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Saphos Trains 2020

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by 61994, Sep 15, 2019.

    Probably the Steam Railway article. The law gives 'reasonable excuse' for not wearing a mask. One such is 'if it is reasonable necessary' (for a passenger) 'to eat and drink'. As SR suggests, is it 'reasonably necessary' to run a dining train?

    Personally, I hope so!
     
  1. Bulleid Pacific

    Bulleid Pacific Part of the furniture

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    I note Saphos have rejigged their website, and it seems there is now a minimum booking level of two people. Forking out for two First Class seats on the trips I looked at would be a bit steep if a single traveller like myself really wanted a run. I guess they have to make money somehow and maintain the 'bubbles' formed. Still difficult to come to terms with it all, though. Doing my savings the world of good, so there's a silver lining somewhere.
     
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  2. Saphos still make no mention of face mask requirements.
     
  3. Groks212

    Groks212 Member

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    Taken from Saphos Trains website under Travellers Tips and FAQ, Covid 19 :
    FACE COVERINGS
    From 4 July leisure and hospitality venues are being allowed to open providing they can meet government guidelines. All our seating plans meet or exceed the 2m or 1m (plus) requirements and as a result, we will not require customers to wear face coverings when seated in our carriages.

    Of course, if customers do wish to do so then they can, and we would recommend wearing a face covering when visiting the lavatory or buffet (the buffet counter is fitted with an Acrylic safety screen).

    It is a mandatory requirement that face coverings are worn when entering the station and on platforms. We will carry a small stock of face coverings on our services so that should a passenger lose or break theirs we can help and ensure such an issue does not spoil their day.


    Dave B
     
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  4. 30567

    30567 Part of the furniture Friend

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    Looks like they've ditched Standard for this season.
     
  5. Groks212

    Groks212 Member

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    Deleted.
     
    Last edited: Jul 2, 2020
  6. Oswald T Wistle

    Oswald T Wistle Well-Known Member Friend

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    I may not have been keeping up with recent developments but last I heard passengers on trains, including heritage trains, were required to wear face coverings. Has this been resolved with the Government or have Saphos unilaterally decided that they are "leisure and hospitality" and not "public transport"? I am also a little confused with the reference to 1m (plus); Saphos re-jigged their operation to comply with the 2 metre rule and if that is still the case then why mention 1m (plus)? 1m+ is intended where 2m is not practicable (physically or economically), so have Saphos changed something, if so why and what are the mitigations that they have now put in place?
     
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  7. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

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    True. Click on book on the updates site and there are only 2 Classes of Travel First Class and Premier Class options. Follow link as example.

    https://saphostrains.com/book/
     
  8. Welsh Government have announced their intention to allow restaurants with outdoor space to reopen from 13th July. I wonder if this will have implications for meal service aboard the Pembroke Coast Express on 29th July. It now seems certain indoor restaurants in Wales will remain banned on that date. Open-air Mk1 anyone?
     
  9. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

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    Yes all rail travel including Heritage lines require the use of masks so I think Saphos are wrong
     
  10. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

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    +1
     
  11. Bulleid Pacific

    Bulleid Pacific Part of the furniture

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  12. Oswald T Wistle

    Oswald T Wistle Well-Known Member Friend

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    It is difficult (impossible) to see how these regulations do not apply to charter trains. There are several reasons why perhaps they should not; adoption of social distancing and known passenger details etc. Rather than the "clarity" being sought by the HRA (Steam Railway 507) what is probably needed is a derogation. Otherwise how long will it be before an unhappy passenger on a service train who is mandated to wear a face covering raises the issue with the "powers that be".
     
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  13. Perhaps the rules as applied to cruise ships would be appropriate for main line charter trains.
     
  14. Oswald T Wistle

    Oswald T Wistle Well-Known Member Friend

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    Saphos have done an excellent job in preparing the train and with the information however, there does seem to be a conflict.

    FACE COVERINGS

    "It is a mandatory requirement that face coverings are worn when entering the station and on platforms."

    But further along,

    WHILE AWAITING THE SERVICE AT THE STATION

    ". . . most stations now expect anyone using the station to wear a face mask or covering. While not mandatory, we would encourage customers to help the station operators . . "

    A touch of Boris-speak?!
     
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  15. Bulleid Pacific

    Bulleid Pacific Part of the furniture

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    With hindsight, the previous iteration of this post was probably a little too facetious, for which I apologise. However, the point I was trying to make was that one would have thought that legal advice is taken by everyone concerned as a matter of course to ascertain how new legislation affects business, so one would assume there's been due consultation with the relevant people in all parts of the industry.
     
    Last edited: Jul 3, 2020
  16. Oswald T Wistle

    Oswald T Wistle Well-Known Member Friend

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    It matters not what we think or what advice Saphos asked for or didn't ask for - sometimes if you ask the question you may not like the answer. Perhaps some "official off the record" source opined that such trips could be treated as "leisure" rather than "public transport" - who knows? The upshot is that the trips will run and I wish Saphos well. I am sure that the other operators will be watching on with interest.
     
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  17. Bulleid Pacific

    Bulleid Pacific Part of the furniture

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    Indeed, and I await news with interest too.
     
  18. Oswald T Wistle

    Oswald T Wistle Well-Known Member Friend

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    West Coast Railways regularly provide information to The Lancashire Telegraph and this appeared in the 7th July edition. It is "advertising" the return of the Scarborough Spa Express (that picks up in Blackburn, hence the article in the Blackburn-based newspaper).

    A spokesman for operators West Coast Railways said: “We are chuffed to be getting back on track again after being shunted off into a siding by the pandemic. The safety of passengers, crew and local communities remains paramount so we are reducing the number of seats, asking everybody to use hand sanitiser and, of course, passengers must wear safety masks."

    Seems difficult to reconcile this with the Saphos approach.
     
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