I Hate National Express

The Last Post

2010-06-06T22:22:00.001+01:00

This will probably be the last post on this blog, I am letting the domain name go. (http://www.ihatenationalexpress.com/) This blog was originally set up to make those who make the decisions aware of the rail service we suffer on the Norwich, Colchester, Ipswich, Chelmsford to London line.

Next March National Express will have their franchise removed. Whether we get a better rail service? More trains? Better ticket pricing? .. time will tell.

Until then happy commuting.

Sunday Misery

2010-06-06T22:16:00.000+01:00

Sunday from Chelmsford no 14 57 cancelled train fault, 15 27 late, packed and the air conditioning had failed, children crying because of the heat. Counting the months down till the end of NXEA.

The End is Nigh!

2010-06-06T20:40:00.002+01:00

It seemed to me that the service has deteriorated of late. There are no longer complaint forms available: one has to ask for them. Do National Express think they will get fewer complaints this way? Is it because of the end of the franchise? It could be a Network Rail problem as 'overhead lines' seem to have caused the problems last week. Wrong kind of sunshine? - Margot

Standing Room Only

2010-06-04T09:56:00.000+01:00

From BBC news: An "urgent reappraisal" of the government's train carriage procurement programme has been ordered by Transport Secretary Philip Hammond.

He said each project would be "rigorously re-assessed" to ensure it offered value for money for taxpayers.
The Department for Transport (DfT) must find £683m in savings.
Meanwhile, a National Audit Office (NAO) report said plans for increasing rail capacity may not provide value for money and should be reviewed.
These fears were expressed because costs, particularly of rail carriages, had risen at the same time as the recession had reduced the DfT projections of passenger demand.
The number of journeys taken on Britain's rail network has almost doubled in the last 10 years.
Some 1,300 new carriages were promised by the Labour government by 2012 to deal with overcrowding.
Passenger predictions By March this year, 526 had already been delivered, but it is thought that only about another 100 will be ready over the next two years.
But the NAO has questioned whether they are actually needed since it says predicted passengers numbers may not be accurate because of the recession.
The transport secretary welcomed the NAO report, which he said "reinforces" his "concerns about Labour's announced new carriage procurement programme".
"Since that announcement was made in 2007 the growth in passenger numbers has not materialised and costs have soared, leaving Labour's plans in tatters," he said.
'Drive costs down' Mr Hammond said the government had inherited a situation in which, according to the NAO, "significantly fewer new trains will be delivered for the money committed than were promised to passengers".
Meanwhile, NAO head Amyas Morse said the DfT had "used a broadly sound framework to develop plans for adding capacity to the rail network" but they had been developed "in a stronger economic climate".
But he went on: "We believe that it needs to implement these plans flexibly in light of current conditions, in order to protect value for money, and to be continually looking to drive down the costs of rail improvement works."(Source BBC)

Colchester Cock Up

2010-06-03T18:53:00.000+01:00

There we were this morning sitting on the 08.03 at Platform 2 Colchester (North) to Liverpool St. ready for departure on time since, the 07.45 had been cancelled and the 08.00 was running 10-13 mins late, both ex-Norwich. The driver informed us that, the 08.00 was shortly arriving earlier than expected and, we would follow it. A fair proportion of passengers, wanting to get to London quicker, dived out of the doors and over to Platform 2. At that moment, with a blast on its horn, the 08.00 went straight through without stopping! Of course, we left before the stranded passengers had a chance to re-trace their steps! As an aside, what happened to those passengers wanting to de-train from the 08.00 at Colchester?

One way ticket?

2010-05-06T18:56:00.000+01:00

'Old-fashioned' National Express weighs up rail commitment
The new chief executive of National Express has said he is "agnostic" over whether the company stays in UK rail and admitted that the group is too "old-fashioned". Read whole story in The Telegraph

Where am I?

2010-04-30T12:53:00.000+01:00

A LEADING campaigner for the blind is calling for train operators to improve communications by making regular announcements.Jill Allen-King, was travelling from Southend to Colchester, via Shenfield, on two National Express East Anglia trains. However, there were no announcements on the trains, and she had to resort to asking a fellow passenger where she was during the journey.
She said: “It was very disorientating not knowing where I was, but luckily, there were other people around to help me.“Legally, they have to provide announcements on all trains at all times.
“I have written to National Express about this before. It is out of order for them not to make announcements.” read the whole story in The Southend Echo. We say: on a train Tuesday heading to London and it had the destination for Frinton-on-Sea and no announcements. The technology is available it just seems unreliable like the trains.

Dream On

2010-04-26T17:52:00.000+01:00

£3.4 billion quid that's what improving the railway network on this clapped out line could be worth to local business. The Norwich in 90 campaign organised by Shaping Norfolk's Future have a raft of sensible improvements to our line which include:
• A ninety-minute journey time between Norwich and London.
• More reliable services, improving upon recent performance.
• New Inter-City style trains including features such as wi-fi.
• More train capacity - but without down-grading the Norwich to London service to commuter-style carriages.
• Station improvements, including better car parking and facilities for waiting passengers.
They also will be campaigning for other improvements including:
• Cleanliness and comfort
• On-board facilities such as wi-fi and catering
• Measures introduced to reduce engineering disruption
• Improvements to rural lines

Reminds me of the way they run railways in the rest of Europe. But just who will come forward and run such a company? And are any of the political parties that interested in our corner of the country? Good luck to them you can find out more by clicking here

Oh and I would like to add ALL Norwich trains stop at Chelmsford the county town of Essex - historically this didn't happen because Chelmsford was the smaller town compared to Colchester but that has all changed. So I don't want to see anymore half-empty Norwich trains wizz by the Chelmsford London bound platform - thanks (And the 90 min journey time is still possible - when I originally traveled in BR days the journey time to Chelmsford was 23 mins)

Travel Latest Sunday 25 April

2010-04-25T10:15:00.001+01:00

Overhead wire problems are causing disruption at Manor Park.
This is causing delays of up to 60 minutes to trains between Shenfield and London Liverpool Street.
Passeners may use London Underground Central Line and local bus services.

Forgive us our trespassers

2010-04-18T08:54:00.000+01:00

We have had a couple of incidents this week of trespassers on the line - could be kids wanting to play with the 30,000 volt cables - who knows? But has anyone else noticed the lack of decent fencing anywhere along the route from Chelmsford to Liverpool Street? - Except at Manor Park cemetery where there is thick steel fencing with points on top. Just wonder if Network Rail are worried about some kind of Zombie invasion from the graveyard?

Email to site

2010-04-15T17:39:00.000+01:00

Excellent news for this evening's rush hour:

"Line problem between London Liverpool Street and Bethnal Green.
Train services on all routes via Bethnal Green are being disrupted due to a problem with line-side equipment between London Liverpool Street and Bethnal Green.
Engineers are working as fast as possible to restore services to normal. Short notice alterations, cancellations and delays of up to 30 minutes can be expected."
This doesn't bode well for anyone trying to get home quickly tonight.
Seems to have been a lot of problems outside Liverpool Street in the last couple of weeks.
anon

Sunday

2010-04-12T10:02:00.000+01:00

Was another magical tour to Billericay which takes about 40 minutes or more in an old bus, trains were only running twice an hour so were packed and taking another 45 - 50 minutes to get into London where half the underground is closed - what it means for the good people of Chelmsford is that we are isolated from London at the weekend unless you can drive and find somewhere to park, I think even come 2012 Network Rail will still be closing the line at weekends.

Pain on the train

2010-04-09T22:39:00.002+01:00

Chaos on Friday evening..

OK - so first serious problems this year.. but the lessons still haven't been learned..

.. Sitting on train at LLS, very late, no announcements.. suddenly "everyone off, find another train, this one isn't going anywhere"..

.. find another train going to Colchester.. no announcements.. hideous overcrowding..

.. it eventually sets off, then terminates at Shenfield. no announcements, it just stops..

.. another train.. it terminates at Witham.. no announcements. no platform announcements, just hundreds of people milling around..

.. another train suddenly appears.. It's going to where I need to get to - Colchester Town. It is totally empty! - and stops between Witham and Kelvedon. Then it moves. Get to Colchester; platforms absolutely packed.

.. then half an hour wait. Finally on to home station.

.. left work in the City at 4.30. Got home at 7.45. Great, isn't it.

No announcements from any drivers; no platform information; no apologies - nothing.

Does anyone know what went wrong this evening?

Claim Pain with NXEA

2010-04-07T19:02:00.001+01:00

National Express now insist that you use their form to claim for delayed journeys. But as many of us know when you ask for a delay repay form they are often not available luckily Julian Self has made the process easier by producing the NXEA form online. You can find out more click here.

