so far today..Can it go rest of the day without any faults? You've jinxed it now. RE: Tyne and Wear Metro - Dan - 24 Jul 2013 A whole 26 minutes after Michael's post! Oh dear... Anyone care to explain the 'extreme weather' part though? Do floods etc down south affect the Metro system here? RE: Tyne and Wear Metro - Michael - 24 Jul 2013 lmao i was just about to post about that!! I'm sorry but this is ridiculous, extreme weather?.... Abit of breeze and its clammy... RE: Tyne and Wear Metro - Tom - 24 Jul 2013 Dear me... Thats ridiculous, extreme weather? :L RE: Tyne and Wear Metro - Adrian - 24 Jul 2013 From their previous posts, it doesn't run if;
Pathetic really. It's like the 'all weather' football pitch we had at school. Couldn't use it if it was icy, snowing, or too wet... RE: Tyne and Wear Metro - Michael - 24 Jul 2013 (24 Jul 2013, 4:35 pm)aureolin wrote From their previous posts, it doesn't run if; It is, i'm glad i never use the metro, question time.... London has being hotter than up here, why has their transport system not failed yet due to the "extreme weather", The metro is just using excuses now. RE: Tyne and Wear Metro - Adrian - 24 Jul 2013 What I find interesting is the lack of information Metro provide on performance. I've just had a dig around on TFL's website, and found an example of what they provide. This is not me comparing the two systems in design, but simply how they present information to their customers and how transparent they are. Metro performance - http://www.nexus.org.uk/sites/nexus.org.uk/files/documents/page/Metro%20Charter%20poster%20P3%202013.pdf Underground performance - http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/lu-performance-report-period-1-2013-14.pdf RE: Tyne and Wear Metro - MurdnunoC - 24 Jul 2013 Well, we all know about how greatly the climate and weather conditions vary across the entire Metro network. Down 'south' in tropical South Hylton, the Metro has to pass through the rain forests of Palion and Millfield before reaching the beacon of civility that is Sunderland. Passengers are urged to fill up their water-bottles at Parl Lane Interchange and drink as much as they can as the intense heat can mess with your health as well as the Metro. The baron ,desolate landscapes of Equatorial Gateshead are also known to cause havoc due to the arid heat. Heading north into Newcastle, the climate is more moderate but the shear volume of people place the Metro under immense pressure especially during the rush hour. Eastwards, across the saltplains of Jarrow and Howdon, coastal storms strongly affect conditions there. Occasionally, tsunamis are known to appear near Cullercoats and Tynemouth penetrating inwards up the Tyne towards riverside locations. It's gets colder as the Metro heads further North towards Jesmond, Gosforth and Regent Centre. By the time you get to Kingston Park, icicles begin to appear on the windows. Kingston Park Tesco offers an opportunity for travelers to purchase thermal clothing before heading into the tundra of Bank Foot and Callerton Parkway. Newcastle Airport is, without doubt, the coldest place on the Metro system. Only the brave can withstand the arctic temperatures. Many try; very few live to tell the tale. Taking this all into consideration, it is evident that extreme weather exists across the Metro system. We should be thankful for what we've got. RE: Tyne and Wear Metro - Tom - 24 Jul 2013 There are no trains running between Monument and Heworth due to a police incident. Go North East are accepting Metro tickets in the affected area. Bus services 27 operate between Monument and Heworth. |