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# .
(I helped save b3ta! Milkman Dan, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:24, archived)
# [ ] all of the above
(I helped save b3ta! mediocre ha ha ha, you're reading this, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:25, archived)
# ^ this
:|
(I helped save b3ta! urbane legend i have known the inexorable sadness of pencils, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:26, archived)
# haha
virgin public transport
(I helped save b3ta! Jenk Neptune is a pedant and now I can't fit my sig in, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:26, archived)
#
public pubic transport
(I helped save b3ta! Monsieur Monster I heard Seriously talk the first time. in here., Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:30, archived)
#
public pubic pub transport
(Bastard, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:47, archived)
#
public pubic pub transport
(I helped save b3ta! AutoPrawn is glad we're living in the future now, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 13:08, archived)
# I was just having a lurk
and had to sign in just to woo and click this.
(I helped save b3ta! nick the greek, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:26, archived)
# ^ this, woo and a click
/goes back to work :(
(I helped save b3ta! Dixipoos Bye Bye Blackbird, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:31, archived)
# my seat had a shit on it!
that dooorty bastard!
(likeajackhammer, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:28, archived)
# Virgin Trains...
Bah.. They are terrible.. But you have no Choice if you want to go to certain destinations.. And all the Train Companies are equally Useless...

Thank the Lord they opened up the railways to competition...
(I helped save b3ta! Spenface ALWAYS hangs in the Buffalo Stance, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:30, archived)
# Yes... thank god
It has made all our lives so much better...
(I helped save b3ta! Monsieur Monster I heard Seriously talk the first time. in here., Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:31, archived)
# i had great fun on a virgin train...
i sat, drunk as a lord, in the "quiet carriage" and shouted "SHHHHHHH!!!!" at anyone who breathed
(likeajackhammer, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:32, archived)
# Hahaha
(I helped save b3ta! AutoPrawn is glad we're living in the future now, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:34, archived)
# Arrgh pet topic of mine
it's not privatised at all. Privatisation is where companies comepete against each other. The railways are lots of little monopolies over sections of track. There is no competition and no reason for the rail companies to provide good service.
(I helped save b3ta! Milkman Dan, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:32, archived)
# And there's no competition for trains at specific times
If you need to get somewhere at 12:30 you don't get to choose from a variety of companies that'll get you there.
(Mucifer I like mooses, best of all the animals, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:35, archived)
# exactly
privatisation only works when you have companies scrapping each other to get your custom. On the railways they have it sown up for their particular patch
(I helped save b3ta! Milkman Dan, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:37, archived)
# until it comes up for tender
then they scrap for it
(I helped save b3ta! swaza I'm bad, I'm bad. You know it. I'm bad., Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:43, archived)
# It also only works for services where "trying to make money" equals "providing a good service".
I don't think this includes transport.
(I helped save b3ta! Newington, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 17:44, archived)
# they are franchises
the rail companies each bid against each other to get that franchise

network rail then chose the train opperating company that they think does the best bid
(I helped save b3ta! swaza I'm bad, I'm bad. You know it. I'm bad., Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:41, archived)
# if only it worked like that in practice
frequently, companies underbid in order to get the franchise, and are then forced to either reduce service or demand money back from the government, which on many occasions they've got, as the government doesn't want to see the companies pull the plug. Even on the better managed franchises, the short term nature of the deal stops investment in new rolling stock.
(I helped save b3ta! Milkman Dan, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:44, archived)
# the timetable is predefine by network rail
and some base case scenarios are given, with all data held in a data room that is available to each company

the companies then do their rolling stock diagrams and then have to bid back for timetable changes
then they have to fit the crew into this

it is all rather complicated

edit: also, they don't all own their own rolling stock
(I helped save b3ta! swaza I'm bad, I'm bad. You know it. I'm bad., Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:48, archived)
# this is true
and I also appreciate that Virgin Rail's main punctuality problem is New Street which isn't designed to cope with the weight of movements. That's not their fault, but they could still do a lot better
(I helped save b3ta! Milkman Dan, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:51, archived)
# So the only Competition is:
Who can get the Network Rail Execs on their side with Bungs, Free Meals and an 'Aspirational' reduced running cost/perfect safety record (that they can then renegotiate)
(I helped save b3ta! Spenface ALWAYS hangs in the Buffalo Stance, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:44, archived)
# nah
but that way would be a LOT easier
(I helped save b3ta! swaza I'm bad, I'm bad. You know it. I'm bad., Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:49, archived)
# [Pedant]
Network Rail doesn't choose, Department for Transport Rail do. Used to be done by the Strategic Rail Authority before John Prescott decided he wanted his own trainset (back when he actually did something beside eat pies).

Network Rail "manage" the infrastructure.
[/pedant]
(Gyrate AHHHHHH! Saviour of the Universe!, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:49, archived)
# that's who I meant sorry
:¬)
(I helped save b3ta! swaza I'm bad, I'm bad. You know it. I'm bad., Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:53, archived)
#
petitions.pm.gov.uk/limitprofit/
(I helped save b3ta! FreudianSlap, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:50, archived)
# Good.
Except for the grammar. See me after class.