On a wider issue the whole claiming process for train services in the UK is in a right old mess. Here is a useful guide issued by Moneywise.co.uk

So, what can you do if you are unhappy with the level of service? If you are delayed, you may be able to get some compensation. Mike Paul, a 36-year-old city worker from Bedfordshire, makes claiming part of his usual routine.

He says: "Commuting is the most stressful part of my day. When I first moved out of London I was struggling to get onto packed trains and then getting in 20 or 30 minutes late.

"I assumed it was a specific problem they were having at the time. It took me a long time to realise I was going to have to learn to live with it."I didn't know I could claim compensation, but I was moaning to a colleague who told me about a website called ihatethameslink.co.uk, which publishes complaints and has a guide to claiming."It still makes me really angry that I spend hours standing on horribly overcrowded trains and have to pay so much for it, but it does make me less angry when I send in my claims."

How to claim

The difficulty is that each train company has its own rules and procedures for making a claim. All the companies have to offer at least 20% back if their services are an hour or more late, but some offer a better deal. There are also rules about how quickly you have to make a claim and the paperwork you have to send in. Check the passenger charter on the website of the operating company before you buy a ticket, so you know what receipts and proof you will need to make a claim.

We say: One of the annoying things if you are traveling on a one-day travelcard is that you sometimes have no choice but to go through the barrier which of course eats your ticket and you have no 'evidence' that you made that journey. It's a sorry shoddy mess that I don't think any new government will have much interest in sorting out.

Nothing to Crow about

2010-04-01T19:48:00.002+01:00

An injunction preventing a crippling national strike was granted to Network Rail.
Judge Mrs Justice Sharp made an interim order against the Rail Maritime and Transport union at a hearing in London's High Court.Earlier, a QC representing Network Rail told her that "unlawful" strike action would cause "immense damage to the economy".

The union, which has called four days of action from next Tuesday, the day after the Easter break, strongly contested the legal move.The judge was giving her reasons for granting the injunction.
Bob Crowe, general secretary of the RMT, said: "This judgment is an attack on the whole trade union movement and twists the anti-union laws even further in favour of the bosses.

No guarantee of refunds on strike days

2010-04-01T08:33:00.000+01:00

If National Express manages to run some sort of service even if it is just one train an hour - forget trying to claim a refund because you and 20,000 other commuters couldn't get on the train - as they have run a 'service' you are not entitled to a refund. If the strikes go ahead next week - plan for misery.

No worry about the strike if you are National Express

2010-03-31T12:47:00.001+01:00

It looks like if the national rail strikes go ahead bringing misery for us poor old commuters there will be no pain only gain for National Express. Their use of Network Rail track includes revenue guarantees should the track become unavailable for reason beyond their control. (Strikes)

So in effect the management can sit in their cosy offices, the drivers happily drinking tea, the trains idle in the depot and the lost revenue will be paid by Network Rail. Meanwhile we are sitting in an almighty queue on the way to Effing Epping to try and get into work on the Central Line.

Am I going mad or is that an unfair situation?

Broken Spring

2010-03-31T12:35:00.000+01:00

Another deeply unpleasant journey from Chelmsford today. 25 minutes waiting freezing on the platform because of line-side equipment failure. A packed train not helped by one carriage out of action. The was a garbled message on the Tannoy about suspension, whether that meant the carriage suspension or it being out of action I am not quite sure. The other eally annoying thing is that information screen on Platform One it's bad enough when it cycles through 2 pages today I think there were five, stuff telling us about the national rail strike, the train list, stuff about Easter engineering, then the bit you want - telling the next train and then finally the security crap grrrr.

Happy Easter from Bob Crowe

2010-03-25T19:22:00.002Z

Rail workers will take strike action on the four days after Easter in a dispute over jobs and working practices.
Talks between Network Rail (NR) and the RMT and TSSA unions at conciliation service Acas failed to reach agreement.
TSSA supervisors and RMT maintenance workers will walk out from 6-9 April, while RMT signal staff will strike from 0600-1000 and 1800-2200 on those days. (Source BBC)

And when you get off the train on to the tube ...

2010-03-25T09:49:00.000Z

Tube bosses have until 5pm today to withdraw plans to axe 800 jobs or face possible industrial action.

The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said it will go ahead with a strike ballot unless London Underground (LU) calls off its redundancy proposals by that time.Thursday March 25th

Did Stephen Byers get National Express off the hook?

2010-03-25T09:07:00.001Z

This from the Independent 23rd March:

National Express won the bidding in 2007 for the franchise to run the East Coast rail line. Last year, they realised that they had overbid, and wanted to buy themselves out of the contract. Stephen Byers claimed that he had secretly brokered a deal with the Transport Secretary, Lord Adonis, under which the company would be severely criticised in public, but on the quiet it would be let off lightly.

To some people's surprise, it emerged that Mr Byers' claim that he had lobbied Lord Adonis was true. This is odd because Mr Byers followed his original boast with a statement in which he effectively called himself a liar and said he had "never" lobbied ministers on behalf of commercial interests. It was Lord Adonis who volunteered the information that Mr Byers had lobbied him in the Commons in June, but insisted that it was "pure fantasy" that this conversation led to National Express eventually being let off the hook. He said he had told Mr Byers that he had "no intention" of treating the company differently.

The facts suggest Lord Adonis was as good as his word. The company's chairman, John Devaney, was prepared to pay between £100m and £150m to escape the East Coast franchise, because he was anxious to hold on to the franchises on the profitable East Anglia and CC lines. Lord Adonis made the company pay slightly less to break the contract – £72m – but it will lose both other franchises in 2011, a harsher penalty all round.

Strike Latest

2010-03-25T09:04:00.002Z

Network Rail is expecting unions to set strike dates today despite continuing peace talks aimed at resolving rows over jobs and working practices.

Negotiations over the firm's plans to cut 1,500 maintenance jobs were held this week at the conciliation service Acas.(Source Independent)

Who is telling the truth?

2010-03-22T17:45:00.002Z

Ex-Transport Secretary Mr Byers had boasted he had come to an arrangement with the current Transport Secretary Lord Adonis over the termination of a rail franchise contract involving National Express .
However, Lord Adonis has denied the allegations, saying: "There is no truth whatsoever in the suggestion that Stephen Byers came to any arrangement with me on any matter relating to National Express." More at SKY NEWS

Christian Wolmar and his views on Byers

2010-03-22T16:14:00.000Z

Stephen Byers was such a weak minister that it is laughable to think he has any influence on the current government. He is yesterday's man; an overpromoted Blair loyalist who made such a long series of gaffes that even his mentor was forced to sack him when his tendency to try to please everyone did the opposite and he was found to be telling porkies.
The collapse of the National Express east coast franchise last year was a complicated business; it took the Department for Transport into uncharted waters, which it navigated rather badly. None of the various players come out of the episode with much credit but Byers's claim that he influenced the deal and saved several hundred million pounds for the company illustrates more that the man lives in a fantasy land in which the prime minister is still his mate Tony than reflecting any reality. Read the whole story in The Guardian

All aboard the sleaze train

2010-03-22T09:09:00.001Z

From The Daily Mail today: Lord Adonis admitted speaking to Mr Byers about a decision involving National Express, which the ex-minister claimed had saved the company hundreds of millions of pounds.

We say: Who will ultimately pay the price for this? Byers - Maybe? Adonis - maybe ? The poor traveling commuters of Essex definitely!

Lord Adonis and the dirty world of politics and National Express

2010-03-21T09:19:00.000Z

From the Daily Mail following recorded allegations made during a Channel Four sting, where they pretended to be a lobby company. Stephen Byers boasted about his involvement in the National Express East Coast Line Franchise:

'Mr Byers' claims suggest that Lord Adonis – previously considered one of the most squeaky-clean members of the Government – was complicit in the alleged lobbying activities.

In a transcript released by the programme’s producers, Mr Byers says that he worked for National Express when the company was in negotiation with the Government over its £1.4billion East Coast rail franchise, which was heavily loss-making.

He says: ‘They approached me, June of last year, and said, “We’ve got a huge problem. We want to get out of the East Coast main line but not pay a huge penalty and we want to keep the other two franchises as long as we can.”

'So between you and I, I then spoke to Andrew Adonis, the Transport Secretary, and said, ‘‘Andrew, look, they’ve got a huge problem. Is there a way out of this?” And then we, we sort of worked together – basically, the way he was comfortable doing it and you have to keep this very confidential yourself.’

Damningly, he goes on: ‘He [Adonis] said we shouldn’t be involved in the detailed negotiation between his civil servants and National Express but we can give them a broad steer.

'So we basically got to a situation where we agreed with Andrew he would publicly be very critical of National Express and talk about, “I’m going to strip you of the franchise” and be very gung-ho.

