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The gravy train
http://x404.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=1026		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  MrStevenRogers [ Thu Jun 04, 2009 2:01 am ]
Post subject:  The gravy train
Quote:
Network Rail bosses to get over £1m in bonuses despite blunders

Network Rail’s directors are due to share more than £1 million in bonuses despite causing misery for millions of passengers by mishandling the upgrade of Britain's busiest line.

The rail regulator gave warning yesterday that the company would face a heavy fine unless it delivered an acceptable recovery plan for the West Coast Main Line by the end of this week.

Network Rail's mismanagement of the £9 billion upgrade of the line has resulted in three out of five trains running late on some days and has left Virgin Trains, the main user of the route, with by far the industry's worst punctuality figures.

However, Network Rail's bonus committee appears to have decided to ignore the mounting evidence of poor performance and has agreed to pay substantial sums to the six executive directors.


and they have a new definition for the word 'late' …
Quote:
The rail industry defines a long distance train as being on time if it arrives no more than ten minutes late. A local service is on time if no more than five minutes late.


amazing truly amazing …
link
Author:  AlunD [ Thu Jun 04, 2009 6:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The gravy train
This sort of thing is really bad for my blood pressure !
Author:  james016 [ Thu Jun 04, 2009 8:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The gravy train
So rather than improve the service, they redefine what late means. :evil:
Author:  DaftFunk [ Thu Jun 04, 2009 9:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The gravy train
MrStevenRogers wrote:
and they have a new definition for the word 'late' …
Quote:
The rail industry defines a long distance train as being on time if it arrives no more than ten minutes late. A local service is on time if no more than five minutes late.


amazing truly amazing …
link


Not sure the Japanese would agree with that definition. Japan’s Shinkansen Bullet Train is on average 6 seconds late!!!!!
Author:  forquare1 [ Thu Jun 04, 2009 9:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The gravy train
Rather than redefining 'late', they should shuffle the timetables so everything fits. I couldn't care less if my train is ten minutes late, what I do care about is missing the next train and having to wait two bloody hours for the next one!

The trains are good, but they are far from great, bonuses aren't deserved, in fact shootings are in order after some of the recent cock-ups they've been involved in.
Author:  DoubleTouch [ Thu Jun 04, 2009 2:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The gravy train
Quote:
I couldn't care less if my train is ten minutes late


While I appreciate that in many contexts the arrival of a train 10 minutes late isn't such a big deal, it is definitely a massive problem for me consistently, week in week out and I am sure that it is for thousands of individuals. On weekdays I run my day like clockwork, after all, as I want to reach my workplace on time and therefore do my job properly and not get fired (something that now in the recession is more important than ever), it is imperative that I get the correct train to get me in on time. Now, if I turn up for my train on time and it is ten minutes late, that means that – funnily enough – I arrive at work late. Now, as the most junior journalist in my office, I am the first person in line to be let go / fired if things start going pear shaped. So arriving late CONSISTENTLY one or two days every week – due to a train service that is broken to the extreme – is not exactly something that one wants to make a habit out of, because contrary to this:

Quote:
The trains are good, but they are far from great


The trains are in fact ******** awful. They are run down, filthy, broken, noisy, expensive, cramped tin cans in which humans are transported with – on average – less room than animals in transit to their destinations consistently late. In addition, no I cannot get an earlier train and regardless, I shouldn't have to.

I do care that my train is ten minutes late and everyone in this country should. The problem is the business suits at the top, the ones who never catch a train in their lives apart from the odd First Class jolly to St Andrews, don't. By reclassifying the definition of late, they maintain their corporate profits and bonuses, and keep commuters' faces down in the dirt, and worst of all, modify subversively peoples perceptions of what constitutes late and a good service.

Quote:
Japan’s Shinkansen Bullet Train is on average 6 seconds late!!!!!


THAT is a good service.
Author:  Linux_User [ Thu Jun 04, 2009 4:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The gravy train
I thought that was always the definition of late? It certainly has been for as long as I've used trains regularly (a few years). It's amazing to think though that in Britain a train is only late if it's a massive ten minutes late and in Japan a train is late if it's more than one or two minutes late - and yet we STILL score worse! 90% of trains "on time" is rubbish.
Author:  AlunD [ Thu Jun 04, 2009 5:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The gravy train
All I can say is I've commuted by trains for most of the last 12 years and it is currently more reliable both in terms of time keeping and cancellations than ever before.

Thats not to say its good but it is better.

