SVR General Discussion

A station not being busy when a train is about to leave? Does this matter?

 

I was thinking of the timings rather than the frequency of service

 

Or we all have to work emotionally grinding jobs that leave us little free time to do something new and interesting because rents have risen far outwith the rise in wages so we work more and end up more atomised and isolated from people.

 

Hopefully the SVR aren't one of those railways that invite their local MPs along to open stuff etc. Maybe they should be the face of the survival fund?

 

Effective publicity could be the key to the problem

 

'Some' railways did OK last year, but those that did had to fight hard for every penny. All of us have less disposable income, I know I am thinking very carefully about how and where I spend.
Railways need to work hard to offer extra value to their product and provide a quality experience for the money. Interestingly, on mainline trips for example the dining market has held up well. The FR / WHR never seem to have issues selling their obbo seats. There are some parts of the society that aren't affected by the cost of living crisis it would seem!

 

Saturday was very busy especially the 10.30 ex KR (I was travelling with my family and managed to bag a compartment for all of us, 7A + 4C). Friday was quite busy on the 10.30 but less so on the 11.15. Sunday was quieter on the 10.30 for sure.

 

Maybe not from Tory MPs though.

 

I'm clearly knackered from work because I thought the post was about volunteering not visiting as a customer. Woops.

 

Works both ways!

 

This is bang on.
I took a significant pay rise last year as a result of changing job, but my OH switched to part time because full-time childcare would cost more than she would earn working full time. So her income has dropped majorly, and coupled with the cost of living increases, we are barely seeing any difference in disposable income.
Even with the Moors’ new offer, I’d have to sell her an £80 day out to Whitby by train where we drove to Pickering then spent over an hour on the train - but if we don’t go via the NYMR we could drive there, eat out, spend some money and drive home for way less. I’d pay the £80 because of my love of railways; she would see it as the cost of our Weekly shop.

 

The appeal came out the same day as our fuel bill. Even with a government price cap (currently to end in June) and monthly subsidy (ended) it still ate through all the several hundred pounds of credit balance in three months - and we used heating very sparingly. Back in 2016 38% of people across all social classes would have to borrow money to pay an unexpected £500 bill with the Midlands being one of the worst affected areas. We're not badly off but I fear for those that don't have the resources to cope.

 

I’m a member and supporter of the railway and have watched the video and read the info but I’m still not clear how the figure of £1.5m has been arrived at? Is that a “finger in the air figure” rather like the WSR’s £1m or is it calculated?

If the latter, does it just cover the shortfall this year or does it cover the next 5 years? Does it cover the shortfall and leave a bit extra? Has the Bridgnorth shed track fund been redirected to this fund? Are we going to get asked for a similar amount next year?

Without knowing the answers to these questions (and more) I'm reluctant to put my hand in my pocket for another SVR appeal.

 

And thats why i don't buy the sob story of brexit, covid etc. No business will survive with a wage bill that is 50% of its turnover, thats just pure miss management, even with the job loses a wage bill of 40% of declining turnover isnt sustainable.

Covid was possibly good for the SVR, they were given every grant under the sun, staff on furlough without the costs of running trains.

The SVR would get a lot more credibility if they were a bit more honest!

 

Covid was definately not good for the SVR. The grants were good at the time but the world has changed completely since the epidemic.
Add on the Ukraine / Russia conflict and it's consequences and it's obvious why so many preserved railways and businesses are struggling.<BJ>

 

Quite possibly the biggest load of rubbish I've seen posted on here... How on Earth could could Covid have been good for the railway? If you honestly believe that then I'm afraid you have little understanding of business. Unless you were in the PPE business (or a Tory party donor), no business did well out of the pandemic.

Just because you are choosing not to believe the SVR's explanation, doesn't make them dishonest.

 

Full time employee numbers have brought down others before, Weardale an early casualty, the change from a volunteer line to a business with a wage bill has to be carefully managed.

 

Re COVID the railway did some excellent trips, the pre booked one we went on was packed, well organised and enjoyable. What seems to have gone a bit wrong is how they evolved post COVID, everyone knew it would be a challenge. Did they spend the COVID grants wisely to prepare as some seem to have done for example ? If you want to be an attraction I,m afraid you need tonorganise things people want and maybe as some are doing trying new things to tempt people.

 

My assumption from all the information on this appeal is that the money will be going to pay the bills. Which though not as exciting as an infrastructure project is no less important. I see why that would not fill people with confidence, though they have also said they are making changes to hopefully ensure they do not have a big hole again this time next year and are unable to pay their bills.
I also don't blame them for not going too public on internal matters and instead referring to external things we all know about. Probably not wise or constructive to be overly critical of previous management or individuals in the SVR's official statements, instead leave that up to us lot.