‘And we said we will live with that and we won’t challenge you in the court, provided you then let us out by December, by the end of the year, and we can keep the other two franchises for a little longer. So, and that’s what we managed to do.’

On July 1, Adonis publicly criticised the company – but it escaped without penalty, and the railway line is now in the hands of the taxpayer.

The Treasury is expected to lose hundreds of millions of pounds when it sells the franchise to a new operator – a loss that would have been suffered by National Express if Adonis had not taken his action.

The day after meeting the fake lobbying firm, Mr Byers emailed the company retracting his claims.

He said: ‘In reality I have not been engaged in lobbying Ministers here in the UK. My statements yesterday would have given the opposite impression and I would like to take this opportunity to withdraw them.’

National Express admits that it held discussions with Mr Byers over the franchise, but said it had not paid him.

It added: ‘Any actions that Mr Byers may or may not have taken following our discussions were entirely of his own choice.’

Company sources suggest that Mr Byers’ initial version of events was ‘pretty accurate’.

Totenham Hale the new Liverpool Street

2010-03-21T08:18:00.000Z

Great news National Express have shaved 10 minutes of the journey time into London - er hang on a minute - seems all is not as it seems. Here is an extract from a piece by Simon Calder in the Independent

'Truth can be elusive, especially in travel. Take the Stansted Express: its timetables have often been compared to works of fiction, but now the creaky old train link to London Liverpool Street has finally been accelerated. "Train to London, 35 minutes," brags the sign at the ticket desk. So how has National Express East Anglia cut 10 minutes from the fastest journey time?

By adopting the low-rent, low-cost airline tactic of disguising reality in the hope of getting a commercial edge. "Don't focus on making life for the traveller better – move the buffers instead," seems to be the company's mission. There are, indeed, trains that will get you to Greater London in 35 minutes, in the shape of Tottenham Hale station, at the outer northern reaches of the Victoria Line. But if you want to get to anywhere near the centre of the capital, the Stansted "Express" will take you 45 minutes.

Simon Calder has a regular travel show on LBC Radio

Next stop - misery

2010-03-19T17:44:00.000Z

Passenger information following RMT announcement possible industrial action from Network Rail
Some Network Rail staff belonging to the RMT trade union have narrowly voted in favour of possible strike action. No dates have been announced for when or if this will take place and negotiations are continuing between Network Rail and the union to find a resolution.

Should any action go ahead, train companies will work closely with Network Rail to run as many trains as possible and keep disruption to a minimum.

Questions and answers
Q: What is happening?
A: There has been a narrow vote in favour of taking strike action which could cause disruption to the rail network. No decision has yet been taken as to whether any strike or other industrial action will go ahead.
Q: I haven't bought my ticket yet and I am planning to travel during the next few weeks. Can I still buy a ticket or make a reservation?
A: Yes. Train companies are selling tickets and accepting reservations as usual.
Q: If I make a booking and my train is then cancelled, can I get a refund?
A: Yes. A full refund can be obtained from where the ticket was bought.
Q: I already have a ticket and want to change my travel plans. Is this possible?
A: Normal conditions for ticket refunds and exchanges apply.

Happy Easter

2010-03-18T19:21:00.000Z

Major engineering works are being carried out over Easter from Chelmsford you have the horrible train to Romford then coach to Newbury Park them dumped there to get on the tube, it adds about 40 to 50 mins to your journey IF you get all the connections right - but it can take up to 2 hours to travel.

Also looming in the distance is a Network Rail strike over plans to change working practices, a meeting takes place tomorrow Friday 18th so watch this space.

Why National Express are Muppets

2010-03-16T10:39:00.000Z

Not my words but from a recent blog by Tory Radio (Yes there really is a Radio Conservative)
"Fresh from being angered about my Council Tax Bill, National Express get my weekend off to a superb start.

Me and Mrs Tory Radio commute down to London each day from Newark at a price of £8,000 each per year. So to pay for £16,000 I guess you have to earn £24,000. Just writing that has made me even grumpier.

As we do it every day we know what platform our train leaves from and wander down to wait for it to be serviced, the reservations put on before it is called for boarding. Only then do we ever get on and staff from National Express are usually happy to let us.

Today Mr jumped up jobsworth approaches my wife and asks what are we doing on the platform. waiting for our train we say, given we have valid tickets to travel. He says we can’t stand on the platform as the train hasn't been announced. I point out that if they didn't want people to walk down the platform they should man the gate and close it, which is what happens at St Pancras. He suggests it’s not the job of National Express, so I point out that as my ticket says “any routes” I can stand on the platform as I may not be even using his franchise for part of my journey.

He then argues that it isn't fair that we are standing next to the train waiting for it to be announced just because we know (as we travel regularly) that its our train. At which point I point out I don’t think £8,000 and a 6% increase is fair. I don’t think the fact that you can only reserve seats for up to four weeks is fair. I don’t think the fact that first class season ticket holders have a reward scheme and standard season ticket holders get nothing is fair.

He then says we can’t stand there because we may get in the way of station staff. I point out we are standing, and waiting in an empty luggage trolley bay, and given another train from a different franchise is boarding on the other side of the platform that argument really doesn’t work does it?" Read more click here

Are you board yet?

2010-03-15T10:08:00.001Z

Does anyone else find the train information at Chelmsford railway station a bit cr*p? As passengers we have to endure those retro-cathode ray screens that have become so blurry I thought I was losing my eyesight the other day. And most annoying of all they change screen to some dull message about engineering works in six weeks time - just at the moment you want to know when your train might be rolling in.

Wouldn't it be great if they got some flat screen technology, had a separate screen for engineering works one for the train about to arrive and another listing the trains and platforms, and these were in the ticket hall and on each platform?

I guess I am thinking of Swiss railways again.

Delays for rush hours

2010-03-10T16:01:00.006Z

Delays caused by a person being hit by a train are affecting most services out of Liverpool Street on our line. 1600 Wednesday. From NXEA website
A person has been hit by a train at Romford.
This is causing delays of up to 45 minutes between London Liverpool Street and Shenfield. These delays are expected to last until approximately 18:00.
To find out how this might affect your journey, please use the real time Journey Planner, or call TrainTracker on 0871 200 49 50.
From the word on the ground - the line is now suspended - you might have to look at alternative ways of getting home tonight.
Latest from NXEA
A person has been hit by a train at Romford.
This is causing delays of up to 45 minutes between London Liverpool Street and Shenfield. These delays are expected to last until approximately 19:30.
Trains are unable to call at Romford except for Metro services travelling out of London and on the Romford to Upminster services.
Buses are replacing trains between Witham and Braintree.

If you ruled the world, well just the railway?

2010-03-09T10:22:00.002Z

It would be interesting to see what and the priority commuters and travelers would want if a dream railway operator took over from NXEA?

I think probably in this order:

Cheaper and simple fare structure.

Reliability of service with train and track run by same operator.

Better trains all with air-conditioning.

Longer trains and as frequent as the infrastructure will allow.

Better information an easy to use central website which included all public transport links on route.

Timetables that had to integrate with the other forms of transport like DLR and buses. (And if there was engineering work some joined-up thinking please)

Information on the train at places like Stratford about the tube service. (Jump of a train and find no Central line grrr)

Better ticketing using either Smart card or text technology

The ability to buy a ticket on a train either from a machine or member of staff.

My Dog's Got No Nose

2010-03-08T19:06:00.002Z

Is it just me or are the NXEA trains getting filthier? Both inside and out there is a new level of grubbiness. I know that some Lord's of the realm would call us the great unwashed and not wish to travel in the same class as us but we don't deserve unwashed trains and filthy carriages littered with rubbish (admittedly from our fellow commuters)

The other day I was traveling on one of the Siemen's air-conditioned trains where there was an overwhelming smell of dog poo. In true British fashion we were all looking surreptitiously at our shoes, all trying to work out where the smell was coming from?

It was only on the way out of the carriage that I noticed underneath a seat someone had let their dog take a number two and it was sitting proudly on the carpet. I know that some low-life probably perpetrated this act but you wonder, as the rest of the train was clean, whether the poor old cleaning staff took one look at it and decided to ignore the offensive material?

Petition to imrpove rail service

2010-03-06T21:06:00.000Z

A campaign to improve train services from Norwich to London is gathering pace with people signing up to an online petition in their hundreds.

The Norwich in 90 campaign is calling for a journey time of an hour and a half between Norwich and the capital, as well as a raft of other improvements, including increased capacity and newer and cleaner trains.

A petition can be signed online and the councils, organisations and businesses behind the campaign are calling for members of the public to add their views and support.

