Commuting to work by train is just a joke
I've been commuting to work by train now for over a year and have paid the rail companies somewhere in the region of 3,500 in season tickets. Well to tell you the truth I don't think that I have exactly received good value for money in that time. I've used a number of different train services such as Chiltern, Great Western and Virgin etc. and its always the same old story of late trains and very costly season tickets.
A real incentive to ditch the car for the train?
We were all affected by the travel chaos that the country was left with after the Hatfield crash and the huge repair programme that Rail-track undertook afterwards. But even now certain train operators have still to come up to scratch and I think it's high time they put the passenger first instead of their own profits. The average commuter parts with a tidy sum of their hard earned cash each month and yet still spends a record amount of time standing on some platform listening to another announcement informing them that their train will be late or has been cancelled.
Who would want to give up their car and chance their arm with the state of public transport as it is at the moment? The buses are over crowded and infrequent, trains are erratic as well as expensive and if you live in London the only other alternative is to do battle on an overcrowded and dirty underground system.
Another thing about commuting to work by train that really winds me up, is the cost of refreshments. How can the rail companies justify charging the extortionate prices that they do in buffet cars and for snacks and drinks from refreshment trolleys? Isn't it enough that we already fork out a kings ransom for the ticket?
You can now complain online
I've come across a few sites on the Internet that publish passenger complaints and in some cases actually forward the letters on to the transport company involved, so they are definitely worth visiting.
Train Refunds
Rail passengers have had a tough time of it lately - well now there's a new web site which aims to help regular passengers, including those who use London's Tube, claim compensation which is rightly theirs.
Journey's Friend
There are some very interesting points made here about how to make travel with your fellow passengers more pleasant.
Comments from visitors
I'm writing a magazine article on cycle-commuting, and would be interested to hear from commuters who *could* bike to work, but don't.
Is it something you've just never thought about?
Or if you have considered biking to work, what sort of things are putting you off?
What sort of things might make you consider trying it?
And - most interesting, for me - if you work alongside people who commute in by bike, what sort of image do they have in your workplace?
Many thanks.
Is it something you've just never thought about?
Or if you have considered biking to work, what sort of things are putting you off?
What sort of things might make you consider trying it?
And - most interesting, for me - if you work alongside people who commute in by bike, what sort of image do they have in your workplace?
Many thanks.
+25
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To help you cope with commuting by train - read "Going Off The Rails - the madness of John Biddle" the comedy novel by Keith Mapp. It will tell you why the trains run late so often. There is a reason - and it's not the one you might expect. Reading it win't make the trains run any better - but it might make you laugh while they don't! Find it on Amazon now.
+91
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Is there a customer focus group or similar for Southern Trains? Some medium by which complaints and/or comments can be fed through official channels to management, rather than me impotently sending queries to Southern's customer feedback email address and getting standard replies about signalling problems in the Caterham area?
+71
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I am currently writing a piece about My Commuter Survival Kit. basically its the things I need to take to get me through the journey. I would be keen to hear about your must have gadgets and things. Take a look at http://www.onatrain.net and tell me yours.
+90
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onatrain.net - 10-Jan-11 21:41
I don't know if it will make frustrated commuters feel better, but I'm writing a book called "Why Your Train is Late" (I've published transport books and aricles before). If you find it interesting or therapeutic, send me details of your train delays. If I use your information I'll send you a free copy of the book. Please give details (e.g. date of journey, scheduled time of arrival, minutes of delay, train operator). Spare me complaints about fares, but I also research queuing and waiting.
+3
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davidsd@blueyonder.co.uk - 9-Jan-11 12:37
South eastern railway ticket inspectors are obnoxious.I topped up my oyster card at there ticket machines the oyster card read updated with 2.40p on it.
