[Travel] Trains (again), Safety

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Great news that the trains have now gotten so bad that MPs are getting involved. Let's see the club refuse to engage on that level, even if they've repeatedly refused to engage at fan level. Over to you PBOBE...

*edit* and furk right off chailey monkey, we're talking to the organ grinder here

 

[jcdenton08]

Great news that the trains have now got so bad that MPs are getting involved. Let's see the club refuse to engage on that level, even if they've repeatedly refused to engage at fan level. Over to you PBOBE

I’m currently “working with” (we’ve exchanged a few emails) MP for Lewes James MacLeary.

I can assure you he is just as pissed off with Southern as the rest of us and is “applying pressure”.

Contacted him during my dispute with Southern, and he’s been on telly and local news a bit recently talking about the train problems in the region. (Very possible that a huge number of complaints from constituents plus his own experiences trying to commute to Parliament from Newhaven have driven him to take this seriously, unlike outgoing Tory MP Maria “The Invisible Woman” Caulfield)

 

[Springal]

Great news that the trains have now gotten so bad that MPs are getting involved. Let's see the club refuse to engage on that level, even if they've repeatedly refused to engage at fan level. Over to you PBOBE...

*edit* and furk right off chailey monkey, we're talking to the organ grinder here

I’d imagine it’s more directed at Southern then the club…

 

[Professor Plum]

I’m currently “working with” (we’ve exchanged a few emails) MP for Lewes James MacLeary.

I can assure you he is just as pissed off with Southern as the rest of us and is “applying pressure”.

Contacted him during my dispute with Southern, and he’s been on telly and local news a bit recently talking about the train problems in the region. (Very possible that a huge number of complaints from constituents plus his own experiences trying to commute to Parliament from Newhaven have driven him to take this seriously, unlike outgoing Tory MP Maria “The Invisible Woman” Caulfield)

Well done.

 

[Easy 10]

Saturday was fine post-match, as it usually is on a Satdee (although it was still a bit of a shitshow at Brighton Station pre-match - I got there at 4.25 and only JUST made kickoff).

Midweeks are so bad now though that if its on telly, I'm seriously tempted not to bother. I binned off all the EFL Cup games, and was bloody glad I did. The issue has just got worse and worse post lockdown. And the good news ? No more Saturday home games till 2025.

Yay.

 

[amexer]

At last. I'm full of praise for the club in most ways but despite the excellent travel subsidies, they have failed to accept the fact that it's not enough, and that travel is still a nightmare for many fans. If they won't grasp the nettle it's time this was escalated to another level. It's not just a club and convenience topic but a matter of public safety and public order. I spend £25 a match on Seagull Travel because I couldn't hack it anymore.

PB has said travel nothing to do with club.

 

[Dave the OAP]

PB has said travel nothing to do with club.

That is right…it’s a bit “ slopey shoulders”;really. The club’s argument is that we have given you all free transport, told you all to stay behind after the final whistle for an hour ( oh and we will put up a fan zone to help you) or two , it’s not our fault it’s the railways and it’s not our fault the park and ride queues are too long, too many of you are using them.

trouble is really around evening games where people are not going to stay behind, they just want to get home.

for evening games, IMHO the travel model is flawed.

BTW getting out the C car park at the uni yesterday was bloody awful and took ages.

 

[timbha]

That is right…it’s a bit “ slopey shoulders”;really. The club’s argument is that we have given you all free transport, told you all to stay behind after the final whistle for an hour ( oh and we will put up a fan zone to help you) or two , it’s not our fault it’s the railways and it’s not our fault the park and ride queues are too long, too many of you are using them.

trouble is really around evening games where people are not going to stay behind, they just want to get home.

for evening games, IMHO the travel model is flawed.

BTW getting out the C car park at the uni yesterday was bloody awful and took ages.

Is there a PL stadium car park where it is quick (or not mega slow) to get away?

Ditto…. by main line train from the stadium?

 

[mile oak]

However much everyone works together there is a limit to the number of trains you can shunt along the line. As twitrer replies have stated it was all full steam ahead building the ground but little thought and binding commitment for travel to meet demand. A major failure. Catstrophic failure. The club cant force the railways to up their game and they'll always have the upper hand. The system as built and 'planned' isnt fit for moving 30k plus people in short time scales. I dont believe there is 1 size fits all solution.But it could include building pubs and restaurants within walking distance of the stadium. Not necessarily on Amex soil. That would move fans further afield and Im sure attract some to eat and drink post match.and stagger journeys. Weve started building this but we need far far fra far far more. 8pm ko and it wont help much. Does that land even exist? You still have to physically move legs along. I think the railway stn so near helps and hinders. Take Southampton St Marys as an example ppl move in all direction and by the time you walk to the station crowds disperse.

