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"Public gets say on slashing Glasgow rail journey times"

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  1. chdot
    Admin

    http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topstories/Public-gets-say-on-slashing.6785314.jp

    Spending on Public Transport is 'obviously' a good thing - especially if it encourages more people to use cars less often.

    But it's easy to come to the conclusion that it's about big projects, more, faster travel while the 'basics' safe, pleasants streets where most people walk (and some cycle) most days, don't matter.

    When was the last ribbon cutting for a new pedestrian crossing or a fixed section of pothole craters?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  2. wingpig
    Member

    "When was the last ribbon cutting for a new pedestrian crossing..?"

    Fountainbridge, March, though (even though light-controlled crossing were installed) that's not just for pedestrians and cyclists.

    Most pothole-fixing isn't anything to shout about. Even the pope-anticipating completely-smoothly-resurfaced Church Hill wasn't trumpeted.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  3. chdot
    Admin

    "Fountainbridge"

    It's true - I was even invited!

    Perhaps I should rephrase that post.

    My point remains - big/expensive/new things attract money/politicians more than the basics - which are often more about basic maintenance and incremental improvements.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  4. kaputnik
    Moderator

    On reading the article, it doesn't read like a consultation exercise about "having your say" it reads like its a consultation exercise about "this is what we are doing".

    Let us not forget that last week a Councilor turned up for a photo session and to cut the tape on a few hundred metres of cycle path that had been open for months.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  5. chdot
    Admin

    "it reads like its a consultation exercise about "this is what we are doing"

    And it's been planned for a while.

    I think the word is "spin". I assume they are confident that most people won't go "nah, don't bother"...

    Posted 12 years ago #

  6. chdot
    Admin

    "Even the pope-anticipating completely-smoothly-resurfaced Church Hill wasn't trumpeted"

    At least 'we' noticed -

    http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1369#post-12956

    Posted 12 years ago #

  7. wingpig
    Member

    <=13 services per hour? They'll need to rip out improve the ticket-barriers at both ends, otherwise there'll be no point saving a couple of minutes on the journey time just to have the saving eaten up by shuffling and queueing (and attempting to convey to people through the medium of glaring that it's nearly impossible to debark a train when the platform immediately adjacent to the doors is blocked) through the pinch-points in the station.

    Postering stations along the route is one thing but I wonder how many people will feel too apathetic on the way to and from work to get round to investigating further and contributing?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  8. chdot
    Admin

    "13 services per hour?"

    I think that includes the Bathgate line (but probably not Shotts).

    But yes journey time isn't just about the time on the train. At least with a 15 min service you don't 'lose' 30 minutes if you just miss a train.

    ScotRail would hardly be happy if 'everyone' timed themselves to arrive one minute before the doors shut.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  9. chdot
    Admin

    The ENews commenters aren't entirely supportive!!

    http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topstories/Public-gets-say-on-slashing.6785314.jp?CommentPage=1&CommentPageLength=1000#6237444

    Posted 12 years ago #

  10. alibali
    Member

    They'll need to rip out improve the ticket-barriers at both ends,

    Yup.

    The tickets themeselves are a problem too.
    Much of the crush at Haymarket in the AM is because season tickets seem to have to be presented to staff at the wheelchair/luggage/bike gate, which on the train from Glasgow seems to be just about everyone.

    In the face of that crush a (named for ironic effect) flexipass ticket has to be handed to an inspector so they can put it through the barrier to have it validated, while the wheelchair/luggage/bike blocks the gate.

    I conclude scotrail managers don't often use wheelchairs, bikes or even trains that often....

    Posted 12 years ago #

  11. cb
    Member

    A few more details on central Scotland railway improvements here:

    http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Airport39s-tramtrain-hub-will-go.6785793.jp

    "[...] some trains on the main Edinburgh-Glasgow line, which will be diverted via Gogar from their current route to the south of the airport.

    Network Rail said this re-routing, taking trains on a new loop via Dalmeny, near South Queensferry, would also be required whatever the fate of the tram scheme, to free up space on the existing line."

    And also...

    "Other routes to be speeded up thanks to electrification include lines between Edinburgh and Glasgow and Dunblane and Alloa. More frequent services will also operate on a secondary Edinburgh-Glasgow route via Carstairs."

    Good that the Dunblane line might be in the queue for improvements.

    Of course, the main thrust of The Scotsman article is:

    "A NEW tram-train interchange will be built to serve Edinburgh Airport as part of Scotland's biggest rail upgrade even if the tram scheme is shelved, The Scotsman has learned."

    Posted 12 years ago #

  12. Stepdoh
    Member

    Hopefully by the time they finish this line they'll have the RFID tixs up and running, which should speed things up considerably.

    Really wish we could have a stored value card a-la Oyster, Octopus, Snapper et al that just worked on everything. Surely it could be based on the same ITSO standard that all the concession cards are running on now, but with an enhancement to back office (which companies tend to do for a 'cut')

    Paid contactless at McDonalds the other day there, it really was quick, although sadly there was no waterslide or rollercoaster.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  13. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    Hang on, a representative of our meat industry went to McDonalds?!?!?!?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  14. Stepdoh
    Member

    Huge customer of forequarter meat from scottish farms. There's a cut for every market n' all that.

    A lot of the issue of the big M in certain markets is the supply chain that sits behind it. As far as the meat is concerned it's pretty kosher in the uk. (well, not actually kosher, but you get what I mean :) )

    ... and I was driving a van.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  15. cb
    Member

    They were handing out leaflets about this at the station on Friday.

    Here is the website:

    http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/11743.aspx

    Posted 12 years ago #

  16. kaputnik
    Moderator

    The "actual" EGIP proposal document (I've linked in another thread somewhere) was far more informative and educational than the "public friendly" website for the consultation. I suppose the public can't be trusted to read the documents and establish the facts for themselves. They might not come to the "correct" conclusions!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  17. chdot
    Admin

    "Delay fears for £1bn rail programme"

    http://www.heraldscotland.com/mobile/news/transport/delay-fears-for-1bn-rail-programme.17113659

    Posted 12 years ago #

  18. crowriver
    Member

    Network Rail sought approval to begin the process of awarding a contract for the main £350m electrification in August, The Herald understands.

    Project officials have since been growing increasingly anxious that key milestones would be missed unless authorisation was given by Transport Scotland to go ahead.

    Hmm. No delays in awarding contracts for the new Forth road bridge, however. Indeed an almost unseemly haste leading to Scottish companies losing out.

    Politics is all about priorities, eh?

    Posted 12 years ago #

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