I attempted to go through the barrier and it would not allow me. I explained this to the barrier staff and his reply was tuff you got no money on the oyster this is when it my blood pressure had risen with a severe desire to knock his obnoxius block off. After standing at the barrier with his legs apart belive me I was tempted after telling me I am not geting through the barrier. I only wanted to go 2 stops in london single fare. These people are trained to make you look small and lable you a fare evader.They are totaly non accountable bigots.Is it not what its all about now days
privatisation non accountabilty I dont recommend assaulting rail staff even though some of them deserve it but I can fully understand people who do after losing there money in the ticket machine.Or paying for an expensive season ticket unfortunatly the complaints system is a leghthy procedure and as far as I am concerned oyster cards are nothing but agro.
But again this is were none accountability comes in privitisation oyster card is nothing to do with them.The british transport system is to complicated and expensive and inefficiant.Another organisation which is laughing stock of europe south eastern railway.
I attempted to go through the barrier and it would not allow me. I explained this to the barrier staff and his reply was tuff you got no money on the oyster this is when it my blood pressure had risen with a severe desire to knock his obnoxius block off. After standing at the barrier with his legs apart belive me I was tempted after telling me I am not geting through the barrier. I only wanted to go 2 stops in london single fare. These people are trained to make you look small and lable you a fare evader.They are totaly non accountable bigots.Is it not what its all about now days
privatisation non accountabilty I dont recommend assaulting rail staff even though some of them deserve it but I can fully understand people who do after losing there money in the ticket machine.Or paying for an expensive season ticket unfortunatly the complaints system is a leghthy procedure and as far as I am concerned oyster cards are nothing but agro.
But again this is were none accountability comes in privitisation oyster card is nothing to do with them.The british transport system is to complicated and expensive and inefficiant.Another organisation which is laughing stock of europe south eastern railway.
+16
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A 2 carriage train during the rush hours where 100+ people attempt to board a train. It's a joke we need more carriages on when it's busy!
-69
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Thomas the Tank Engine - 22-Dec-10 18:00
Train Free Day
Yesterday it was announced that rail fares are to rise next year on average by 6.2%. That’s just an average, in some areas Season Ticket holders could be paying as much as 10.8% more. There is no price cap so rail firms could raise them by much more.
Newport-Bristol off-peak day return will be rising by 8%. We feel this is too high an increase for our daily commute which is already expensive, often late and always overcrowded. Like many, our wages aren’t likely to rise by this amount so we have to swallow these costs ourselves just to get to work. This is why we are going on strike.
What we’re proposing is a passenger strike day on Friday 17th December 2010.
We call it TRAIN FREE DAY.
It’s not easy but see if you can find an alternative method of transport, be it by bike, car, bus or walking. If that’s not possible consider working from home.
By protesting in large numbers perhaps we can make a difference and let the government and rail companies know that we won’t just accept price hikes without any improvements to the service.
arrivatrainsnails.co.uk and onatrain.net are joining forces to help launch TRAIN FREE DAY.
Please show your support, re-tweet this article, tell people about it on Facebook or email your friends this article. It would be great if we made a difference. Don’t forget to add your comments in our guestbook.
Read more about the prices on the BBC News website:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11818904
Yesterday it was announced that rail fares are to rise next year on average by 6.2%. That’s just an average, in some areas Season Ticket holders could be paying as much as 10.8% more. There is no price cap so rail firms could raise them by much more.
Newport-Bristol off-peak day return will be rising by 8%. We feel this is too high an increase for our daily commute which is already expensive, often late and always overcrowded. Like many, our wages aren’t likely to rise by this amount so we have to swallow these costs ourselves just to get to work. This is why we are going on strike.
What we’re proposing is a passenger strike day on Friday 17th December 2010.
We call it TRAIN FREE DAY.
It’s not easy but see if you can find an alternative method of transport, be it by bike, car, bus or walking. If that’s not possible consider working from home.
By protesting in large numbers perhaps we can make a difference and let the government and rail companies know that we won’t just accept price hikes without any improvements to the service.
arrivatrainsnails.co.uk and onatrain.net are joining forces to help launch TRAIN FREE DAY.
