<p>Disruptions can happen and seriously affect commuter routes. Whether it’s planned works or unforeseen circumstances, the impact can be huge. And when that happens to a national travel system that millions rely upon each day, then there needs to be a plan in place to ensure services remain as smooth as possible.</p>

<p>At First Travel Solutions, we provide expert railway support services and support to train operators up and down the country, offering alternative travel for both passengers and crew. We understand that the transfer from travelling by rail to <a href="https://www.firsttravelsolutions.com/coach-hire-solutions">bus or coach</a> isn’t always the most enjoyable, but we strive to make it as efficient and seamless as possible.</p>

<h2>Railway Support Services You Can Rely On</h2>

<p>When something unexpected happens, we can be there in no time through our railway support services. With our 24/7 control and management centre and our carefully selected base of nationwide drivers and vehicles, we can respond quickly to any situation. We also employ a network of over 500 fully trained and uniformed coordinators, who play a major role in customer service and ensuring the smooth running of our rail transport services.</p>

<p>But that’s not all: First Travel Solutions also manages the whole process for you from beginning to end. This involves liaising with local authorities, the Highways Agency and police to ensure we not only meet and exceed your expectations, but that we do so safely and legally. Our professional team will ensure that everything runs smoothly. Our railway support services are here for you, making sure a potential inconvenience has no impact on your daily operations.</p>

<h2>Get in Touch About Our Rail Transport Services</h2>

<p>If you have any questions or would like to speak to a member of our team, don’t hesitate to <a href="https://www.firsttravelsolutions.com/contact-us">contact us</a>. We tailor our services around your individual requirements to ensure that your business needs are met and exceeded.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For further details about our expert rail transport services, please call 0345 528 0270 or email <a href="mailto:travel.solutions@firstgroup.com">travel.solutions@f</a><a href="mailto:travel.solutions@firstbus.co.uk">irstbus.co.uk</a>. We’re always happy to discuss what you would like to achieve and how we can work together to get there.</p>


Rail Transport Services

<p>Rail replacement buses are rarely popular, but the services put in place after storms hit the South West won a resounding thank-you from customers.</p>

<h2>The Challenge</h2>

<p>In February 2014, storms caused major damage to the Great Western rail network.</p>

<p>When rail lines were flooded in Somerset, First Travel Solutions was already providing a rail replacement service between Exeter and Taunton, during planned improvements to the Whiteball Tunnel. Those services were adapted to keep customers moving.</p>

<p>However, severe storms then hit the Devon coastline, causing significant damage to the Dawlish seawall. It was immediately clear that this would cause longer-term disruption to rail services.</p>

<h2>The Solution</h2>

<p>Staff at our Simonstone headquarters set about contacting the operators of the vehicles that were being used on the Whiteball Tunnel blockade, to secure these resources for the weeks ahead.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the Somerset Levels flooded in the Fordgate area – which meant that in addition to the Devon rail replacement services, there was a need for transport between Bridgwater and Taunton.</p>

<p>We were able to resource the required vehicles to put a planned service in place, using around 166 vehicles carrying out over 360 bus and coach journeys every day.</p>

<p>To support the local economy, a luxury coach service was also introduced to replace the Night Riviera Sleeper between Tiverton, Portsmouth and Truro. And extra services were provided for local schools and colleges.</p>

<p>We made special efforts to improve customers’ experience during difficult journeys. We arranged for a FirstGroup driver training bus to be equipped as a waiting room at Dawlish station – especially welcomed while the storms continued. We also provided a Portacabin at Exeter St Davids station for the same purpose. This included photographs of the flooding and damage, helping customers to appreciate the need for rail replacement services.</p>

<p>Uniformed ground staff who had worked on the Whiteball Tunnel project were retained to guide customers at stations during the disruption. Coordinators had the discretion to make decisions to help customers whose journey was disrupted, allowing flexibility over ticket restrictions.</p>

<h2>The Result</h2>

<p>The rail replacement services managed to keep the West moving over an unprecedented area. Customers offered compliments in person and thank-you cards. Plymouth City Council invited First Travel Solutions to a civic reception to thank staff for their efforts on the city’s behalf.</p>


Great Western Railway Dawlish

Case Study

<h2>The Challenge</h2>

<p>Storm Doris was well forecast to hit parts of the UK on 23rd February 2017 and much of the country was prepared to face not only severe weather but also some serious travel disruptions.</p>

<p>For the team at First Travel Solutions (FTS), the build up to the storm actually started on the 22nd February with some train operating companies (TOCs) requesting contingency standby coaches to combat the forecasted disruption across the various rail networks.</p>

<p>They were right to be so well prepared as Storm Doris blew in with a vengeance as per the weather forecast.</p>

<h2>The Solution</h2>

<p>On the 23rd February when Storm Doris hit the UK, the first request for emergency transport came into the control room at 06.47 on behalf of Great Western Railway (GWR).</p>

<p>This very much set the tone for what was to be an exceptionally busy day for the team at FTS. &nbsp;Knowing this was going to be the case the control room at FTS was fully manned and operational with additional resource drafted in to assist.&nbsp; This really was a case of the team getting their sleeves rolled up and mucking in to provide transport support for a significant amount of customers.</p>

<p>During the day, over 50 requests for coach transportation were received, totalling 233 coaches for a multitude of clients including London Midland, GTR and Arriva Trains Wales. Other TOCs also requested coaches to cover their own particular disruptions and due to major flight disruptions across the country, coaches were being utilised to convoy passengers between airports.</p>

<p>Whilst the team at FTS were at full stretch dealing with emergency requests being made throughout the day, they still had to ensure they were tracking and monitoring all their pre-planned coach work.</p>

<p>In addition to all this, FTS staff also had 136 pre-planned taxi journeys to track. The major weather disruption across the UK resulted in the team at FTS recruiting an additional 146 emergency taxis. This was mainly for Transpennine Express and easyJet to ensure their train and air crews reached their destinations safely and on time.</p>

<p>As the weather related disruptions continued it was clear coach drivers’ hours were becoming a real problem, with the legal driving time for many drivers expiring. This became evident when the FTS control room received a further request for 37 coaches and drivers late on the 23rd February to start at 05:30 on the 24th February These were requested by London Midland services that had been effected by damage caused by Storm Doris.</p>

<p>Many drivers had to take their legal break but the team at FTS successfully recruited 23 emergency vehicles and drivers in the early hours of the 24th February who could commence work at 05:30 and onwards therefore ensuring London Midland’s emergency request was delivered.</p>

<h2>The Results</h2>

<p>Over the course of the 23rd February the team at FTS recruited a total of 381 emergency vehicles for customers.</p>

<p>This ensured the vast majority of people reached their destination safely and on time.</p>