So far almost 1,000 people have signed up online. you can add you signature click here read the whole story here Evening News 24

Oyster and Masabi

2010-03-03T15:21:00.002Z

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson would like to create a zone 7 to help stop the anomalies that some train companies have created when using an Oyster Card.

And what about Masabi? Does that work on NXEA? Is that the future of ticketing on trains. (See YouTube video above)

I think it is a great shame that the technology isn't in use across the whole of the South East Network. Ask yourself how many paper versions of your season ticket do you get through each year? They wear out and if get lost cannot be canceled so they can't be used anymore and I have known NXEA to charge for replacements. A smarter way of buying tickets would make life a lot easier - or am I just being stupid?
Comment:
I'm afraid you're being stupid - no offence intended. Digital cards would be great.. and you're right about the 1950-s style photocards and season tickets.. but come on - many of the trains on our railway are ancient and falling to pieces; they're dirty; unmaintained bar the absolute minimum necessary to keep them safe. There are perhaps rather more urgent things to attend to, especially as the Govt has recently announced that the replacement programme for the old Intercity trains (the ones that are now always short-formed on our route because the stock is rotting) has been scrapped..

Monday

2010-03-01T11:23:00.003Z

The sun is shinning the trains are running on time - am I dreaming? Can it last?

Not floating my boat

2010-02-26T22:40:00.002Z

Yes - another mystery.. what has happened to all the Intercity carriages? I've not had a seat once this year on the 0715 Col-LLS service. Today, ended up standing in the (filthy) toilet. Floating poos for company first thing in the morning, for my near-500 quid a month. Great. Why the hell did I ever leave London, thinking I'd have a better life as a commuter? One of the biggest mistakes of my life.Anon

Seeing red at National Express

2010-02-26T15:01:00.000Z

National Express slumped into the red last year after it was forced to hand over the keys to its loss-making East Coast franchise. The transport group on Thursday reported a pre-tax loss for 2009 of £83.5m, compared to a £110m profit in 2008, with revenues falling 2pc to £2.71bn. Read the whole story in The Telegraph

Equipped to steal cable charge

2010-02-26T12:04:00.000Z

A man has pleaded not guilty to planning to steal copper cables from railways lines near Chelmsford. Simon Scott, 42 of Longwick Laindon was arrested on December 21st last year but failed to turn up for a court appearance in January. Last Friday he admitted to failing to surrender to bail and has elected to stand trial at crown court on charges of going equipped to steal and trespass on the railway. He will appear again before magistrates on March 17th. (Picture BTP permissive rights)

Stratford International - gateway to nowhere

2010-02-25T16:23:00.001Z

Stratford could become the biggest 'white elephant' in London. Nestling to the side of our crappy trainline is a £250 million station, it's where the Eurostar trains pass straight through. The good news is it will be used during the Olympics by the 'javelin' trains that will take international and local visitors from St Pancras to the games and back.

The bad news is that despite in the future a whopping great big shopping centre (Westfield Stratford) acres of parkland - London's biggest bit of greenery and superb facilities for swimming along with the Olympic arena - Eurostar say the interchange between tube and train just aint good enough. So they are not stopping thank you very much. It's p*ssed Westfield off they think the Eurostar stopping is vital to 'the regeneration of east London.' Do you agree with Peter Miller from Westfield does there need to be a much better interchange - what happened to the travelator? (Oh yes it got ditched too much money lol)

0610 Tuesday 23rd

2010-02-23T08:04:00.000Z

I am on the 06.10 train from Norwich to Liverpool Street this morning. One of many Intercity trains short formed yet again. The train was full and standing from Ipswich leading to horrific travelling conditions again.

At the same time, National Express have sent back four MK3 coaches back to storage having never used them! They apparently "don't need them" due to the planned introduction of EMUs on the Norwich route from December 2010.

"Don't need then"?! Is that some sort of joke? NX are therefore implying that it is fine for us to travel in these conditions for almost a whole year whilst they save money by sending back much required additional rolling stock.

Yet another example of this company's determination to save money at every opportunity while their customers continue to be treated like something they scrape off their shoes.

Improvement works

2010-02-21T20:14:00.001Z

I would so love to be able to get to the truth of these "weekend improvement works".. In August last year, NXEA issued a press release, boasting that they were complete, and would herald a much more reliable service. Since then, they have continued - so they clearly were NOT complete. I have received a letter, this week, from Lord Adonis's assistant, claiming that the problem is the signalling, which dates, he says, from 1950, and must be replaced in full.

Personally, I do not believe it is actually 60 years old. Furthermore, Network Rail has now twice refused FOI requests to give me a list of completed and proposed work on this line. I have concluded that the weekend reductions are not about engineering (I have never seen any track crews working when I have driven along the line...), but about saving money. It's got to the stage where friends and relatives from London and elsewhere will simply not consider visiting me at weekends. Does anyone have any idea, how to get the truth??

We say: My stepfather worked on the line during the late 40s early 1950s and he also says that's when the signals were put in. This isn't uncommon, some of the signals on the Hammersmith and City line on the Circle loop as it's now called also date from this time. There has been a history of successive governments not putting enough investment into public transport in the UK Not sure how you save money by closing the train line?

All aboard

2010-02-19T10:17:00.000Z

Olympics minister Tessa Jowell says there are 'lessons to be learned' from the chaotic start of the Vancouver Winter Games. Seems that their public transport system let some of the Athletes down including one lot whose bus broke down and they were left waiting at the roadside.

The 2012 London games will be relying on public transport. As a regular traveler to a from Stratford every day I wonder if we are about to become an international embarrassment with athletes stuck on bits a rusting aging rolling stock held at signals because of congestion outside Manor Park?

First Class Buffer

2010-02-18T16:25:00.001Z

Sir Nicholas Winterton tory MP says that Standard Class passengers are 'different type of people'

He argues that all MPs should be allowed to travel first class on trains. His reasoning? Those in standard class are “a totally different type of people. There’s lots of children, there’s noise, activity… All I can say is I like to have peace and quiet when I travel because, more often than not, I am working and I want to concentrate.”

He also complained that if he couldn't travel First Class he might have to stand. So if you are one of those 'different type of people' is he right should our elected representatives travel First Class?

Olympic (dogs) Breakfast comment

2010-02-18T09:05:00.001Z

I thought a lot about the "Olympic legacy" on the way home tonight - stuck in absolutely hideous conditions after the entire Central Line was suspended for an hour. We were eventually walked off through two trains, with a number of people fainting or having panic attacks. I haven't been able to sit once this year on my morning journey in; Tuesday's journey home suffered barrier/signal problems. This is all supposed to cope with hundreds of thousands of visitors? Personally, I think it'll be a disaster, but at least it might spark some political concern.. Anon. We say: Yes I was in the middle of taking the Northern Line last night when it all kicked off took me thirty minutes to get through the crowds. By the way - why do parents travel with their children during peak time on tube, it's not fit for animals let alone kids?

Olympic (dogs) Breakfast

2010-02-17T22:36:00.001Z

SUFFOLK'S Olympic legacy and its ambition to become Britain's greenest county are being jeopardised by uncertainty over the future number of rail services, it was claimed last night.

National Express East Anglia has been stripped of the franchise in the region and consultations are currently taking place before the Department for Transport awards a successor to take over in 2011.

However, Choose Suffolk - the umbrella organisation for tourism in the county - says it has yet to receive any invitation to comment on the new franchise.

Tourism manager Alex Paul is concerned that the hiatus following the announcement of the franchise change means he cannot negotiate improvements to the East Anglia line which will ensure that the county has a robust rail service to cash in on the Olympic legacy. Read the whole story in EADT24

Lordy Lordy

2010-02-17T10:37:00.000Z

The Conservative Party has called for an inquiry into Lord Adonis' handling of the crisis on the East Coast rail franchise that prompted the Transport Secretary to seize control of the London to Scotland services. Theresa Villiers, shadow transport secretary, questioned whether Lord Adonis had been "upfront" with Parliament after The Daily Telegraph unearthed fresh evidence that showed his department knew of National Express's problems with the franchise as long ago as last April. At that time, Lord Adonis was the rail minister.. Read whole story in The Telegraph

1908 tonight from Liverpool Street

2010-02-16T19:26:00.000Z

Got stuck at Stratford but nobody knew and all the passengers for the 1908 got on the 1918 then the 1908 comes into Liverpool Street and leaves before anyone on the 1918 can get to it. So at 1920 the 1908 empty leaves ahead of a packed 1918 which will be delayed by the half-empty train ahead. Work out your own reasons why this is happening time and time again.

From NXEA website 1500 Tues 16th

2010-02-16T14:54:00.001Z

Because of a person having been hit by a train in the Witham area, journeys may be delayed by up to 25 minutes. This has continued into the rush hour. With delays and cancellations.