Please show your support, re-tweet this article, tell people about it on Facebook or email your friends this article. It would be great if we made a difference. Don’t forget to add your comments in our guestbook.
Read more about the prices on the BBC News website:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11818904
+90
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TRAIN FREE DAY - 25-Nov-10 17:24
On the 13th September 2010, in time for the Ryder Cup, the newly constructed but incomplete buildings at Newport Railway Station finally opened. Even though the buildings were not finished, the passengers were still able to walk mud and dirt into the new flooring and also fight their way to platforms via the closed off steps. The new glass windows in the roofs of platforms look real nice, especially next to the dirty old windows, which no one could be bothered to wash. Two months after opening and the roof is now leaking. The building work is still incomplete as windows are still boarded up at the front, making it look untidy.
Not much thought has gone into the design and running of the station, there is only one ticket machine in the vestibule next to the main carpark, allowing queues to easily form during peak times. Which means bad news for those of you who may miss a train due to joining that queue. Forget the idea of buying a ticket on the train as you won’t be able to get past the ‘revenue protection officer’ who guards the barriers. Unless of course you happen to be a good looking woman, when they will open the gates and allow you to pass through.
W.H. Smith has been hidden away in the corner of the of the station – blink and you will miss it. Anyway, enough of the negative stuff, let’s have some positives.
The £22million facelift will improve the appearance of the station, achieve greater links between all modes of transport and create a new gateway into Newport, improving pedestrian access between the station and the city centre. So it’s fair to say that things are looking good for passengers and commuters @ Newport?
Well maybe not quite yet, as many of the staff at Newport Railway Station still have a real bad attitude towards customers. Maybe it’s time that the management at the station spent a little bit more cash on some customer service courses?
For more info, go to www.arrivatrainsnails.co.uk
Not much thought has gone into the design and running of the station, there is only one ticket machine in the vestibule next to the main carpark, allowing queues to easily form during peak times. Which means bad news for those of you who may miss a train due to joining that queue. Forget the idea of buying a ticket on the train as you won’t be able to get past the ‘revenue protection officer’ who guards the barriers. Unless of course you happen to be a good looking woman, when they will open the gates and allow you to pass through.
W.H. Smith has been hidden away in the corner of the of the station – blink and you will miss it. Anyway, enough of the negative stuff, let’s have some positives.
The £22million facelift will improve the appearance of the station, achieve greater links between all modes of transport and create a new gateway into Newport, improving pedestrian access between the station and the city centre. So it’s fair to say that things are looking good for passengers and commuters @ Newport?
Well maybe not quite yet, as many of the staff at Newport Railway Station still have a real bad attitude towards customers. Maybe it’s time that the management at the station spent a little bit more cash on some customer service courses?
For more info, go to www.arrivatrainsnails.co.uk
+69
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Arrivatrainsnails - 19-Nov-10 11:37
I think that the train operators now tae the commuters as for nothing because their services now worst than before.
particularly Gospel Oak to Barking. The operators has no regard for the passengers.
Thrains are been cancelled without any information/s or apologise.
yesterday I was at Crouch Hil Station at about 4 . 40pm , after two trains has been cacelled all passengers in platform were asked to leave the station by the station attendant.
This has ben the regular attitude of the Train operators and the station attendants.
particularly Gospel Oak to Barking. The operators has no regard for the passengers.
Thrains are been cancelled without any information/s or apologise.
yesterday I was at Crouch Hil Station at about 4 . 40pm , after two trains has been cacelled all passengers in platform were asked to leave the station by the station attendant.
This has ben the regular attitude of the Train operators and the station attendants.
-98
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Last year I moved house and found myself nearer to a train station. The theory is excellent because I can now get to work without having to drive or cycle giving me more time to read, sleep or catch up on my email or play Angry Birds on my iPhone.
