[Travel] Train disruption Tonight (Cup versus Liverpool)

[Uter]

Since the ancient class 313 fleet was scrapped recently, and not completely replaced by Electrostar units from Southeastern, I get the impression that Southern are a few units short of being able to run the sort of service they'd like. And not just on matchdays, but every day.

Best we can really hope for is some compatible rolling stock comes off lease in the next couple of years and is cascaded to Southern.

Probably wishful thinking, but Southeastern are currently tendering for a new fleet of trains to replace their Networker fleet. If large enough (difficult to find specifics on this; 350-570 carriages is the only estimate I could find), this could potentially release a few Electrostars to be cascaded somewhere; ideally for us, Southern.

In the era of higher interest rates and increased financial support for operators, I suspect there is no political appetite for a new fleet order for Southern in the next few years. Just keep your fingers crossed and hope that passenger numbers keep increasing until the point they pretty much have to secure additional trains.

 

[Hometownglory]

I am happy to be more flexible on weekends but midweek games are a total nightmare travelling back West. Having to get up at 6am for work, I almost dread this aspect of the match day experience. I really enjoy games under the lights but I'm seriously considering not attending midweek as it can just take so long to get home. I guess I could start leaving early, which by my nature, is not something I want to do when I've paid for a ticket. If the game is on a knife-edge you end up missing potentially memorable moments as I did the Ali Mac pen via Utd. I fully understand why people do leave 80+ mins as leaving at FT can add an hour plus onto your travel home. It's a real shame.

The club have the money for my ticket so I guess they wouldn't be bothered if I'm actually there or not...

 

[Uter]

The planning days were so long ago that it wasn't Southern when the process started - it was Connex. I remember the great and still-missed Lord Bracknell saying that the whole transport side did have a lot of holes in it that the club were glossing over - such as saying that 100%, yes 100% of away fans would arrive by coach! On the trains side he said our whole argument was based on little more than a single A4 letter from Connex saying "Yeah, we can cope with the crowds". We were lucky that our opponents were almost solely focussed on the environmental impact of the stadium build itself.

Not sure about that. Connex went in 2001.

Edit: Just checked, first planning application went in Sept 2001, so could have been some overlap. My memory had it as a few years later.

 

[METALMICKY]

Amidst the train misery there was a bit of light relief on the bridge down to the eastbound ramp to Lewes thanks to some idiot scousers.

As per usual instead of bearing left immediately, 5 rather moody looking scousers went down the outside and then cut in. Four of them managed it with little resistance but a straggler was spotted by a steward who initially quite firmly told him to go back. It then went back and forth for a couple of minutes whilst he and his mates tried to argue he'd just been for a piss. To be fair to the steward he tried his best but then the reality of 5 arsey scallies and him being on min wage made him relent at it just wasn't worth the hassle and they did look the sort to turn nasty.

The said bunch then proceeded to rather loudly giggle and celebrate their ' little victory ' all the way to the top of the ramp down to the platform for about 10 mins. It was at that point that one of our younger lads trying to keep a straight face informed them they needed to be on the westbound platform to Brighton. The much wailing and gnashing of teeth was glorious to behold!

 

[Terry Butcher Tribute Act]

Not quite sure what your issue is here mate.

Chat about trains broadens into general discussion about Amex transport, on a side note one person says it might be worth increasing sheltered bike parking due to increased number of people using it as a method, no one offers any opposition or argument against.

No issue at all and I'm sure it's a very valid point, but it's vaguely amusing that someone can look at a photo of five f***ing thousand people queuing for a 3 coach train on Wednesday evening and turn it into a request for bikes to have a dry seat when it rains

Never change NSC, never change

 

[ATFC Seagull]

No issue at all and I'm sure it's a very valid point, but it's vaguely amusing that someone can look at a photo of five f***ing thousand people queuing for a 3 coach train on Wednesday evening and turn it into a request for bikes to have a dry seat when it rains

Never change NSC, never change

Fair point.

 

[Brovion]

Not sure about that. Connex went in 2001.

Edit: Just checked, first planning application went in Sept 2001, so could have been some overlap. My memory had it as a few years later.

Yeah, it was definitely Connex who were the operator when the application was being prepared. I remember having a pint with Lord B whilst he outlined the issues.

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

My understanding is that there will be a lot of new fancy bike racks double stacked and covered before end of the year.