Early Starter

2010-02-16T09:19:00.000Z

Dean Finch starts as chief executive of National Express today, in a move that is sooner than expected and signals a new era for the bus and rail group after surviving board splits, takeover battles and a bitter row with the government. Read the whole story in the FT

Sunday Service

2010-02-15T09:41:00.000Z

Had to go into London Sunday, the journey in involved a train to Romford a coach to Newbury Park and tube to Liverpool Street. Going in took about 1 hour 20mins. But going back was a disaster. Left Liverpool Street at 4.15pm sat at Leytonstone for god knows how long whilst the other tube train left on the Epping line. Arrived at Newbury park at 4.50pm jumped on the coach, then we got stuck in sluggish traffic on the A12 and queue at Whalebone Lane as a result missed the 5.20 'connecting' train and had to wait another 30 mins for the next.

So what's Romford station like on a freezing cold Sunday evening? Thought we would grab a coffee - but nothing open went to ticket hall - very nice new and marble - but everything shut despite hundreds of thirsty people around.

Found the waiting room on Plat 4 - what a contrast to the ticket hall. The place was a complete sh*t hole. Firstly it stank - not of pee pee but dirt, which was ingrained up the sides of the lower walls. Four stark florescent lights lit the place. A new electric heater - switched off - so the place was freezing. The seats were attached to the floor by bits of wood.

The door had been damaged and I can only think a 7-year-old with a blindfold on wearing boxing gloves made the repair - it was so shoddy.

More importantly there was no way of hearing the announcements for the trains or getting up-to-date train information. So my question's are: Why didn't the heater work? Why was it so poorly decorated and maintained? Why no train information?

Train came in at 5.48 and got to Chelmsford at 6.12 so the whole journey was just short of 2 hours aghhhhhhhhh. I am going to claim - but do they have to pay if the coach gets caught in traffic???

Oh those Russians

2010-02-13T21:56:00.000Z

I presume the earlier response is another NXEA provocateur!? The weather was not "extreme". I've just come back from a business trip to Russia. It's been between -15 and -30 in all the big cities. The trains run on time; the planes take off and land on time; the public transport runs; people put on warm clothes; life carries on as usual. We had, at one stage, a maximum of 4-6 inches of snow in East Anglia and the whole place was utterly stranded. This is because of our risk-averse culture; the total lack of personal and corporate responsibility for anything; and the dismal state of the region's railways after years of under-investment. Can anyone explain to me, perhaps, why British trains can't travel through snow, when trains in MUCH worse climates have no problem whatsoever?ANON

Cable Theft

2010-02-12T18:15:00.000Z

British Transport Police (BTP) has issued an appeal for information in order to trace a man wanted for suspected cable-theft related offences in Essex.

Simon Paul Scott, 42, originally from the Leeds area, but of no fixed abode, was arrested by police at the Boreham Interchange near Chelmsford on 21 December 2009.

He was questioned and bailed to return to police on 26 January 2010, but failed to appear.

As part of the appeal Network Rail has put up a £1000 reward for anyone who provides information that leads to his arrest.

“Scott, who is originally from Leeds, is wanted for further questioning in connection with cable-theft related offences in the Chelmsford area of Essex," said BTP Chief Inspector Jason Bunyard.

“He is known to frequent a number of towns in the east-Essex area, but we believe that he may well have returned to Leeds after skipping bail.

“Anyone with information as to his whereabouts is asked to contact police as soon as possible."

Information should be passed to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting the BTP reference number B603022010.

Restrictions lifted on OFF PEAK

2010-02-12T17:02:00.000Z

For one week NXEA is lifting travel restrictions that usually apply to early evening.

Normally, on Mondays to Fridays, off-peak return tickets from London Liverpool Street are not vaild for return travel between 4.30pm - 6.30pm.

From Monday to next Friday 19th these restrictions will not apply and off peak tickets will be valid all afternoon and evening. Great so not only will the train be packed as usual next week but it will be full of screaming kids and their parents - just what you need after a day at work.

'Naughty' NXEA

2010-02-11T09:01:00.001Z

NXEA plan to charge for WiFi access even though it has been publicly funded by the East of England Development Agency. So your tax money will pay for it and NXEA will charge you for using - oh except first class passengers who will get the service for free. David Bigg of the Witham and Braintree Rail Users Group describes the money-making scheme as 'naughty considering it has been financed by public money.'

The train now arriving at the end of the platform

2010-02-10T15:39:00.000Z

Have you ever wondered why recently the trains arriving at Chelmsford always stop at the far end of the platform? Well my insider tells me it an 'elf and safety issue' NXEA are worried that their drivers may forget how many carriages are on the train and stop short, open the doors for you to then fall out and break your legs - as half the train is outside the station.

'Oh dear' I said. 'Has this happened then?' 'No not to my knowledge ever.' He replied. The downside of the trains stopping so far away from the two exits (rush hours only folks) at Chelmsford is that we all have to trudge together toward the stairs and end up in a great big congested funnel waiting to go down. (Grrrr)
When the new lot take over, wonder if they will trust the drivers enough to allow them to stop at the old carriage stopping points? Those heady days when you could get in the right carriage at Liverpool St and jump out straight down the stairs home.

Wi Fi High Five

2010-02-10T12:00:00.000Z

REGIONAL train operator National Express East Anglia is to introduce Wi-Fi facilities for all passengers on the East Anglian mainline serving Colchester, Ipswich and Norwich by the end of this year.

The move comes following a grant of £346,000 from the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and Suffolk and Norfolk county councils towards the cost of the scheme.Full details of the agreement will be announced in a ceremony at Norwich station today by National Express East Anglia's managing director, Andrew Chivers, EEDA chairman Richard Ellis and representatives of the two councils. Read the whole story EADT24

Anon comment to site

2010-02-09T12:26:00.000Z

Having commuted using NXEA from Colchester for a number of years I can safely say that performance is probably at it's lowest ever as far as I'm concerned.

In the last year we've had: extended strikes, over-running engineering, many broken down trains, uncountable signal failures, 'extreme' weather and so on.

Colchester, Manningtree, Braintree, Chelmsford etc are not theoretically a long or complicated journey yet time after time NXEA are unable to run a comfortable, timely or reasonable service. Staff are becoming increasingly rude, on train annoucements are getting worse again after an improvement last year and the quality of rolling stock (particularly the 321's) is frankly appalling.

The poor service is now putting such pressure on my professional and personal life (and finances) that I will be seeking employment closer to home as a matter of urgency as the situation is becoming impossible, even if that means moving to another part of the Country.

Uh oh

2010-02-07T18:04:00.000Z

LONDON (Reuters) - National Express will be allowed to re-enter the rail franchise market in two years' time if the Conservative Party wins this year's election, according to the Observer.

This would reverse the Labour government's plan of forcing the company out of the rail market after it had to hand its East Coast rail service back to the government, having run of up large losses on the route, and was ordered to give up its East Anglia rail franchises in March 2011.

A Conservative Party spokesman was quoted saying in the report that the bus and coach operator would have to sit out the next round of franchise awards, but would be allowed to bid for the contracts in 2012 and 2013.

New survey puts NXEA as one of worst performing rail companies

2010-02-06T15:03:00.000Z

Passengers using National Express East Anglia train services are among the least satisfied in the country, according to new figures from the official watchdog. But they are still the best ever recorded by the current rail operator - which is not likely to have its franchise renewed next year.

The Passenger Focus report on satisfaction levels across the country shows that 79 per cent of those using National Express East Anglia trains were overall good or satisfactory. That compares to a national average of 83 per cent - with some companies recording a satisfaction rate well above 90%.

Read the whole story and Andrew Chivers' reaction Evening Star24
Read original survey Passenger Focus

Signal Failure Ingatestone Friday 0800am

2010-02-05T09:28:00.004Z

Affecting journeys and adding 30 min delays to services approx. It's our dear old friend 'Church Lane signals'

1430 Thursday

2010-02-04T14:38:00.001Z

Because of fire alarms sounding at London Liverpool Street earlier, journeys may be delayed by up to 30 minutes.

Taking the 'P'

2010-02-04T12:27:00.004Z

I have been receiving the sum of £10.00 for each 60+ minute delay from Stowmarket to London for a few years now. When submitting my January compensation claim, I was advised that they have reduced this £10.00 to £9.90, due to a "change in policy" in only rounding up to the nearest 10p rather than nearest pound!

I was flabbergasted that this. This takes the definition "penny pinching" to a new, and pathetic extreme. Maybe National Express would not have to resort to embarrassing measure such as this if they tried to adopt a revolutionary new concept - its called "revenue protection"!