The reality is often trains are late, canceled or overcrowded so I decided to start writing about my daily commute. I have now created my own blog to put all these observations together. If you regularly commute on a train take a look at http://www.onatrain.net
The reality is often trains are late, canceled or overcrowded so I decided to start writing about my daily commute. I have now created my own blog to put all these observations together. If you regularly commute on a train take a look at http://www.onatrain.net
-91
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Trains never arrive on time which is a problem. Cycling on the streets is also a problem.
I use my rockboard scooter to commute to work as I feel it is more practical and fun, plus I get attention from everyone asking me where they can get one from. Being stuck on the trains is a nightmare at times and people coughing and spluttering everywhere is sometimes hard to take. What ever happened to good old fashioned on-time trains. I would rather ride on the pavements and get to work.
I use my rockboard scooter to commute to work as I feel it is more practical and fun, plus I get attention from everyone asking me where they can get one from. Being stuck on the trains is a nightmare at times and people coughing and spluttering everywhere is sometimes hard to take. What ever happened to good old fashioned on-time trains. I would rather ride on the pavements and get to work.
+29
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smarttraveller - 16-Oct-10 12:24
Hi, some employees have the advantage of being able to work from home (modern bosses allow it), taking them off the road and out of trains. The technology is well developed and some companies have been doing it for many years (the AA, BT, Avaya etc.). We need to enable more people to do this. I now only go in one or two days a week so I can have informal meetings and company while I work!
+64
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public transport may seem practical but it is not efficient enough to replace the car. not yet anyway.
0
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mardi gras the candyman can - 6-Oct-10 19:34
Hi guys,
Im a third year student undertaking a design project for Metro newspaper. I am trying to get some understanding of commuter preferences of paper and views on recycling papers.
Please could you take 2 minutes out of your time to fill out these very short questionnaires.
Thank you very much, Katie.
Survey 1: www.surveymonkey.com/s/QRBBWLQ
Survey 2: www.surveymonkey.com/s/PQYKMB2
Im a third year student undertaking a design project for Metro newspaper. I am trying to get some understanding of commuter preferences of paper and views on recycling papers.
Please could you take 2 minutes out of your time to fill out these very short questionnaires.
Thank you very much, Katie.
Survey 1: www.surveymonkey.com/s/QRBBWLQ
Survey 2: www.surveymonkey.com/s/PQYKMB2
-85
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Just had more late trains today and to see if the government even care have set up a twitter account @latetrains to try and do something! Anything has to help!!!
-48
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rail strikes are coming but dont think the staff want more money or less hours we just want safety and no more job cuts as we are already running on an all time staff low and risks are taken more often to get jobs done,maintenance is at an all time low and the ground staff have had enough and refuse to have the blood of passengers or co-workers on there hands!!!! so when the strikes come just so you know we dont want big pay rises we just want a safe railway and no more cuts to avoid the worst
-2
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angelsonrails - 3-Mar-10 15:10
how come lovely ladies do not wear lil skirts and stockings anymore...? Even in winter there used to be the odd one?
Come on girls help brighten our day!
Come on girls help brighten our day!
+102
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frustratedbeds - 3-Feb-10 08:13
We are inviting commuters who change at West Ham for Fenchurch Street to attend a market research focus group.
You will be paid £55 in cash for attending a group to discuss rail services and facilities.
All comments and suggestions will be reported back anonymously.
The discussion is on the evening of Tuesday 26th January in central London and will last 2 hours.
For more information and to take part call Suzy on: 020 8452 8391 or email: thetelephoneunit@virginmedia.com
You will be paid £55 in cash for attending a group to discuss rail services and facilities.
All comments and suggestions will be reported back anonymously.
The discussion is on the evening of Tuesday 26th January in central London and will last 2 hours.
For more information and to take part call Suzy on: 020 8452 8391 or email: thetelephoneunit@virginmedia.com
-49
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The Telephone Unit - 18-Jan-10 18:50
Have created this website www.commutecompanion.com to enable commuters in the UK to network, mobilise and make their views easily heard. It aims at connecting commuters and exposing commuting opportunities inherent in the people in their neighbourhood.
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