Short sighted MP penalizing commuters today for future benefits

It seems more than a little short sighted that coalition MPs should allow the rail companies, amongst whom South Eastern will be foremost, to raise fairs by 11% to fund future investment in the railways. That means that an unequal burden of funding falls on the poor commuters who need to use the railways over the next 4 years. The funding schedule is set only for the next few years, after which, we're assured by Theresa Villiers - Minister for Railways - that these above inflation increases will be discontinued. Which means all those elderly commuters of the past got away with using the railway without having to pay their fare share for the upkeep. All the future generations of commuters won't have to find extra cash to pay the right amount to keep the trains going. No, the only people who should be penalised, according to the government, are today's hard pressed commuters who are already being squeezed until the pips squeak. Enough's enough. The only argument any of these MPs will understand is deselection at the next election. Whoever you vote for, make sure it's a party that insists the railways are funded correctly and equitably by everyone who has ever used them.

It might not have been great but it was better than most...

The government's simplistic desire to always go for the highest bidder has left Richard Branson bemoaning the short sited nature of train franchises. First group offer 83% customer satisfaction whilst Virgin can boast 91% so it seems that customer satisfaction comes a long way down the list of government priorities. As anyone who regularly uses South Eastern knows, value for money is not a concept familiar to the train companies. Apparently, it will be necessary to keep bleeding the poor old commuters year-on-year with fare rises of around 10%+ to fund 'investment' in the railways. For investment read Directors' bonuses.

Friday Night...and there goes my connection

It hasn't been the best of weeks again for South Eastern. I'm sitting here on Ashford Station having just watched my Connecting fast train pull out of the station as my delayed train from London pulled in. As all the others trains from London are also delayed, that means that my next train will be the delayed 19.37 which won't turn up for another 20 minutes. Still it's heartening to hear that South Eastern "apologises for this late running and the inconvenience caused" repeated endlessly by a tinny woman who shows all the compassion for her delayed passengers as the human South Eastern staff. They couldn't have held back the connection by 30 seconds to let all the customers travelling to Dover to get home on time. That would have meant caring and that's not in SE's report and accounts. Oh well another late night home. Better start filling out my Delay Repay form.

Ride Your Bike To The Station? Forget It.

Not sure if this is a South Eastern or Rail Track problem but highlights the lack of care both organisations show towards their customers. Dover Priory has a row of bike lockers on the platform. When I asked to hire one I was told they were no longer responsible for the lockers as 'they had problems with them'. As my bike is regularly attacked by vandals when left chained to the racks on the platform (obviously has nothing to do with the station staff as they only work there and supervise the environment but aren't actually responsible for anything) I'm unsure as to how I can safely leave my bike at the station when I travel to London. They can't ensure it won't be vandalised and they can't provide a safe environment for it when it's on their property. So basically, don't bother riding your bike to Dover Station if you actually value it. Just another example of the appalling customer service provided by everyone connected to South Eastern.

Cancelled 17.49 from London Bridge

South Eastern up to their usual service last night. Managed to cancel the 17.49 out of London Bridge due to 'a lack of serviceable trains'. If they're not going to invest in sufficient rolling stock to run the service they advertise then they shouldn't be allowed to continue holding the franchise.

Late Again

Another night on south eastern trains and another 90 minute delay. If anyone knows of a worse a service than the one between London and the east coast that you deserve great pity. Tonight we didn't even have a conductor to tell us what was going on. Just sat there in silence looking at the Kent countryside statically noticing out of the windows. Due to me long commute I only normally get an hour each night with the family. Oh well maybe tomorrow night guys. Thanks south eastern. Another night ruined.