My train was cancelled this morning and the replacement bus (to take me about three miles to the next station) was a mere 50 minutes late with room for nine people aboard. Hooray for One railway!
(I helped save b3ta! wheelybird mreee!, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:32, archived)
# hooray
more of this kind of thing!
(I helped save b3ta! brianftang www.brianftang.co.uk, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:34, archived)
# classic
well done that man
(I helped save b3ta! bilbobarneybobs I'll be 14 in b3ta years soon., Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:34, archived)
# Hoots!
I like driving to work.
(I helped save b3ta! The Duke of Prunes, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:35, archived)
# me too
(I helped save b3ta! swaza I'm bad, I'm bad. You know it. I'm bad., Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:36, archived)
# I've only ever been on Central Trains
(I helped save b3ta! davew27 hevosen kuva!, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:36, archived)
# Ouch...
bad luck!
(Fantastic Mr Porter is bored, and wishes it was, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 19:10, archived)
# Grand
I have to use them on friday so I shall print this in preparation
(I helped save b3ta! Wasp Box like a nervous random stranger at a glory hole, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:36, archived)
# ace
though most of the trips I've taken withnVirgin XC, I've booked well in advance and got a super-cheap club class ticket- well worth it when travelling from Cornwall to Scotland. Endless at-seat tea!
(Al__S is constantly suprised, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:39, archived)
# to be fair
cross country are a lot better than west coast
(I helped save b3ta! Milkman Dan, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:41, archived)
# What's so wrong
with being surly, ugly, abusive, smelly, scruffy, lecherous, bald and incomprehensible?

You've just gone and insulted 80% of the contributors on this board
.
(I helped save b3ta! Sea Tramp the thinking woman's 8 Ace, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:42, archived)
# And that's just the girl ones.




(I helped save b3ta! wheelybird mreee!, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:44, archived)
# this
will go viral/be in nuts or zoo....
woo (for the pick, not some twunt stealing it and claiming credit obviously)
(prostheses, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 13:04, archived)
# Glad to see...
...Im not the only pissed off at Nuts/Zoo for grabbing free editorial and not giving b3tans credit where it is due. I would love to urinate in their editors eye sockets.
(DJRikki, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 13:12, archived)
# ^this^
quick, stick a tag on it or something
(niceandwarmandhot vive la résistance, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 13:16, archived)
# you could
but they'll only remove any tags and claim it as their own work
(captain baldy, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 17:00, archived)
# yeah
I'd be kinda chuffed if someone did decide my work was worth stealing. I'd still want to get a credit though.
(I helped save b3ta! Milkman Dan, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 19:37, archived)
# it's funny because it's true.
wait, that not not funny. *angers at Virgin Trains for all the crap journeys forced to take on their services*
(niceandwarmandhot vive la résistance, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 13:09, archived)
# Hey
They're better than central trains
(captainwow No, not that one!, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 13:31, archived)
# ^^^^
This, from a regular traveller on both
(I helped save b3ta! divy, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 17:16, archived)
# Very true
At least you can rely on Virgin being late.
Central sometimes run a train on time, just to make you miss it when you expect it to be late.
(Bogbean, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 22:56, archived)
# I know how you feel
I knocked up an alternative poster for Scotrail as it was at the time. At that time the problem was overcrowding. Now it's still pretty crowded and they don't announce delays or problems unless you're at a major station. I have since learned telepathy.
(I helped save b3ta! DaveBr tes noisivelet ruoy tsujda ton od, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 13:34, archived)
# also
avoid arriver trains wales. whose call centre is in fucking India, which sucks ass as you i have no idea how to spell most the welsh places im visitng.the fucking indigitry
(I helped save b3ta! Captain Pilchard The king of B-movies!, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 13:58, archived)
# .
Arriva trains wales .... shudder

Travelling Cardiff to York on Virgin Trains, I was 26 hours late arriving once. I drive everywhere now.
(welsh dave, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 15:09, archived)
#
Add address of customer service and print them out and leave them on trains!

(Matthew-field.co.uk, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 14:49, archived)
# This with nuts on ^^^^
(I helped save b3ta! Bohica Anne Frank's Bukkaki Tentacle Storm, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 16:02, archived)
# As above
A mate of mine has already done so.. :)
(Code of Post lives at the moment in time that is..., Wed 29 Nov 2006, 17:13, archived)
# fantastic idea!
with my blessing
(I helped save b3ta! Milkman Dan, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 19:33, archived)
# Hooray!
I am getting Virgin Trains come early December so I will be sure to leave this behind.
(basstard, Wed 29 Nov 2006, 18:53, archived)
# Reminds me of a quote from 'I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue'...
To be done in Humph's dry tones:

"And we've had a listener response to our survey, from a Mrs. Trellis of North Wales. We asked you to 'Please rate your Mornington Crescent experience'. Mrs. Trellis has ticked the box marked 'Poor'. As well as the boxes marked 'Very poor', 'Exceedingly poor', 'Really quite amazingly poor', 'Words begin to fail me as to to quite how poor', and 'Buttock clenchingly piss-poor'

"Mrs. Trellis has in fact filled out the wrong card. But if there's anyone in the audience from Virgin Trains who can tell us where to forward it to...


Made I chuckle.
(I helped save b3ta! moogthedog, Thu 30 Nov 2006, 0:10, archived)