Last weekend's TBTC trial on the Jubilee Line was beset by problems. The line was suspended Waterloo to West Hampstead for most of evening, then two trains were stuck at 5mph due to more faults ...
There were problems all day, from first train til last. Axle counter faults ... again. West Hampstead sidings problems ... again. Countless untrained drivers and no Instructor Operators for them ... again. And there were reports of managers not even bothering with any briefings regarding drivers who have not driven past Waterloo.
As the service finished late, London Bridge, Southwark, Canary Wharf and North Greenwich all shut before last train due to the overtime ban.
The term 'utter shambles' springs to mind.
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TBTC/ATO Info for Drivers
Not sure many Jubilee Line Drivers know this but before a train leaves the depot to run in TBTC or ATO service it has to pass a "Reform Test" (Nothing to do with Renumbering of a train!). A Reform Test HAS TO be done by Alstom when they do the normal train Prep & it is to make sure the VOBC's are communicating (This is different from what the Driver would see on the TOD). There is a separate 'Sign Off' sheet for this but Drivers don't see it as it's kept by Alstom, so Drivers won't know wether the train has passed this test & if it is fit for service. At present no trains have passed this test, not because something has failed during the test but so far NO TRAINS have had a Reform Test!