The cost is totally and utterly bonkers though.
Author:  DaftFunk [ Thu Jun 04, 2009 6:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The gravy train
I would love to train long journeys but when it costs more than the petrol, I would rather take the convenience of driving.
Author:  veato [ Thu Jun 04, 2009 6:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The gravy train
I can handle a bit of lateness (I dont use trains for work so that bit isnt an issue at least) but the cost frankly stupid. I went to Brussels some time back on Eurostar and it was cheaper to drive all the way to Ashford in Kent and park for three days than get a return from Nottingham to London. And I mean cheaper by a loooooooong way.
Author:  paulzolo [ Thu Jun 04, 2009 7:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The gravy train
There’s a train? And there’s gravy? Sign me up!

Seriously, given the problems I have getting into London the last couple of years, I am appalled, yet not surprised. A private company’s job is to make money for the share holders, and top management are given bonuses as incentive to make share holders rich. The fact that a railway service has to be run is an unfortunate occupational hazard.

My controversial idea of re-nationalising the railways may not go down too well, but if they can be run as non-profit as a service to the people who use them, then maybe things will improve.
Author:  AlunD [ Fri Jun 05, 2009 6:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The gravy train
paulzolo wrote:
My controversial idea of re-nationalising the railways may not go down too well, but if they can be run as non-profit as a service to the people who use them, then maybe things will improve.
Just make sure you no only renationalise network rail ( the infrastructure ) but also the TOC's ( Train Operating Companies ) & FOC's ( Freight operating Companies ) until they are all under one umbrella it will never work properly IMHO.
Author:  paulzolo [ Fri Jun 05, 2009 8:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The gravy train
Any one see the Reggie Perrin series with Martin Clunes? Compare his rail journey with the original series, when Reggie is sitting in a British Rail compartment coach. Rossiter’s Perrin had to cope with crosswords and other people in suits. Clunes’ Perrin had to deal with the privately operated flesh wagons that call themselves trains.

Both were always 27 minutes late. At least Rossiter’s Perrin got to travel with some kind of dignity.
Author:  eddie543 [ Fri Jun 05, 2009 9:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The gravy train
DoubleTouch wrote:
Quote:
I couldn't care less if my train is ten minutes late


While I appreciate that in many contexts the arrival of a train 10 minutes late isn't such a big deal, it is definitely a massive problem for me consistently, week in week out and I am sure that it is for thousands of individuals. On weekdays I run my day like clockwork, after all, as I want to reach my workplace on time and therefore do my job properly and not get fired (something that now in the recession is more important than ever), it is imperative that I get the correct train to get me in on time.


Get the train before that one to be sure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JS9OU1uVSBM




Here we go again, its monday at last,
Hes heading for the waterloo line,
To catch the 8 a.m. fast, its usually dead on time,
Hope it isnt late, got to be there by nine.
Pin stripe suit, clean shirt and tie,
Stops off at the corner shop, to buy the times
good morning smithers-jones
hows the wife and home?
did you get the car youve been looking for?

Let me get inside you, let me take control of you,
We could have some good times,
All this worry will get you down,
Ill give you a new meaning to life - I dont think so.

Sitting on the train, youre nearly there
Youre part of the production line,
Youre the same as him, youre like tin-sardines,
Get out of the pack, before they peel you back.

Arrive at the office, spot on time,
The clock on the wall hasnt yet struck nine,
good morning smithers jones
the boss wants to see you alone
i hope its the promotion youve been looking for

Let me get inside you, let me take control of you,
We could have some good times,
All this worry will get you down,
Ill give you a new meaning to life - I dont think so.

come in smithers old boy
take a seat, take the weight off your feet
Ive some news to tell you
theres no longer a position for you -
sorry smithers jones.

Put on the kettle and make some tea
Its all a part of feeling groovie
Put on your slippers turn on the tv
Its all a part of feeling groovie
Its time to relax, now youve worked your arse off
But the only one smilin is the sun tanned boss
Work and work and work and work till you die
Theres plenty more fish in the sea to fry
Author:  MrStevenRogers [ Sat Jun 27, 2009 8:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The gravy train
Quote:
NETWORK RAIL BONUSES
Iain Coucher Chief Executive - Annual incentive: nil. Three year incentive plan: £150,255
Robin Gisby Operations Director - Annual: £81,345. Three year: £57,887
Peter Henderson Infrastructure Director - Annual: £216,920. Three year: £112,107
Ron Henderson now retired - Annual: £206,567. Three year: £112,107
Simon Kirkby Director of Infrastructure Investment -Annual: £61,345. Three year: £55,752
Paul Plummer Director of Planning and Regulation - Annual: £76,415. Three year: £65,151


Quote:
There were also accusations - strongly denied by Network Rail - that the company had attempted to "bury bad news" on the day Michael Jackson's death dominated news coverage.

The bonuses were defended by the firm in its annual report, which said Network Rail's successes "should not be overshadowed" by its failings.


it gladdens my heart to see the railway gravy train is still going full steam ahead
let the train take the strain while you have the pain …

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8120864.stm
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