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Northrail brings you news and your views on issues affecting rail jobs and services in the North of England.
If you would like to receive an email when new stories appear click here.
Each news item has a link at the bottom taking you to that item's discussion forum topic.
Say No To Tyne & Wear Privatisation
Photo by: FreeFoto.comAugust 5,
2008:
A PETITION has been launched to try and save the Tyne & Wear Metro system from privatisation.
You can add your name to the on-line petition by clicking this link: Tyne & Wear Metro petition.
Petition creator Pete Woods says: "Tyne & Wear Metro is a public-sector success story, achieving record levels of punctuality & ridership and should be kept that way, funding for an upgrade of the network is conditional on fragmenting & privatising Metro's operations & infrastructure.
Nexus (Tyne & Wears Passenger Transport Executive)indicate that the government has insisted on the break-up, overruling the PTE's preferred option of maintaining Metro as a 'vertically integrated' railway. The model now proposed for Metro is in danger of repeating the mistakes of rail privatisation. Safety will be threatened as Metro will be fragmented into different sectors similar to the failed London Underground PPP, inevitably leading to a less efficient, more expensive railway which is why Nexus were originally opposed to the break up of Metro.
Large amounts of fare revenue & public subsidy will be used to pay dividends to shareholders instead of being used to improve Metro for the benefit of passengers & of course Metro workers' pensions, jobs & conditions will be under threat as the private sector tries to maximise profits.
Post your comments on Say No To Tyne & Wear Privatisation.
Grand Central Fight Back
Photo by: FreeFoto.comJuly 23,
2008:
IT WAS ANNOUNCED today that open-access operator Grand Central had abandoned its contingency timetable and started running a full Sunderland-King's Cross service last Friday.
A spokesman said that two trains were in service, with power cars at each end. This meant that one was available to "deputise" when any of the four needed to undergo maintenance work and was also available should any more problems develop.
He said repairs to the sixth power car should be completed by the end of August, reinstating its full fleet.
Post your comments on Grand Central Fight Back.
Northrail: An Important Reminder
July 9,
2008:
FOLLOWING some recent confusion, Northrail would like to remind all users (and in particular casual browsers) of this site's message board of the following (legally binding) parts of the registration agreement:
Please remember that we do not actively monitor the posted messages, and as such, are not responsible for the content contained within. We do not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information presented. The posted messages express the views of the author, and not necessarily the views of this forum, its staff, its subsidiaries, or this forum's owner. You remain solely responsible for the content of your posted messages. Furthermore, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless the owners of this forum, any related websites to this forum, its staff, and its subsidiaries.
Casual browsers should particularly take note of this section:
Anyone who feels that a posted message is objectionable is encouraged to notify an administrator or moderator of this forum immediately.
Anyone planning on making malicious posts is also reminded that IP addresses are routinely recorded by the forum's software.
On a lighter note, Northrail is pleased to introduce the latest member of the board's staff, TheNewGuard, who has recently been appointed as a Moderator.
As always, you can have your say on this matter here: Membership Agreement Reminder.
Grand Central Rolling Stock Woe
April 22,
2008:
OPEN ACCESS rail operator Grand Central have been having a hard time recently, after two of their three (Northern Rail maintained) HST sets were put out of action.
On Sunday April 20, this strange combination was seen passing through York station with a Kings Cross-Sunderland service, running over an hour late.
The ex-Virgin coaches looked extremely tatty, and it looked like the First Class section was provided by some kind of "heritage" rolling stock.
Are things going down the pan for Grand Central?
Post your comments on Grand Central Rolling Stock Woe
National Express Greed (Pt. 1)
April 19,
2008:
TAXI DRIVERS who pick up from the rank at York Station are considering a revolt after National Express raised the price of an annual permit from £527 to £1,250.
Ken Usher, who has been an independent taxi driver for 35 years, described the permit increase as "obscene".
He said: "Last year taxi drivers were paying £527 to be able to pick passengers up from the station which is bad enough but to pay an annual fee of £1250 is obscene.
"We as a group have unanimously decided that we are absolutely not going to pay. We pick railway passengers up from the station and allow them to get home, surely this is helping the station and providing a public service – yet this is the thanks we get. No one can afford a yearly rate of £1,250."
Northrail says: "Surely it's about time the running of major stations was handed over to Network Rail. Why should the greed of one Train Operating Company inconvenience the passengers of other companies."
Post your comments on National Express Greed (Pt. 1)
Ticketgal Adds Some Excitement!
April 16,
2008:
SPOTTED this brilliant video on Youtube by Ticketgal (I think I know who you are!), I was a little sceptical at first – but I enjoyed it!
It's refreshing to see someone that is obviously enthusiastic about her job – a real credit to the hard-working staff at Northern Rail.
She's got loads more on Youtube – just search for Ticketgal.
Post your comments on Ticketgal Adds Some Excitement!
