Rail & Sail

[Thomas Ralph]

Originally Posted by plant43

And if you have a UK billing address for your credit card.

That can be worked around. The originating in the UK can't.

[Eddie]

Can someone offer an explanation as to why Stena either cannot retimetable its Lynx so that it can do 2 return trips a day or bring back its HSS for the duration of the current disruption?

It seems to be continually cancelling its second return trip "due to technical difficulties", but if it can run one, then I don't see why it can't run 2, albeit starting earlier or finishing later, if it's slower.

Impacting 1000 passengers per return trip and inconveniencing them will stay in the memory long after the current disruption is over.

[Mark Gleeson]

19:25 DL - Holyhead is cancelled again today

[ThomasJ]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

19:25 DL - Holyhead is cancelled again today

i really think preassure needs to be put on stenaline to reintroduce the HSS now

[Colm Moore]

Originally Posted by Eddie

It seems to be continually cancelling its second return trip "due to technical difficulties", but if it can run one, then I don't see why it can't run 2, albeit starting earlier or finishing later, if it's slower.

Is this down to available crew?

[dowlingm]

Originally Posted by Eddie

Can someone offer an explanation as to why Stena either cannot retimetable its Lynx so that it can do 2 return trips a day or bring back its HSS for the duration of the current disruption?

Do we know what HSS is doing right now? In any case, "the current disruption" could last hours or weeks. That's a big gamble. I don't blame the ferry operators for maxing out their current equipment for now. What is important is for UK and Irish authorities to ensure the public is aware of alternative routings such as the Isle of Man, Larne etc. and to ensure all the public transport companies cooperate with the ferry companies to move people quickly and efficiently, even if it means issuing week-to-week licences to private operators like Aircoach.

[Mark Gleeson]

We are working up some information and links, very early draft http://www.railusers.ie/passenger_info/railandsail.php

There are ferries to Liverpool as well as Holyhead, a fact which has gone unnoticed.

[ThomasJ]

nicely done! Its needed !

[Mark Gleeson]

The so called extra Rosslare Dublin service came back empty, lights off and out of service. The deferred 17:40 didn't seem all that busy though there clearly where several ferry passengers on board

To add insult to injury the 17:40 was a 29k, the empty special an ICR

People need to know in advance, IE only went public after the ferries had set sail from Wales.

[ThomasJ]

i dont get it?!

The one time they decide to send out a train out to rosslare at a time that would provide passengers with a ferry connection and they decide to run it empty!

The mind truely boggles!

[dowlingm]

One way to prove it won't work - don't let anyone on!

[Colm Moore]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

We are working up some information and links, very early draft http://www.railusers.ie/passenger_info/railandsail.php

There are ferries to Liverpool as well as Holyhead, a fact which has gone unnoticed.

Can a link be put on the front page? Perhaps just below the menu bar.

[karlr42]

Originally Posted by dowlingm

One way to prove it won't work - don't let anyone on!

My reading of Mark's post was that there was no demand for the extra service(all intending passengers were accommodated on the timetabled service), hence why the extra ran OOS.

[robdrysdale]

Originally Posted by dowlingm

Do we know what HSS is doing right now? In any case, "the current disruption" could last hours or weeks. That's a big gamble. I don't blame the ferry operators for maxing out their current equipment for now. What is important is for UK and Irish authorities to ensure the public is aware of alternative routings such as the Isle of Man, Larne etc. and to ensure all the public transport companies cooperate with the ferry companies to move people quickly and efficiently, even if it means issuing week-to-week licences to private operators like Aircoach.

HSS parked up in Holyhead yesterday, when I was passing through there.

The 4ish Holyhead to Dublin Stena Lynx was cancelled due to technical difficulties. However, there was an announcement at around 4.30pm that it was back on amid many cheers. Seemed to run. I was on 5.15pm Swift.

Having just driven Dublin to Paris and back to pick up my stranded wife and co. I can tell you that the problems are far more compounded than just the Irish Sea crossings and Irish rail.

Form what I can see, the ferry companies seem used to traveling at half capacity these days so the various systems don't seem integrated. They've all effectively shut down online bookings for foot passengers and all specials (e.g. Sailrail) are canceled. That's British Channel and Irish Sea. You can still book cars, which is why I opted for that option.

If you arrive in Holyhead or Callais or Dover etc. you will likely get on a ferry. You will just have go on standby. First come first served basis. You might have to hang around for up to 5 or 6 hours.

The train from Holyhead to London now has to be booked in Holyhead. Big queues. You'll get on on eventually just probably not the one soon after you arrive.

Sure it's a big mess but the reality is that few people travel these routes any more. They fly or take Eurostar.

Even the Eurostar booking system appeared to not be working when I tried to book it.

Anyway, happy to report on a rail site, that I'd no problems with the ferries when traveling by CAR.

[comcor]

Does anyone know the practicalities of getting to Swansea Ferry Port from Swansea Train Station?

It looks about 2 km on Google Maps, which may be a bit far to walk with luggage.

But there is no indication of a bus (last time I made the rip in the early 90s, there was a shuttle bus that linked ferry arrivals to the train station).

Is a taxi the best option?

[Colm Moore]

Both of these have the exact same text, but no timetable.

http://www.travel-friend.co.uk/ferry...ts_swansea.htm

http://www.fastnetline.com/ferry_por...formation.html

Directions by Train

Swansea Railway Station is located approx. 1 mile from the Ferry Terminal in Swansea High Street. There is a regular bus service operating from the station to the ferry port. Taxis are available at most times on the station rank.

[Mark Gleeson]

http://www.fastnetline.com/ferry_por...formation.html

Bus available from the station

[comcor]

Thanks

[Colm Moore]

It seems to be an un-numbered service, but I've sent an e-mail to firstgroup.

[ThomasJ]

irish rail have now posted a news item highlighting the various uk and european rail options.