 

[Gwylan]

No issue at all and I'm sure it's a very valid point, but it's vaguely amusing that someone can look at a photo of five f***ing thousand people queuing for a 3 coach train on Wednesday evening and turn it into a request for bikes to have a dry seat when it rains

Never change NSC, never change

But it's a relevant point. If that 5,000 could be reduced because 500 more people cycled, then the queue is shorter. I mentioned earlier that more people should look at the bus as an option, if 500 more did that, then the queue is shorter still.

For reasons that have already been outlined, there's little chance that there's going to be much increased capacity on trains for mid-week games so there's going to have to be a more effort in looking for alternatives. Cycling and buses are two options. Maybe a website dedicated to car sharing could be another option. Fred Bloggs posts that he's driving from Portslade to the Bridge car park and has two empty seats and, hey presto, the queue is reduced by two more.

Or look at the options locally. I live in Coldean and don't have a car but there's currently no option for my having a permit. Perhaps allocating permits per household rather than per car, would mean that there'd be spaces in Coldean and Moulsecoomb. It's not something the club can do but maybe work with the council on it.

Small changes: in Wales there's a saying "Gwnewch y pethau bychain" - it's doing the little things that matter. We're not going to produce a couple of thousand new places on trains but making other changes, things could improve.

All of this does one thing though: it kills any idea of increasing the size of the stadium stone dead. Can you imagine what the queues would have been like if 10,000 more people were queuing?

 

[Gazwag]

I think Wednesday was actually an unusual scenario. From the ticket thread it was clear there were still about 10k seats available after STH had purchased their seats so there could have been 5k to 8k fans who rarely/never go to games, especially midweek. Many/most would have gone by train, not knowing anything different and many/most left early and as there were only short trains available this clogged everything up.

 

[Hometownglory]

I think Wednesday was actually an unusual scenario. From the ticket thread it was clear there were still about 10k seats available after STH had purchased their seats so there could have been 5k to 8k fans who rarely/never go to games, especially midweek. Many/most would have gone by train, not knowing anything different and many/most left early and as there were only short trains available this clogged everything up.

Hmm not sure about this. I'm a season ticket holder but waited until after the ST window had passed so I could experience a different stand/view. I usually do this for cup games. I sat with a friend who also did this.

 

[Terry Butcher Tribute Act]

But it's a relevant point. If that 5,000 could be reduced because 500 more people cycled, then the queue is shorter. I mentioned earlier that more people should look at the bus as an option, if 500 more did that, then the queue is shorter

Well yes. It's a relevant point if you believe that 500 people are going to suddenly start cycling on a Tuesday night in the pissing rain if they can leave their bike covered.

But anyway, sounds like the club are expanding bike ranks so that can only be a good thing

 

[Bodian]

I get the impression that Southern are a few units short of being able to run the sort of service

Is that the same as being a sandwich short of a picnic?

 

[Madafwo]

If there is an accident on the A27 are the club responsible for that too?

No, somehow it will be Southern/their staff's fault according to some on here.

 

[Gazwag]

I can confirm getting home from Liverpool is worse than getting home from the Amex

 

[Ooh it’s a corner]

My journey has been ok so far - stayed to clap the lads off then walked to Lime St for 17.50 and on the 18.08 to Bham with a seat and a charging point. Added bonus of pretty blonde woman sitting with me

 

[Weststander]

My journey has been ok so far - stayed to clap the lads off then walked to Lime St for 17.50 and on the 18.08 to Bham with a seat and a charging point. Added bonus of pretty blonde woman sitting with me

I don’t mind that all downhill stroll, so easy.

 

[amexer]

Enough is enough. The senior board at the club need to be made aware in no small measure that this is just unacceptable.
Perhaps PBOBE should walk down and actually take a look for himself?
Is that fan board thing still going? I can’t think of a bigger fan problem than this.

Will never forget PBs statement that transport was nothing to do with club. Well on the basis I assume club pays a hefty sum to train people it is a lot to do with them. After nights like that I would just like to him him say he has sympathy for supporters and will speak to train people. Surely whatever money Albion pay it comes with agreement that an agreed number of trains are in service on match days. Like last night when there are not enough trains Albion should get a refund. (maybe they do )

 

[amexer]

Bike storage covers - I might make my second ever email to the club/PBOBE and ask that they also cover the bike rack opposite.

They wont if there is a cost

 

[Gazwag]

My journey has been ok so far - stayed to clap the lads off then walked to Lime St for 17.50 and on the 18.08 to Bham with a seat and a charging point. Added bonus of pretty blonde woman sitting with me

We have a seat thankfully as we got on the Euston train at 1810 when it arrived, but the aisles are full the whole length of the train, it's a long way to stand