Northern Rail

[St Helens Rider]

RE: Northern Rail

(29/10/2014 21:21)St Helens Rider Wrote:  Northern were having some reliability problems this evening at Wigan North Western, the 1650 (1603 Blackpool North - Liverpool) was showing as delayed and the 1703 Wigan - Liverpool cancelled. Apparently the reason the 1650 was delayed was having to wait for crew at Preston. Interestingly the unit which should have formed the 1703 to Liverpool tagged on to the 1703 to Blackpool North (service from Liverpool). Probably the worst evening so far I've had since my work moved to Wigan four weeks ago, so I suppose the first major disruption in four weeks possibly isn't too bad.

Exactly the same thing happened tonight. Coming back on the delayed 1650 (running around 28 minutes late) the Guard announced that the delay was due to driver shortages at various depots. Are Northern having some staffing problems? Delays/cancellations like this reduces people's trust in the railway and it's no wonder people are unhappy when the annual fare rises are announced.