• ℹ️ Heads up...

    This is a popular topic that is fast moving Guest - before posting, please ensure that you check out the first post in the topic for a quick reminder of guidelines, and importantly a summary of the known facts and information so far. Thanks.

Monorail Refurbishment

flyingguitar said:
5/6 mins between dispatching most of that was loading meaning the ride is spending a long time sat in the station
Click to expand...

Is the load/unload sequence for the monorail automated? I kinda understand the point that without airgates they can't pre-batch, but even still I've waited next in line at 10am some mornings to watch the train come in, stop, open the unload side doors, sit and wait 2 minutes while precisely nobody disembarks, then close those doors and open the doors for loading. I never understand why we wait so long with the train in the station for invisible people to disembark so can only think that it must somehow be automated and the sequence is unable to be easily changed.
 
tech said:
Is the load/unload sequence for the monorail automated? I kinda understand the point that without airgates they can't pre-batch, but even still I've waited next in line at 10am some mornings to watch the train come in, stop, open the unload side doors, sit and wait 2 minutes while precisely nobody disembarks, then close those doors and open the doors for loading. I never understand why we wait so long with the train in the station for invisible people to disembark so can only think that it must somehow be automated and the sequence is unable to be easily changed.
Click to expand...
the sequence is likely required (you may have to open unload, to open load type of deal) but the timing is down to staff, I have seen them sometimes use it to prebatch with the idea that with the load doors closed you can line people up in the gates and easily see if each cabin is full without having to walk the train to find spots potentially saving time allowing for quicker dispaches
 
rob666 said:
They could just pull it, with disabled parking at both ends and disabled access by the hotels.
The rest of us could walk or pay premium parking.
Click to expand...
Parent and child spaces would also be needed if that happened, otherwise you'd have lots of families with young children complaining.
 
Skyscraper said:
Well, it's bean and gone now.
Click to expand...
Just Kidding Oh Snap GIF by Travis
 
I thought of this before but I think part of the solution to support the Monorail would be to have a set of travelators (like in airports and Europa Park) and a shelter that goes between the Car Park to the main entrance of the park. I'd say it would work reasonably nicely if maintained and executed well
 
They just need to get some air gates. I don’t understand.

Surely the cost of staffing more than offsets the cost of just getting a couple sets of air gates on each of the platforms? As far as capital investments go it’s one of the most cost effective additions they can make, while offering one of the highest benefits in terms of reducing the number of staff required (or releasing staff for other duties).
 
Leigh said:
They just need to get some air gates. I don’t understand.

Surely the cost of staffing more than offsets the cost of just getting a couple sets of air gates on each of the platforms? As far as capital investments go it’s one of the most cost effective additions they can make, while offering one of the highest benefits in terms of reducing the number of staff required (or releasing staff for other duties).
Click to expand...

I suspect the reason they haven’t added airgates is they just don’t know what they are doing with it. I would guess it’s been mooted as closing by management every season for the last 10.

It would probably cost upwards of £10 million to properly refurbish it, they know it’s fairly essential for the park but they also don’t get any added revenue by spending that sort of money.
 
Dave said:
I suspect the reason they haven’t added airgates is they just don’t know what they are doing with it. I would guess it’s been mooted as closing by management every season for the last 10.

It would probably cost upwards of £10 million to properly refurbish it, they know it’s fairly essential for the park but they also don’t get any added revenue by spending that sort of money.
Click to expand...
Up until the car park charge, it was also the one attraction you didn't have to pay for entry for to experience. I went to school with someone who's grandparents took them to Alton Towers once a year, to ride the Monorail all day and never go into the park... Which is almost cruel when you think about it properly, but they seemed happy enough.
 
As has been said, we’re now at the point of a surprise if a key piece of infrastructure will make it from one year to the next.

If they scrap the monorail, with no replacement and the entrance doesn’t move.

What message does that send to guests?

Thank you for paying the extortionate prices for your terrible food, sorry about the long queues, sorry about the tatty appearance and less rides, thanks for paying the exorbitant price for our hotels, that are generally worse than a premier inn. Did you enjoy the non existent entertainment? Sorry about the state of the gardens. But did you remember to pay for your parking on top of your entrance fee? Oh and do enjoy your long uncovered walk back to your car, with your pushchairs, and grandparents, down the dark unprotected path against oncoming traffic.

Hope you had a fantastical day.
 
Having visited throughout the years, I’ve definitely noticed the gradual reduction and deterioration of the monorail in my 12/13 years visiting Towers.

In the early 2010’s, the service of trains was frequent with several running on the track then no doubt. It was an efficient service and people just jumped in/out of the trains like a metro system.

5-10 years ago/post Smiler, a reduction in service noticeable but still several trains on the track. Around the late 2010’s guests didn’t get loaded onto the platform until the train was static. Supermarket style doors added at exits.

In Recent years, the above has only gotten worse with fewer trains running and larger gaps between shuttles. Recently I witnessed just two trains running and five on the sidings, on a Saturday. I recall hearing that one of the trains hasn’t been used in years and maybe cannibalised as a result.

At nearly 40 years old, there’s no denying the monorail in its current state is on its last legs. Sufficient funding for a replacement or major upgrade seems unlikely. It’s possible it will only be operated at peak times with a continuation of reduced services. Comparing the system to say Disney feels irrelevant but in a perfect world, towers/merlin would give it a major upgrade.
 
AT86 said:
The fact they have just spent a considerable amount refurbishing the Skyride gives me hope the monorail will get the same treatment.

However I do fear we are moving into a new era within Merlin that could throw that theory out the window.
Click to expand...
There was an obligation to provide access within the park with the skyride, as it had been a transport provision used by disabled people for decades.
Because the provision had been there for many years, and was regularly used for access around the park, it had to be reopened for reasonable access.
There is already disabled provision outside the gates, so merlin do not have the same obligation with the monorail.
I don't think the skyride would have returned apart from the legal issues regarding access, there had been pressure from a number of disabled groups.
 
rob666 said:
There was an obligation to provide access within the park with the skyride, as it had been a transport provision used by disabled people for decades.
Because the provision had been there for many years, and was regularly used for access around the park, it had to be reopened for reasonable access.
There is already disabled provision outside the gates, so merlin do not have the same obligation with the monorail.
I don't think the skyride would have returned apart from the legal issues regarding access, there had been pressure from a number of disabled groups.
Click to expand...

It really didn’t and can we not roll around this debate again. If you were correct they would need to implement an alternative every time it broke down (you don’t see high rise buildings saying tough when the lift is broken, they have back ups).

The fact the park never had to provide an alternative during its downtime at any point in its life means it never has been considered a legal requirement to operate.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top