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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: Sheilbh on December 25, 2023, 05:32:10 PM

Poll
Question: Are the trains running on Christmas Day?
Option 1: Yes (Euro) votes: 9
Option 2: Yes (North American) votes: 4
Option 3: Yes (ROTW) votes: 1
Option 4: No (Euro) votes: 1
Option 5: No (North American) votes: 0
Option 6: No (ROTW) votes: 0
Title: Christmas Trains
Post by: Sheilbh on December 25, 2023, 05:32:10 PM
Prompted by this tweet from someone on holiday for Christmas (who used to live in France). Belgian trains running too:
QuoteTom Forth
@thomasforth
Not surprised by the Dutch running trains on Christmas Day. But the French?! I'd have assumed it was triple pay, no trains, and a free lobster dinner for all the staff. But instead no,... train people at work.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GCLpxE8W0AAGtxM?format=jpg&name=small)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GCLpxP6WAAABW7d?format=jpg&name=small)

So - had me wondering, are the trains running in your country?

Everything is closed in the UK (and Ireland) for Christmas and Boxing Day.
Title: Re: Christmas Trains
Post by: Josquius on December 25, 2023, 06:15:20 PM
In Switzerland yes of course. They're not some fancy luxury for once in a lifetime trips to 50 miles away as in the UK. They're public transport. Would be rubbish if on Christmas of all days people couldn't visit others.
Title: Re: Christmas Trains
Post by: Admiral Yi on December 25, 2023, 06:15:57 PM
I have a vague recollection of DC metro running on Christmas.
Title: Re: Christmas Trains
Post by: Grey Fox on December 25, 2023, 07:08:22 PM
Yes. Christmas is one of the cheapest day of the year to travel on viarail.
Title: Re: Christmas Trains
Post by: HVC on December 25, 2023, 08:21:23 PM
Just checked,  and yes trains running.
Title: Re: Christmas Trains
Post by: viper37 on December 25, 2023, 08:42:51 PM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 25, 2023, 05:32:10 PMPrompted by this tweet from someone on holiday for Christmas (who used to live in France). Belgian trains running too:
QuoteTom Forth
@thomasforth
Not surprised by the Dutch running trains on Christmas Day. But the French?! I'd have assumed it was triple pay, no trains, and a free lobster dinner for all the staff. But instead no,... train people at work.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GCLpxE8W0AAGtxM?format=jpg&name=small)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GCLpxP6WAAABW7d?format=jpg&name=small)

So - had me wondering, are the trains running in your country?

Everything is closed in the UK (and Ireland) for Christmas and Boxing Day.
Bus were running, so I assume trains too, albeit at a reduce service.

I haven't check until now and there's no departure between Quebec city and Montreal, but that means nothing.  Usually, it's earlier in the day.  They're on for tomorrow, and the day after Christmas is usually off for most businesses too.
Title: Re: Christmas Trains
Post by: Maladict on December 26, 2023, 12:09:44 AM
People here depend on trains to get anywhere, including their families on Christmas Day. Service might be reduced on Christmas Eve, and possibly both Christmas days.
Title: Re: Christmas Trains
Post by: Zanza on December 26, 2023, 12:46:35 AM
What Maladict said. Maybe reduced service on Christmas and Boxing Day, similar to a Sunday, but definitely running.
Title: Re: Christmas Trains
Post by: celedhring on December 26, 2023, 01:17:26 AM
Yes, I took the train to go to my parents', as a matter of fact.
Title: Re: Christmas Trains
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 26, 2023, 08:10:36 AM
Quote from: Maladict on December 26, 2023, 12:09:44 AMPeople here depend on trains to get anywhere, including their families on Christmas Day. Service might be reduced on Christmas Eve, and possibly both Christmas days.

Same here.
Not just commuting, metros, RER/S-Bahns, busses etc.
Title: Re: Christmas Trains
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 26, 2023, 08:11:38 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on December 25, 2023, 05:32:10 PMPrompted by this tweet from someone on holiday for Christmas (who used to live in France). Belgian trains running too:
QuoteTom Forth
@thomasforth
Not surprised by the Dutch running trains on Christmas Day. But the French?! I'd have assumed it was triple pay, no trains, and a free lobster dinner for all the staff. But instead no,... train people at work.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GCLpxE8W0AAGtxM?format=jpg&name=small)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GCLpxP6WAAABW7d?format=jpg&name=small)

So - had me wondering, are the trains running in your country?

Everything is closed in the UK (and Ireland) for Christmas and Boxing Day.

76 € for just a bit more than one hour by train?! Prices increased a lot since 2016, and not just for Christmas.
Title: Re: Christmas Trains
Post by: Sheilbh on December 26, 2023, 08:15:22 AM
Yeah I was shocked at how expensive SNCF was last time I was in France. Admittedly I was buying tickets for trains on that day, but the default perception in the UK is that trains are cheaper and better in the rest of Europe so it was a surprise.
Title: Re: Christmas Trains
Post by: Duque de Bragança on December 26, 2023, 08:50:30 AM
To be fair, it's mostly on the high-speed track so higher fee. Still...
Title: Re: Christmas Trains
Post by: HVC on December 26, 2023, 09:31:29 AM
Someone's gotta pay for all those strikes.
Title: Re: Christmas Trains
Post by: The Brain on December 27, 2023, 04:44:01 AM
Yes. Also hospitals, power plants, etc.
Title: Re: Christmas Trains
Post by: Oexmelin on December 27, 2023, 09:14:09 PM
Quote from: viper37 on December 25, 2023, 08:42:51 PMi haven't check until now and there's no departure between Quebec city and Montreal, but that means nothing.  Usually, it's earlier in the day.  They're on for tomorrow, and the day after Christmas is usually off for most businesses too.

There were buses (and trains) between Quebec and Montreal on Christmas Day, and on Jan. 1st.
Title: Re: Christmas Trains
Post by: viper37 on December 27, 2023, 10:14:43 PM
Quote from: Oexmelin on December 27, 2023, 09:14:09 PM
Quote from: viper37 on December 25, 2023, 08:42:51 PMi haven't check until now and there's no departure between Quebec city and Montreal, but that means nothing.  Usually, it's earlier in the day.  They're on for tomorrow, and the day after Christmas is usually off for most businesses too.

There were buses (and trains) between Quebec and Montreal on Christmas Day, and on Jan. 1st.
Good to know, thanks.
Title: Re: Christmas Trains
Post by: Zanza on December 28, 2023, 01:20:43 AM
I read that about 10% of the workforce here have to work during Christmas.
Title: Re: Christmas Trains
Post by: Sheilbh on December 28, 2023, 06:58:56 AM
Interesting - just checked and latest ONS stats are about 3.5% here. Largest sectors are, as you'd expect, health and social care followed by agriculture (forestry, fisheries etc) and hospitality - so it tilts female.