The Commuter

CommuterRevenge

robt wrote: »

So you want a low density train provided on a service which is already over crowded?

Makes sense

Low density is not the word I would use. There is approximately 60 more seats on the whole train.
Personally I would rather sit on the floor that the middle seat, laptop or not.
I am not alone, as even SouthEastern acknowledges.

CommuterRevenge

geordieracer wrote: »

For starters your spelling in the first post was terrible but I'll chalk that down to anger on your behalf because they have cancelled a train that you like getting..

There is already someone you can write too, to complain about the Southeastern services - its London Travel watch, but as one poster said I doubt you will get very far.. You live clsoe enough to london for the HS1 to be of no benefit to you and also would slow the service down - thats why you dont get it.

You mention high density seating being unsuitable - Your wrong. It's more than suitable for its job, which is to transport large amount of people to their destination, if you got the Electrostars that have the other layout with table seating that are in use on the ramsgate to victoria service - you would then get people moaning that they dont get a seat at all. Just because you want to use your laptop doesn't mean it should be at the detriment of others who would like to sit down does it?

Yeh, there's plenty that i believe (as someone who uses the service's also) that they could do better BUT and its a massive BUT(from someone who works for another TOC) They can only have trains a certain length and can only run a certain amount of peak trains so that they get you to your destination safely. Im not sure if you have looked out the window whilst on yoruo commute but theres no land to build extra lines or extend a lot of the stations so longer trains are a long way off.

By all means complain, but I doubt you will get far. A railway is a lot more complicated then you think it is.

It is always good that someone challenges your view of things.
Re my spelling, it was simply a case of not putting my glasses on. Although it is mildly amusing to note your own "typo". But lets move onto the points of discussion.

London Travel Watch does not cover my area, as I live further outside it's remit. I note with interest, that Kent County Council ignored the submission of the Sevenoaks Rail Travellers Association, which does little to inspire the represetation in my area,

HS1 does not travel down my line, I would have to go back down the line a number of stops to get a connection. I would if it was only a couple of stops or a relatively short time.

My issue with the high density seating transcends my use of the laptop, and South Eaterns website, and reply to my comments confirms that they are aware (which is reassuring) that the high density seating is not liked.
It is already stading room only anyway.

The whole point of HST1 is that it will take passengers off the route I am on, which hopefully would have lead to more passengers on HS1-I am pleased they have a long journey- and keeping the same number of trains would lead to more comfort all round.

I am well aware of how complicated the railway is, I indirectly worked for the railway.

The issue is simple, keep the trains as they are, encourage passengers to move to HS1 with reasonable fares (which I think has been achieved) and reduce the over crowding on the existing trains. Everyone is happy. That has not happened. Which is very poor.

CommuterRevenge

BikerEd wrote: »

Sorry, but I really don't have much sympathy with rail commuters.

If you want to sit in a less crowded carriage buy a first class ticket. I for one always travel first class on trains and resent those people from second class who think they can sit in there and pay a small upgrade charge just because the seats are empty. I pay for the extra space, so should you

If you don't like commuting by rail, which has been as bad for the past 25 years to my memory, then you have three choices: Move closer to work, get a job which means you don't need to commute, or find an alternative method of transport such as a motorcycle. I use the latter almost exclusively now and my journey times are a fraction of what they used to be by either car or rail.

I am amazed by your reply. Of course, everyone has choices in life, but some are unpalatable no matter what.
First class to get a seat, when already paying £3,600 a year!
If I were to buy a first class ticket it would cost £5,380, and that is the prices before the January increase.
I don't what you assume I do, but it certainly is not some City Boy on £1000's bonus.
I have a 2 year old child to support. First clas not even remotely an option.
As for choosing a ride a motorbike, I repsect that is your decision and admire your bravery, but I want to see my child's 18th birthday.

I have responsibilities in work which mean the travel time is invaluable, I'd just like to get it done in a degree of comfort.
Although a different job, I did use to drive into central London for a time, and hated every second of it. I respect you for undertaking that. For me it took longer than the train and was very stressful and I had to be 100% alert at all times, I have a much more stressful job now, so that would be a huge risk.
EDIT As an aside I have often tried to pay for a first class upgrade when it is the high density seating, but SE say the Regualtor has put a stop to that.

CommuterRevenge

sarah_elton wrote: »

I'm a commuter too. We're a captive market. Our options are to get the train into London, or to change to a local job. Which we won't do because of the salary premium in the city.

I'm on the National Express East Anglia line so had to endure Bob Crow's round of strikes over the summer.

No-one cares. Had a nice letter from my MP when I complained but nothing happened. Local press don't really care. Hundreds of thousands of peoples' lives disrupted on those days and no-one cared.

Depressing, but the way it seems to be. I don't see it changing I'm afraid. As I said, we've got no choice. We can't vote with our feet and take our custom elsewhere.

I do share your frustration.
I hope there is something that can be done, and hope this forum can at least show some sort of plan to try and do something, however slowly.
All ideas welcome!

CommuterRevenge

Late running engineering works Monday 10th Nov 2009
Was anybody else affected by the over-running engineering works?
Information was pretty good, and hats off to our guard who coped superbly with a particularly aggresive person.
He also challenged that the train we were on, the first to be let through stop at every station despire being chronically over crowded, so that we then procedded quickly once underway.
I was a little less affected, but my boss usually catches the first train in and it took him 3 hours.
What is annoying though, that as a season ticket holder, there is absolutley no recourse until an accumulation over the year has been totted up.