Regards

Tom

Comment from Anon

You're lucky: the response to my last refund claim took ELEVEN weeks, and even then merely asked for "further information". NXEA has recently settled a claim for AUGUST - which went to small claims (they settled before the hearing). NXEA's top lawyer asks that I inform him when refunds are not processed; they seem to be acknowledging something.

I received over £600 in 2008; last year, I received about £90 for the entire 12-month period. There appears to be a deliberate policy to operate on the very edge of legality, and to make getting refunds as difficult as possible for the passengers. But what do we expect from a financially and morally bankrupt operation?

We say: 'very edge of legality' is still legal - and National Express have a first obligation to their shareholders - they are a business.

'Morally bankrupt operation' - well compared to our banks and our fiddling politicians (six of which face criminal investigation) NX is a pretty decent company that finds itself caught in an invidious situation manufactured by Lord Adonis who told us he didn't re-negiotate rail franchises when the Freedom of Information Act proved otherwise click here for more.

There are always two sides to the story and you are personally aggrieved by NXEA a situation that we can all sympathise with.

Text Alerts

2010-02-03T15:14:00.001Z

I seem to be getting these between 15 and 30 minutes AFTER the incident. Was on a late running Norwich train last week and got the text alert to say it was running late from Chelmsford as we were approaching Ilford. Who's to blame Orange or NXEA you decide?
Comment: Oh, I can beat a 15 minute delay in receiving a text warning hands down; I received a message from NXEA on Tuesday 2 Feb at 09:04, warning me of a 10-minute delay to the 08:12 from Braintree following departure.

This was 52 minutes _after_ the 08:12, the train I was on, had departed.

Anon comment to site

2010-02-02T09:06:00.001Z

I finally received a reply from Lord Adonis, referring to the chaos that crippled our line for most of December. It is full of the usual platitudes - "we are committed to working with partners to deliver a better service", "we closely monitor operators' performance" etc.. It is indicative though, that there was a chorus of protest and warnings about First Capital Connect's problems throughout the same period, when its performance was significantly *better* that NXEA's.. From this, I conclude that my long-term conclusion - that the east of England is neglected and ignored by central Government - was spot-on.
We say: Maybe when Sir John Betjeman wrote 'Come friendly bombs drop upon Slough, It isn't fit for humans now,' he really wanted to write about Essex but couldn't get anything to rhyme with Essex! Originally our train line was called the 'Cinderella' line because nobody wanted us to come to the ball.

Norfolk MP's are revolting

2010-02-01T12:43:00.000Z

MPs from across Norfolk have joined forces to increase pressure on the government to improve the region's rail services.

Led by Norwich North MP Chloe Smith, all eight of the county's representatives have called on transport secretary Lord Adonis to ensure the new franchise for the Norwich to London service will include vital improvements.

This follows an announcement at the end of last year that National Express East Anglia will have its franchise taken away in 2011. The MPs aim to highlight the golden opportunity for the government now to improve the service through the drafting of the next contract. Read the whole story in EDP24 (Pic Chloe Smith Con MP Norwich North)

Lena's Law

2010-02-01T12:34:00.002Z

Lena Ainscow is 75 years old and had bought a ticket for a train, but caught the one before on the advice of Virgin Trains staff. Having the right ticket but travelling on the wrong train can get you into a deal of trouble. The ticket inspector demanded the full fare - £115 from Lena as she had a valid ticket for the following train but not the one she was travelling on. Crying Lena handed over the money she had scraped together for her grandchildren she was going to visit. This was in 2008

Now last year in 2009 Virgin Trains saw sense and stopped this practice. But NXEA still insist on taking the full fare and a fine from you even though you have made a genuine mistake. Read more in the previous post and click here to find out more. Find the whole story in the Feb edition of Reader's Digest.

Lena's Law

2010-02-01T12:27:00.001Z

What is Lena’s Law?

Well, current rail legislation states that if you walk past an open ticket office and board a train, you then have to purchase the full priced peak ticket from the on-board train manager. Even if you are on an off-peak train, you can only purchase the most unreasonably expensive option. This is to encourage passengers to buy tickets before boarding and dissuade ticket less travel; however these full priced peak tickets can be anything up to THIRTY times as much as other tickets for the same train.

In a nut shell, once the train is in motion and the doors are locked, rail companies use good old fashioned extortion to extract the maximum amount of money from law abiding citizens by not accepting rail cards and ignoring valid excuses.

Fare dodging is of course illegal, and should be correctly punished, but the system as it stands is too inflexible to allow for honest people who boarded the wrong train in error, missed their intended train through circumstances beyond their control or couldn’t buy a ticket at the station. Once you’re on a train, the operators have a license to print money. Or at least relieve you of yours.

Re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic

2010-01-26T19:51:00.002Z

Chris Mole, who is the Transport Minister, joined National Express East Anglia at London Liverpool Street station yesterday to name a Class 321 train. This train is called The Essex Commuter in recognition of the first stage of National Express East Anglia’s service improvement plan, which was introduced last month at the start of the current timetable. Read the whole story here

Comment: Now look here.. something to think about. This announcement all over the papers today on First Capital Connect problems: "Rail commuters who suffered two months of disruption on Thameslink today condemned compensation of two weeks' free travel as “an insult”. First Capital Connect, which relies on drivers to work overtime to run a full service, said annual ticket holders can claim a five per cent discount, equal to two weeks' free travel, or tickets for 10 days; weekly ticket holders five days."

For this period, FCC's performance was 81.6%. For the same period, NXEA's performance was 69.3%, and there's been no normal weekend service for nearly two years.

FCC's customers complain about an OFFER of refunds. They don't realise how lucky they are!
We have to fight tooth and nail to get ours.. and far, far from half the monthly cost..

Nobody wants to go to Wales?

2010-01-26T11:16:00.000Z

I am confused my good friend travelled first class return to Wales yesterday, he returns tomorrow. He booked his ticket in advance - the cost £28 plus a £9 supplement for first class. (He wanted to work and they have a pc charging point in 1st class - just like NXEA - not!)

So if you take off the 1st class travel to Liverpool St which is £37.10 return you get left with erm err minus 10p So does it mean I should buy a return to Wales and just forget about going to Wales - travel first class and save myself 10p???

The wrong ticket

2010-01-25T11:36:00.003Z

The other day I bought the wrong ticket and saved myself £1.45. I don't have a season ticket anymore as I only travel into London a couple of times during the week and try to arrange my work around off peak hours. Thursday I was rushing for the 10.05 got there at nearly 2 mins past. I used the ticket machine and punched in a travelcard add railcard and hit the far left railcard which should be the Network Card. Put my credit card in and then noticed that the ticket was only for £11.55 instead of £13.???

Sitting on the train I also noticed that the ticket looked like any other Travelcard except it had the initials SNR to the left. It took me half a day to realise that meant 'senior' (It's what the railways call old f*ckers who infest the off peak services with their trolley dolly's marked up with Saga Holiday labels - only kidding)

It has occurred to me that either by design or accident the clock on the ticket machine in Chelmsford is incorrect and it cannot be synced to the station clock. Anyway not sure how I would stand if a revenue protection officer were to come along - as who made the mistake - me or the ticket machine with the wrong clock?????
Comments:
you would be responsible,as YOU bought the ticket,but if you have a network card then the discount should be the same-30% but if you have no railcards then you would have to pay back the discount or face further action? Anon
So why was it £1.45 cheaper - yes I have a railcard. Might drop a line to Stephen Hawking only he is capable of understanding rail fares.

Ever and ever, forever and ever you'll be the one (what ever happened to one lol)

2010-01-23T15:36:00.001Z

RAIL services in Essex could be run by the same companies for up to 22 years under new Government plans.

The Government said future contracts on the London to Norwich service, currently run by National Express East Anglia, and London to Southend service being run by c2c, will be at least ten years long.

It was announced as a bid to bring more investment to railway franchises, which usually run for around eight years.

Contracts managed by National Express East Anglia on the Greater Anglia line and c2c on the Essex Thameside line are both due to end in spring 2011.

The Government's Department for Transport is due to put the services out to tender later this year.

Under the new deals, train operators will be encouraged to invest more money in services and rewarded for meeting passenger growth targets.

But any firms which want to pull out of franchises early will also face penalties.

Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said: “Ten-year franchises, with the possibility of longer contracts, should bidders make sensible and affordable proposals, will allow operators to invest and suggest new innovations.

Read the whole story in The Echo

National Rail Crash Thursday 21st Jan

2010-01-21T14:17:00.000Z

Thinking of buying your ticket online? Forget it, National Rail's computer has crashed and none of the 'independent' companies and rail operators can book your ticket at the moment. So if this is the last day you can buy your advance ticket looks like you will be coughing up more cash when the problem is solved.