STAND BEHIND THE YELLOW LINE
STAND BEHIND THE YELLOW LINE

FFS surprised the shouting stroppy woman on the old bridge at Falmer station after the match hasn’t been mentioned on this thread.
She didn’t need a microphone, I thought she was going to have a complete meltdown and storm off at one point. Well over the top.

maybe but perhaps for some ppl not OTT

 

[ROSM]

It's not so much extra trains, but ensuring there are 8 carriage ones and they are filled properly

 

[mile oak]

Im no fans of the railways per se BUT what legal binding agreement was in place when the club pursued Falmer? Can they hold Southern to account or was this arrangement all done on good will that has subsequently drained away? If Southern cannot be held to account (hard to see how they can because whether genuine or not staff shortage and practical shuffling trains around how can a non-train company person argue against al this (I don't work for railways so i don't know about staff rota sickness stock carriage availability and so on). I go back to this is of the clubs making they pursued Falmer (without wishing to argue was it he right wrong option only option etc etc) it is the option the place we play (and compared to Withdean wow what a stadium) BUT travel is all part of the matchday experience and until youve suffered the trains you dont really with all due respects appreciate how awful it is. Solution? I suggest its a multiple answer, the club will no doubt say the fan zone once operational will help, I say it will be a drop in the ocean. Too many fish all swimming in 1 direction. I throw into the mix I believe we need more ppl moving towards Woodingdean i.e. in another direction, but the land probably private needs a car pk and somehow we need to organise perhaps that if you park there you only travel south after the match and dont add to the A27 carnage. All easier said than done but I dislike the thought the club have washed their hands of this which is what some posts herein seem to be suggesting. I sincerely hope they have not washed their hands of this because its an ongoing issue and effects so many thousands of its supporters.

 

[abc]

PB has said travel nothing to do with club.

Which is PB for ‘the club couldn’t give a sh1t’

 

[mile oak]

Which is PB for ‘the club couldn’t give a sh1t’

Is this true, where is the evidence? I think IF true it will anger many thousands of fans. I believe the club have a moral responsibility here. They may well feel the demand is greater than supply and take the couldn't care less approach but these things tend to bite you later. I certainly hope the club DO care and will join any collaborative efforts to improve the travel experience for fans.

 

[BN9 BHA]

maybe but perhaps for some ppl not OTT

No maybe about it and she was very OTT.

This was about an hour after the final whistle and the platforms on both sides were busy but not overcrowded.
Everyone seemed to be behaving themselves on the platforms but some people walking along the platform were slightly crossing the yellow line to walk past others.
She was on the old bridge in line with the Brighton platform and constantly shouting the same thing over again, many people around me on the Lewes bound platform were commenting because it she was booming through the speakers.

At one point the Brighton bound train came in and when it left she was quiet for a moment as the next lot of passengers hadn’t been let through, she then decided to start shouting at our platform. Everyone on our platform was behind the line at this stage (I leaned forward and looked) as the staff were doing a good job of organising everyone.

 

[ROSM]

Im no fans of the railways per se BUT what legal binding agreement was in place when the club pursued Falmer? Can they hold Southern to account or was this arrangement all done on good will that has subsequently drained away? If Southern cannot be held to account (hard to see how they can because whether genuine or not staff shortage and practical shuffling trains around how can a non-train company person argue against al this (I don't work for railways so i don't know about staff rota sickness stock carriage availability and so on). I go back to this is of the clubs making they pursued Falmer (without wishing to argue was it he right wrong option only option etc etc) it is the option the place we play (and compared to Withdean wow what a stadium) BUT travel is all part of the matchday experience and until youve suffered the trains you dont really with all due respects appreciate how awful it is. Solution? I suggest its a multiple answer, the club will no doubt say the fan zone once operational will help, I say it will be a drop in the ocean. Too many fish all swimming in 1 direction. I throw into the mix I believe we need more ppl moving towards Woodingdean i.e. in another direction, but the land probably private needs a car pk and somehow we need to organise perhaps that if you park there you only travel south after the match and dont add to the A27 carnage. All easier said than done but I dislike the thought the club have washed their hands of this which is what some posts herein seem to be suggesting. I sincerely hope they have not washed their hands of this because its an ongoing issue and effects so many thousands of its supporters.

But pre covid it wasn't as bad as it is now. TOCs all reduced rolling stock to reduce costs.

They have also alienated their staff to such a a degree they don't work as many voluntary shifts as before.

It has worked and can be made to work again but needs collaboration (and money)

 

[beorhthelm]

However much everyone works together there is a limit to the number of trains you can shunt along the line. As twitrer replies have stated it was all full steam ahead building the ground but little thought and binding commitment for travel to meet demand. A major failure. Catstrophic failure.

i'd say getting Falmer was a complete success. getting around the objectors that said transport could cope was well faught battle. the alternative was staying at Withdean and stagnation in L1+L2, or worse.

 

[amexer]

For those in the know surely when original agreement was made with rail people a sum was agreed between the two that a certain number of trains would be made available on matchdays. If rail do not fullfill there part of agreement do Albion withdraw payment.

 

[Professor Plum]

But it could include building pubs and restaurants within walking distance of the stadium. Not necessarily on Amex soil. That would move fans further afield and Im sure attract some to eat and drink post match.and stagger journeys.

No one’s going to finance this (assuming they could even get the land and the licensing) for the sake of 20 events per year. As has been said, the great majority of people just want to get away, especially evening games.

 

[Is it PotG?]

I'd like to think that with the recent apparent fall in quality of service and subsequent interest of someone with any clout, then Barbs OBE might put his head above the parapet.
A comment would be nice.
I'm off to hold my breath ......

 

[jackalbion]

There was someone with a clicker on both sides yesterday. Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t there. MPs can ask for the service to be better all they want, but until they tender rolling stock additions nothing will change. Yesterday I found the service to and from absolutely fine. It was a busy train, but if you are expecting a train not to be full to the brim, and have a seat for everyone, then you are going to have to go earlier sorry.