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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2010 15:55:56 GMT
Looking at the TfL website at approximately 9am this morning, I find the following situation:
Just to complicate things, the interactive map next to the updates was only showing the Metropolitan line as being disrupted, and being suspended thorughout due to the aforementioned problems.
1) In relation to the TfL website, was it the map or the text that was correct?
2) Why do they not have spare signal operators for this eventuality? I am guessing there is probably a reason, but what is it?
3) In relation to the issues "in the Aldgate area", why were only the Metropolitan and District lines affected, and not, according to the website all four?
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Chris M
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Post by Chris M on May 10, 2010 16:46:31 GMT
Re point 3, if the issues are between Aldgate and Tower Hill, then it's not impossible that the H&C will only be affected by knock-on delays, which may not have happened at that point. I can't explain why it didn't affect the Circle Line though.
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metman
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Post by metman on May 10, 2010 17:03:16 GMT
It didn't last long, they must have been updating it. When I saw it, everything was screwed!
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Post by rayb on May 10, 2010 20:21:43 GMT
FWIW at some point this morning/lunchtime the BBC were reporting that the Aldgate area problems were because of a tresspasser on the tracks.
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Post by citysig on May 10, 2010 22:35:15 GMT
First off, signalling problems in the Aldgate area around 0620. A couple of hours later, a tresspasser in the Aldgate area.
This was then followed by the member of staff being taken ill.
SeanB, they do have spare staff for such an eventuality, but not necessarily stationed at each and every station / cabin. The urgency in which the person concerned had to be rushed to hospital meant there was little option but to suspend the service for a time until someone could be ferried to the cabin. To the person's credit, despite being advised to the contrary, they worked to move potentially stalled trains whilst awaiting their ambulance. I am sure I can pass on your best wishes to the person concerned for both their speedy recovery and for their efforts prior to leaving - being as it seems you were merely stuck in front of a computer and not stuck on a train at the time.
Now. Back to the display. Normally it is standard practice to take each line in turn and display the "current" largest problem.
In the case you quote, the suspension of the H&C between Edgware Road and Hammersmith was the largest problem on the H&C at that time.
The displacement of stock which was diverted around the Circle meant that that line then went to a very regular/good service.
Other displaced stock was sent back along the H&C, also providing a "good service" for the H&C east of Edgware Road at least.
Just to contradict slightly what I said, the Met was shown as having 2 biggest problems. Late running due to the earlier signalling (and tresspass) problems was compounded by a failed train.
The District is self-explanatory.
Our Network Operations Centre (NOC) will normally select the most accurate / most relevant / easy to understand reasons for delays. Reasons are normally kept as brief as possible, mainly so that a "passer-by" looking at an information board won't have to wait too long to see which part of the line is affected (as the information scrolls across).
As for the map. Software glitch. You caught the site during mid-update. Who knows. I'm sure your button presses and clicks are not 100% all of the time. Some slack during particularly trying mornings such as this one would be nice.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2010 23:18:13 GMT
Do they really have spare staff anymore ? Really?
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DWS
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Post by DWS on May 11, 2010 6:31:44 GMT
Do they really have spare staff anymore ? Really? Yes  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2010 12:24:59 GMT
Do they really have spare staff anymore ? Really? Yes I'd love to find one then. That'd be a Kodak moment for sure!  |
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Post by citysig on May 11, 2010 20:09:35 GMT
Yes I'd love to find one then. That'd be a Kodak moment for sure! There are spare signallers, and there are also a handful of "emergency cover" staff who have kept their licences up for just such an eventuality as this (and not to strike break which is the common misconception - I am one such person, and if my union is out then so am I, but that's for another discussion.) Trouble is, many of those staff are based where their "day jobs" exist. I would also like to know how you prepare for such an eventuality. Have hoards of spare staff sat around doing nothing at all locations? And where does it end? Signal Cabins? Control Rooms? Train Cabs? It's all very well people jumping up and down and using hindsight, but situations such as this thankfully come along very infrequently, and when they do, sometimes we just have to deal with what we have at the time. |
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