All the world's a stage

2010-01-20T14:57:00.000Z

Went to the theatre last night which meant the 2300 to Ipswich. This has one of those knackered sorry 'new' 4 carriages from the Peterborough line. I know this because all the advertising is for housing developments in - yes - Peterborough. The upholstery on the train stinks - it appears to be the original BR blue and the carpet (stupid idea carpet and drunk Essex men and women) was worn and threadbare.

As a bit of light relief someone got themselves stuck in the loo and had to be rescued by a fellow traveller. The whole experience - depressing, compared to a trip on Southern Trains the other day - new trains, air con and a helpful announcement about what carriage you were in (handy for the unpleasant surprise at Colchester when you are in the wrong carriage.)

A coach service?

2010-01-20T09:44:00.003Z

Hi,

I have read this site with some interest and sympathy. I live in Colchester and all to regularly have the beginning or end of my working day messed up by NXEA. Couple this to the fact that I don't particularly enjoy the bit inbetween my train from Colchester in the morning, and the one home again, I am considering a change of career direction. To that end, I am curious as to what you, and or your forum members would think of the idea of a direct, luxury coach link between our region and central London?

I am still in the planning stage but am currently thinking that price wise it would be between one third and half the price of a season ticket. Apart from the train there is currently no other way into the city for people doing a 9-5 type job. National Express do run a coach service but it takes nigh on 3 hours and gets you there at half ten. I was thinking of running a service to arrive circa 0800-0830 and leave London around the 1745 mark. This is all parts of the plan that needfurther polishing I accept, but I am keen to hear the views and opinions of the people that would be using the service. If you have any thoughts on the matter or know of any other commuter forums/discussion boards who may be interetsed if I float the idea there as well, I would very much like to hear them.

Carl

Would you use a coach service? The service that ran from Chelmsford by First was ended some years ago. The journey time was often more than 2 hours and although cheaper than the train had few passengers. Drop this site an email (link at top) and we will pass your comments on to Carl.

Comments:
I think it's potentially a good idea too - but it would arguably need to set off earlier, and return from London later, to avoid traffic jams. I have tried driving to and from London; it can take 2-2.5 hrs to/from Colchester - unbearable as a long term idea, and that's without the speed restrictions that coaches run under... I think we all have to accept that things aren't going to improve on the railway. There's no money, political will or commercial interest (would you buy that line!?). I think the big question is whether the east of England can remain commuter territory. Along with many others, I've concluded the only way to remain sane is to move back to London. Anon

17 38 Liverpool St - Colchester

2010-01-20T09:39:00.001Z

(We assume you mean the 1738 Clacton-on-Sea service?)

"Contingencies, contingencies..

540 departure from LLS broke down after about 500 yards tonight - yet another knackered, old, packed train. We sat for half an hour while the driver tried various things to revive it, including making us sit in the dark. Out we eventually piled.. no info, everything in chaos at Stratford (again, this and Christmas shows - this is not a station of international calibre. It has neither the facilities or staff for large amounts of people, and absolutely zero contingency planning).

Everyone back to LLS, we were told. Back we went. Should be 6 mins? Took 25.

Everyone off the train, it terminates here.

Then it doesn't, it's actually leaving in 2 minutes..

So - left work at 5. Back in Colchester at 8.30. Another ruined evening.

I thought my luck had changed - I got to and from work with no problems last week (for first time in months)!!

c2c plea

2010-01-18T22:42:00.000Z

RAIL company c2c should be allowed to renew its contract to run services to London Fenchurch Street when it ends next year, a Southend MP said.

James Duddridge, Tory MP for Southend East andRochford, voiced support for c2c, which is owned by National Express, in the Commons. Read the whole story in TheEcho

Use public transport

2010-01-18T10:14:00.002Z

Mayor Boris Johnson has said this week that athletes, officials and the media should "use public transport during the Olympics rather than rely on official transportation."

It has been suggested by one sports writer that it would be an interesting site to see the likes of Kate Dennison taking her pole on the Northern Line or Goldie Sayers negotiating the lifts at Covent Garden with her bag of javelins.

But Boris says by taking public transport they will "arrive in plenty of time and in peak condition." Now I don't know about you but my arrival at Stratford (today line side equipment failure) could hardly be described as "in peak condition." I can't wait for the worlds athletes to be negotiating whoever owns our line and finding themselves stuck outside Manor Park with signal failure as the games commence in the arena.

Do you think the athletes should be relying on public transport' at the 2012 games?

The 2015 departure from Beaulieu

2010-01-15T11:29:00.002Z

Chelmsford could get a new railway station at Beaulieu Park but the £45 million plan hangs on the building of 4,000 homes. These homes will be targeted at commuters so another 4,000 passengers could be joining you on your trip to work every morning. Fantastic to get another railway station, it would take some of the stress that Chelmsford comes under during rush hours... but at what cost? Network rail Anglia has confirmed that the plan is a 'viable proposition' What do you think???
Here's one comment from The Essex Chronicle:

And we are supposed to be pleased about this are we?
I thought the developers were supposed to build a new railway station about ten years ago when Toytown, sorry, I meant Beaulieu Park was first developed. Only fifteen years late and would anybody like to put money on this actually happening this time.
What's the betting that the developers put up all the housing, private first of course to sell that off at a premium. Followed later by housing assocciation so it doesn't matter then if the private house prices fall through the floor. Then of course will follow, as before, the excuses that they cannot afford to do the railway station.
I hope all the new buyers at Toytown speak to all the present owners that were duped into buying houses on the false promise of a railway station.

Gravy, Chelmsford

commented on 14-Jan-2010 23:57

Fatality

2010-01-14T10:01:00.000Z

Had a few posts about a recent fatality on our line at Diss saying that the driver will suffer most from such an incident, which is true. As a passenger on a train involved in a fatality it is also a pretty unpleasant experience. About four years ago I was travelling home on the weekday 22.32 (disappeared service now) when at Goodmayes a woman jumped out in front of the train. I was in the first carriage behind the driver.

The first we knew about what happened was when the carriage reared up in the air and there was a cracking sound like branches of a tree being snapped, of course seconds later it collectively dawns on everyone in the carriage what has happened and we all sat there bolt upright, nobody saying a word. And it's then you realise that the cracking sound was bones been snapped by the wheels below.

After several minutes the driver announced that there had been an incident and we would be stationary for a while. About thirty minutes passed before the British Transport Police helped by the Essex Police helicopter which was using its light to illuminate the train.

None of us looked out the window, we all stared straight ahead as the BTP worked under the carriage to remove the bits of body. When that was done we were shunted into Goodmayes and left on the platform for another 30 mins before a metro service came along. Nobody spoke and nobody complained that we had been left there.

I stupidly went to work the next day - a mistake. I think that you would need to be in a pretty terrible place in your life to want to jump in front of a train but it still is a very selfish act which causes others a lot of needless grief and upset.

Skip to my loo - from 'Tom' to site

2010-01-12T12:42:00.002Z

This is the sight that greeted passengers on BOTH toilets on the 14.02 Sunday service. Liverpool Street to Witham. Bad enough we had an awful Class 321 unit rather than proper Intercity stock, but to be treated to this when trying to use the onboard toilets (and no running water either) was quite disgusting. Where does my £5,136 season ticket money go?

Anybody want to join me in a "National Express out - NOW" campaign?! (Edited for publication) (Class 321 the most common train on our line about 20 years old)

Comment to site

2010-01-11T22:05:00.000Z

There's been quite an outcry recently over the level of service, with lots of complaints going to MPs, the Department of Transport, business leaders etc. There's also been some highly critical press coverage. The "enough is enough" message must be getting through..? That said, the 0802 departure from Colchester Town this morning was yet another total pi**-up. Owing to a (yet another) fault, it could only go to Colchester, where a replacement train was supposed to take us to Liverpool St. That was then cancelled, so everyone crowded onto the 0815. It ran on time, but was extremely packed and dirty. Still, I'm grateful for small mercies - I've had three normal journeys in a week. Given the record of the past 2-3 months, that's actually unusual

Fatality

2010-01-11T17:32:00.001Z

And then someone fell in front of train: According to my text alert delays are now occurring at Liverpool Street... but only to Norwich trains as the person went under at Diss

A better day

2010-01-11T16:06:00.002Z

NXEA seems to be having a better day, don't want to jinx the rush hour, but today you might get home at a reasonable time. I guess the fact that the snow has mostly melted might be helping.

Near Normal

2010-01-10T20:56:00.000Z

Weather for Monday - dry and cloudy with a few light snow flurries. NXEA response to the weather:

"MONDAY 11 JANUARY
* A near normal Intercity train service is planned to run between Norwich and London Liverpool Street.

