David Whitley

[David Whitley @DavidWhitley74]

@DriverSnowflake Well, ASDA and ASLEF start with the same two letters so I can understand it more - at a quick glance - than if you were in Sainsbury's, since part of the word is obscured

[David Whitley @DavidWhitley74]

Heartwarming work last night
@OxonFireRescue
saving stranded, frightened cat on Headington Hill. A road closure, 2 fire trucks & delivery back to owner's home. Tell me we're nation of animal lovers without telling me we're nation of animal lovers!
@OxfordMailLive @TheOxfordMail

[David Whitley @DavidWhitley74]

@creatingdesire S5po

[David Whitley @DavidWhitley74]

@gow_derek I guess it is possible that the perpetrator was trying to stop the bird from catching any more prey, maybe as a result of seeing it killing something else (maybe an animal they loved?) It's the only thing I can think of that 'explains' something so cruel.

[David Whitley @DavidWhitley74]

@holdmch @Captain_Deltic I'm not convinced Treasury would be able to make informed decision irrespective of it being the wrong place, as there are so many differences between TOCs that underpin the need for RDW. Simply looking at rosters and ignoring training backlogs, etc, paints a different picture!

[David Whitley @DavidWhitley74]

@IntermodalityUK @PaulCliftonBBC @stucalvert @networkrailwest Good coordination now, but shouldn't this have all been done in the last 12 months as the situation became progressively worse? The fact we have a key freight/passenger artery closed for 3 months or more doesn't feel like something worth celebrating.

[David Whitley @DavidWhitley74]

@cgledhill I believe it's actually to do with driving regulations as you're not allowed to use your phone while driving (toll booths are still classed as a live motorway). I think the regulations have now been amended, so M6toll are upgrading their equipment over the next couple of months.

[David Whitley @DavidWhitley74]

@Captain_Deltic I can't help but compare with 1989 when an evening derailment at Watford led to all WCML trains being diverted into Paddington or St Pancras from start of service the next morning. Today, no revenue risk seems to equal no interest - I hope I'll be proved wrong in the coming days!

[David Whitley @DavidWhitley74]

@trbell_ @NoelDolphin @paulrgentleman @MrTimDunn Is it not stations managed by GWR?

[David Whitley @DavidWhitley74]

@andrewsillett @cgwest00 Ox Tube operates as a local service between Oxford and Lewknor, as fuel duty rebate available as long as coach stops every 15 miles. However, became very popular with commuters from Watlington/Chinnor to London, leading to parking and road improvements being made by council.

[David Whitley @DavidWhitley74]

@Jay_Tee71 @GarethDennis @networkrail It was all fine when it had diagonal lines on the right hand side as part of the National Express design. Clearly the budget didn't extend to a new sign - just a sticker over the lines - when they lost the franchise! The perils of TOCs branding station signs (signed off by DfT).

[David Whitley @DavidWhitley74]

@mattgriffithsuk @ChimeWhistle @pacer142 @LessCrime @AD3Trains I guess key point is that without independent retailers, even cracks would still be exposed! From my time in TOCs, there seemed to be more effort in trying to control than welcome outside innovation - maybe due to nature of franchise contracts with high risk, low reward structure

[David Whitley @DavidWhitley74]

@mattgriffithsuk @Captain_Deltic @ChimeWhistle @pacer142 @LessCrime @AD3Trains Tried to work with McLaren to implement something similar on new trains at TOC I was working for, but fell flat & little interest industrywide. Would've been a great innovation for commuter operators/long distance alike. Imagine knowing where to stand on platform to get a seat...

[David Whitley @DavidWhitley74]

@ChimeWhistle @pacer142 @LessCrime @AD3Trains @mark395625 Processes shld be easier for passngers & offers available on all sites as @pacer142 says. But online is future & Trainline, etc sell £billions tckts annually by creating products ppl want, excellent comms & being 'passenger champions' (eg split ticketing). TOCs poor in comparison

[David Whitley @DavidWhitley74]

@ChimeWhistle @pacer142 @LessCrime @AD3Trains They only add a booking fee because the commission rates are so low. Worth remembering that it's these private companies we have to thank for the investment in online retailing, e-ticketing, and highly usable Apps. Not a TOC skillset https://t.co/N49hmRdDVf

[David Whitley @DavidWhitley74]

@GarethDennis @ChimeWhistle @joegrey1 @RAIL @Ianpascall81 @philatrail @AvantiWestCoast @InterCity86101 I think it shows commercial and customer focus. If he'd been approached by government directly, then I'd agree, but a professional private operator seeking to meet unfulfilled demand now - not 2 weeks after the event - should be applauded.

[David Whitley @DavidWhitley74]

@RAIL A very well constructed argument. And had The Queen died in London, we'd probably be blissfully ignorant of the change. No doubt the turmoil in the industry over the last few years also led to eyes being taken off the ball on this, too, which is sad.

[David Whitley @DavidWhitley74]

@RAIL I accept the conversation is about rail v air decision, but I'd be interested if road all the way was ever considered, as it would have arguably been even more accessible (certainly more than air) and possibly easier to organise at short notice.