Forum Topic

Underground Night Service

Has anybody news on this. 7 out of 22 trains running. Sometimes and hours wait? Is this true?

Nicholas Beard ● 2917d4 Comments

Well, the flats are caused by sliding on wet leaves and is sometimes unavoidable even in expert hands, but 37 trains in a week?The source is from industry insiders but not the union perspective.  Their's is similar, but does take a different perspective in terms of the rights of members, conditions etc.I think this more or less strikes a balance between the two.I do wish TfL and other Transport bodies would take the trouble to be more specific in some of their apologies and explanations. I really believe the public are not so thick as to not understand some of the more technical reasons. Sometimes its far more helpful than the banal fob offs that often get put out.

Raymond Havelock ● 2917d

Thanks, really comprehensive. Did not know wheel flats were caused by driving technique.

Nicholas Beard ● 2917d

The article appears to be based on information from the RMT which normally is a source I would give little credence to but TfL's failure to respond suggests that what the union is saying is largely true.I don't use the night tube regularly enough to comment authoritatively but when I have used it there has been quite a wait (15 mins plus) and it has been standing room only. With a group of three or more - getting a cab starts to look like the best option again which is disappointing.

Paul Corcoran ● 2917d

Sort of.This is from an Underground website:"The big PR thing with the Mayor was a bit of a sham.Naturally it's going to be a success as London and it's suburbs are so overcrowded that it has to become a 24 hour city like Hong Kong.But it was what was not mentioned either by media or TfL that is also a problem.LU, forced by TfL, recruited and fast tracked, operators and staff on differing contracts.This went against the normal graduation by merit and ability process of becoming a driver.The price is high.The wheel flats on the Piccadilly of last autumn were in part, a consequence of deploying inexperienced drivers on early turn duties while the union issues for the night train were still being disputed.Unlike brand new trains, the Piccadilly trains are older technology, perfectly good and safe but need a good deal of skill to be driven and handled well.Inexperienced operators could not manage leaf slippage and how to apply cadence braking and how to minimise wheelslip. There are now too many operators with no affinity for electro-mechanical operation. Training was too theoretical and ensuring an understanding of signalling and operation but did not allow for operators developing a 'feel' for their designated units and the nuances of 73 Stock. This is something that was lacking and ended up costing millions in damage along with exposing a poor management of maintenance.The 72 and 73 stock are still  first rate units but in desperate need of heavy major overhauls and upgrade work. They have to be treated by operators with care.New trains are still all least one overhaul cycle away from reality maybe two.And now we have service provision issues.These staff, specifically hired for the night job, now want day jobs and don't want to do the job they were hired for. So they are going sick on masse and taking leave.It's also causing issues with cleaning and maintenance of both network and trains.  Staff are doing wonders but it is placing a lot of strain on what will always be a fundamentally aged infrastructure.All just to serve a political pledge without real pragmatic issues addressed. Rather like the previous Mayors actions on the Fire Service."So maybe this answers the questions about the service.?

Raymond Havelock ● 2917d