PLEASE NOTE: the 06:25 & 06:55 Intercity services from Norwich to London Liverpool Street will not run, but may be reinstated at very short notice..

* Trains between London Liverpool Street and Peterborough / Lowestoft will only run between Ipswich and Peterborough / Lowestoft.

* Stansted Express services between London Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport will be streamlined and will run every 30 minutes throughout the day departing London Liverpool Street at 25 and 55 minutes past each hour, and departing Stansted Airport at 15 and 45 minutes past each hour. All services will call at Tottenham Hale, Harlow Town and Bishops Stortford.

Other short-notice service alterations and cancellations may occur.

Please allow additional time for your journey and take extra care when travelling."

That's it pack your bags and go

2010-01-08T22:32:00.000Z

Beleaguered commuters are leaving Colchester because they cannot bear the nightmare of rail travel to London. Colchester has been ranked as the eighth busiest commuter station in the country with more than one million season ticket uses each year. But the prosperity brought to the town by commuters could be hit because they are getting fed up with the daily journey to London. Read the whole story in the Essex County Standard

Comment to site

2010-01-08T17:18:00.000Z

Answer to the comments about the recent train delays:

"maybe the staff were concentrating on doing their jobs in difficult conditions and assumed that passengers had realised that the whole country was in turmoil due to the snow and that only a fool would think that any train would run to time. " anon

Something for the weekend (and Monday)

2010-01-08T15:43:00.001Z

NXEA advisory
SATURDAY 9 & SUNDAY 10 JANUARY

The planned service advertised will run this weekend with the route improvement work across the East Anglia network.
MONDAY 11 JANUARY
* We will make every effort to run a normal Intercity service between Norwich and London Liverpool Street this morning, but short notice alterations / cancellations should be expected.
PLEASE NOTE: The 06:25 & 06:55 Intercity services from Norwich to London Liverpool Street will not run.
* Trains between London Liverpool Street and Peterborough / Lowestoft will only run between Ipswich and Peterborough / Lowestoft. Passengers are advised to change trains at Ipswich.
* Stansted Express services between London Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport will be streamlined and will run every 30 minutes throughout the day departing London Liverpool Street at 25 and 55 minutes past each hour, and departing Stansted Airport at 15 and 45 minutes past each hour. All services will call at Tottenham Hale, Harlow Town and Bishops Stortford.
Other short-notice service alterations and cancellations may occur.
Please allow additional time for your journey and take extra care when travelling.
We say - we are pleased they are 'making every effort,' be awful to think they just couldn't give a fudge cos the franchise ends next year.

The name's Bond

2010-01-08T10:40:00.004Z

National Express, the troubled bus and train operator, launched a £350 million corporate bond issue yesterday. The group said that it would use the money to repay €270 million (£242 million) of bond debt, which was fast approaching maturity.

It will cost the company £17.5 million to unwind interest rate swaps relating to its existing bonds, but it will have enough spare change from the refinancing to reduce its bank debt to about £270 million. Full story in The Times

Frozen In

2010-01-08T10:15:00.001Z

0927 from Chelmsford today in a lot of trouble at Stratford today - the doors have frozen closed and the driver gave up and went on to Liverpool Street.
Comment on event to site: the driver was probably told that if he couldn't get the doors opened in 10 minutes, then he should take the train to liverpool street where it could be attended to by the station fitter (nxea cut and run policy) but, is this a safe practice? no! what if another incident occured and that train had to be evacuated, how would the passengers get out with the doors jammed shut. a very flawed policy nxea.

Comment to site

2010-01-08T09:07:00.003Z

Many, many passengers are now commenting on the apparent maintenance issues. I travelled home on Monday evening in a pitch dark carriage because the lighting was out. Not even sure that was legal - it was unnerving, but the carriage was still full. Combined with the constant infrastructure problems, and the age of much of the rolling stock, I'm beginning to wonder whether our safety is guaranteed.. anon

From NXEA

2010-01-07T17:35:00.001Z

We have been advised that the adverse weather conditions are likely to continue across many parts of the East Anglia network today, Thursday 7 January, and tomorrow, Friday 8 January. To provide you with the best possible levels of service, National Express East Anglia is planning to operate a revised timetable throughout the day.

FRIDAY 8 JANUARY
* An hourly Intercity train service is running between London Liverpool Street and Norwich departing London Liverpool Street at 30 minutes past each hour, and Norwich at 00 minutes past each hour.

PLEASE NOTE: the 06:25 & 06:55 Intercity services from Norwich to London Liverpool Street will not run. Other Intercity services may be reinstated at short notice.

* Trains between London Liverpool Street and Peterborough / Lowestoft will only run between Ipswich and Peterborough / Lowestoft.

* Stansted Express services between London Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport will be streamlined and will run every 30 minutes throughout the day departing London Liverpool Street at 25 and 55 minutes past each hour, and departing Stansted Airport at 15 and 45 minutes past each hour. All services will call at Tottenham Hale, Harlow Town and Bishops Stortford.

Other short-notice service alterations and cancellations may occur.

Please allow additional time for your journey and take extra care when travelling.

What happened to the 0753 today?

2010-01-07T14:49:00.002Z

This from Nick to site:
'Story about the 07.53 from Chelmsford this morning ( arrived 9.30ish)

First the train was running on reduced power - we were then put on to the slow line so other trains could overtake - Could cope with this. Then we got stuck behind a failed train at Stratford. Later we heard that people were refusing to get off. We then wait ages for a platform at Liv St as our 12 carraige train was too long for the platform ! Oh and then the doors would open a few minutes when we arrived. Don't want too many journeys like that !'

Comment to site

2010-01-07T12:27:00.001Z

I really hate national Express! This morning the train from Cambridge to Livepool Street was delayed by almost 3 hours! What's more, there was no heating on the train. It was so cold!!! This can't be right that we are paying the high price but are getting such a bad service! What should we do to make our voice heard by the train company or the government?
Reply to site: Dear suffering fellow-commuter,

In answer to your question: you can "do" nothing. NXEA is a monopoly acting with total impunity. It loses its franchise at the end of this year. The current government loses power in May. Neither wants to know about our problems or experiences..

Furthermore, most of the incumbent MPs and business leaders have given up.

You can put up with it, or move house. Anon

Comment to site

2010-01-07T12:26:00.001Z

I was coming back from Peterborough to Stowmarket on a Class 170 unit which was delayed by 70 mins at Haughly junction due to a points problem.
Issue was, there was no heating on the train on a bitterly cold night. I asked the guard if the continual heating issues on the Class 170s was due to lack of NX maintenance? She gave me a wry smile and responded:

"I could not possibly comment, but off the record, I completely agree".

There - proof NX are cutting on basic maintenance, whilst charging us over £5,000 for a season ticket. Note from us Class 170 are those smelly diesel trains that come from Peterborough - and as 'she' spoke off the record it's still not proof that NXEA have cut maintenance back. Maybe she was as pi**ed off like you that there was a 70 min delay last night.

Comment to site

2010-01-07T12:16:00.000Z

Two gripes today..

1. When I asked the ticket office clerk at Colchester Town, c. 0730, whether we could turn the heater in the waiting room on, he replied "No, because it probably doesn't work". He then turned away. Great.

2. The 0802 from CT to LLS took 3 hrs precisely. Not one announcement, apology, or warning during the shunting procedure (in violation of NXEA's own rules).

NXEA's staff appear to have lost the gift of speech today.

Comment to site

2010-01-07T10:56:00.000Z

Had a very cold and fruitless wait at Kelvedon this morning. The I gave up when the 0730 was billed as running 60 minutes late. What was galling was several express trains ran past that were clearly not even half full. Why couldn't at least one of the express trains have be resheduled as a stopper and at least tried to get some folk into work? And the car park is still frozen solid!! We say the that a Norwich train has just been terminated (1045am Thursday 7th) at Shenfield so they are not making it into Liverpool Street at the moment.

It's a bit grim

2010-01-07T10:26:00.000Z

With delays between 40 mins to an hour NXEA are not having the best of days - trains are now failing. Some with that age old problem of the doors - which are not heated and get iced up either in the open or closed position. This does not seem to happen on the newer Siemens trains.

The forecast for the next few hours is more heavy snow, if you have commuted in today keep an eye on the weather and trains, use National Rail journey planner to work out the delays, NXEA have given up on their realtime service.

Good luck.

Out of site

2010-01-06T15:16:00.000Z

NXEA website if you wonder why it keeps coming up with a server error, when you get there here is what you are now greeted with:

'National Express has reduced this site to make the real time travel information messages more prominent. This allows us to show the most relevant and up to date information as quickly as possible.

We are currently experiencing heavy traffic on this website and we are working to resolve the issue.'