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Post by transportem on Jan 12, 2009 13:16:36 GMT 1
I used this service for the first time yesterday, catching the 18:14 service from Nottingham, arriving in Leeds at approx 20:16. As expected, the service was worked by a class 158 unit, with the same conductor throughout. The unit was clean too - which is fairly unusual at the end of the day.
I was quite impressed with the service, as it makes my life easier not having to change trains at Sheffield or Chesterfield (as I had terrible luck with my connecting trains being delayed, cancelled or packed to standing room only). I'm also pleased it removes the need to travel Arriva CrossCountry with their ridiculous ticket restrictions and cramped, overcrowded Voyagers (or wose, the HSTs they've tried to refurbish to look like Voyagers inside - the seats are so hard!).
The only comment I could really make that was negative was the incredibly long dwell time at Wakefield Kirkgate (a lovely place to hang around at night), the train must've been stood there five minutes. I'm not sure whether this was due to the train having a clear run through from Sheffield as it was off-peak? Can anyone clarify whether the other LDS-SHF fast trains wait time at Kirkgate?
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mjn
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Post by mjn on Jan 12, 2009 13:41:31 GMT 1
Strangely enough, it's quicker to use the new service between Nottingham-Chesterfield then change there to CrossCountry and vice versa than to use the new service the whole way-very much so heading north. There's also a chance of getting advance fares doing it this way (and indeed via EMT to Grantham then NXEC to Leeds).
Also, you can almost always get £5 singles on the web for National Express, most journey times being similar to and some even slightly less than the Northern service.
Just a hint for you, I always use National Express for these reasons. The real positive impact of the new Northern service in my view is the doubling of Nottingham-Sheffield services-two per hour instead of one. It also means there's 5 per hour instead of 4 Leeds-Sheffield, which should perhaps come in handy given the aforementioned CrossCountry ticket restrictions.
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Post by transportem on Jan 12, 2009 13:55:21 GMT 1
I've recently booked some return tickets between Leeds and Nottingham via Grantham, and as they've been booked over a month in advance, I've managed to afford First Advance tickets for the NXEC section both ways. I know it's only a short journey, but for £10.55 I couldn't say no  BTW, I was aware that it's quicker to change onto CrossCountry, but I just wanted to try out the new service. The 158 actually offers a more comfortable journey than a Voyager anyway - much more padding in the seats! |
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Post by guyarab on Jan 12, 2009 13:56:35 GMT 1
Can you explain these restrictions on Arriva Cross-country as I may have to travel to Derby shortly?
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Post by transportem on Jan 14, 2009 1:12:30 GMT 1
The restrictions CrossCountry apply over routes where they set the fare state that off-peak returns cannot be used before 0930 and between 1530 and 1800. Having checked the National Express East Coast website, it appears that XC do set the fare between Leeds and Derby, as - where journies are completed entriely onboard an XC train - the off-peak tickets are listed as unavaliable at the above times. Thus a more expensive 'Anytime' ticket is the only option, unless you have time to purchase your ticket in advance.
CrossCountry have recieved a fair amount of critisism for this policy, noteably from fares expert and railway journalist Barry Doe - who reffered to them as a 'wholly negative operator'. There has also been controversy over CrossCountry demanding to be permitted to set the fare over part of Chiltern Railways route through Kings Sutton, Banbury, Leamington Spa and Birmingham. As of the 05/01/09, the SRA granted XCs request, and now Chiltern are forced to accept their restrictions too (and they told customers upset about this to write to XC to complain, and provided the contact details for XCs complaints department on their website).
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Post by jackh on Jan 14, 2009 11:36:22 GMT 1
The restrictions CrossCountry apply over routes where they set the fare state that off-peak returns cannot be used before 0930 and between 1530 and 1800. Having checked the National Express East Coast website, it appears that XC do set the fare between Leeds and Derby, as - where journies are completed entriely onboard an XC train - the off-peak tickets are listed as unavaliable at the above times. Thus a more expensive 'Anytime' ticket is the only option, unless you have time to purchase your ticket in advance. Just checking Transpennine Express and NXEC sites on the check fares/buy ticket tools. Off-peak returns are available between 1530-1800 on Cross Country trains when checking between Leeds and Derby. Also to note, it appears you can buy off peak returns for journeys before 0930 when you reach the final destination after 0930. Well that's what has happened in the past when I have bought off peak tickets. |
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Post by transportem on Jan 14, 2009 12:10:18 GMT 1
Preusmably it isn't CrossCountry who set the fare then? I'm not an expert on these things.
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mjn
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Posts: 109
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Post by mjn on Jan 14, 2009 16:10:56 GMT 1
As of the 05/01/09, the SRA granted XCs request, and now Chiltern are forced to accept their restrictions too (and they told customers upset about this to write to XC to complain, and provided the contact details for XCs complaints department on their website). The SRA doesn't exist anymore (apart from the Solicitor's Regulation Authority etc), who does these things now? Is it the DfT itself? |
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Post by Craig on Jan 14, 2009 20:29:47 GMT 1
As I understood it, operators can only set fares and restrictions on certain routes which only they operate. Those sold as "any permitted route" must be accepted by all operators for travel on a valid route and within the usual guidelines i.e. off peak tickets after 0930 etc. I don't know about travelling to Derby, but for example Leeds to Sheffield is a standard ticket and so XC whether they like it or not have to accept the "any permitted route" ticket. However if you buy a XC advance ticket from Leeds to Sheffield, you travel on their terms.
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Post by Bradford Traveller on Jan 14, 2009 20:33:08 GMT 1
THE OLD FARE BOOKS used to say who set the fare.
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Post by jackh on Jan 14, 2009 20:41:52 GMT 1
The SRA doesn't exist anymore (apart from the Solicitor's Regulation Authority etc), who does these things now? Is it the DfT itself? It appears to be now called Office of Rail Regulation. www.rail-reg.gov.uk/ |
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Post by westyorkshirebus on Jan 14, 2009 21:41:43 GMT 1
The Leeds to Derby fare is set by East Midlands Trains
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mjn
Forum Member
Posts: 109
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Post by mjn on Jan 15, 2009 13:47:03 GMT 1
The ORR was always a different thing, the SRA seemed to be solely concerned with the franchising process which is why I think the DfT took its functions over.
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Post by Burnside on Jan 19, 2009 13:20:21 GMT 1
When Crosscountry brought in the restriction it was only for CHEAP DAY RETURNS that they priced.
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Post by Bradford Traveller on Feb 5, 2009 16:52:47 GMT 1
THERE WAS a regular Leeds-Nottingham [viaToton\Beeston] service in ? late 80s, [may have been every 2 hours] and offered day return fares.
The service ceased upon commencement of the regular Liverpool-East Anglia services.
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