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Post by moggycat on Feb 11, 2010 9:50:48 GMT
Just wondered how journeys have been today? I am in East Kent where we have had a lot of snow, much worse that a few weeks ago. I did not bother to even try the journey today and have decided to stay home. All local schools closed, motorway impassable, no traffic outside other than 4x4 vehicles, at least 8 inches of snow. However SE website did not imply any major problems other than the odd cancellation. Am hearing comments on John Warnett BBC Radio Kent prog that SE uncommunicative and website does not show true extent of train travel difficulties in East Kent.
Would appreciate any views/experiences.
Also just to say I haven't posted for a while as my work internet doesn't like this site, facebook and such things are now banned and also I think it doesn't like the advertising and tries to block it - so can only post from home which defeats the object - nothing like a good rant after a difficult train journey to work!
As for my commute - these days I have no alternative but to travel on the 'highspeed' and pay the upgrade. It is generally very good but the underground is an irritation and I don't really like Stratford, ticket machines don't usually work, rude staff, bus chugging through building site stop start traffic lights when one needs to get to work quickly, ghastly concrete filthy Stratford station very busy, horrible ancient scruffy East Anglia trains absolutely packed but at least not as bad as the underground trains (I think) Central line - people crammed in like sardines - I couldn't do that.
Also does anyone know if tickets really are valid from Strat - Liv St or are we expected to pay (again)? I have heard conflicting stories.
Why can't we have a 90 minute direct service from Cannon St - Folkestone, leaving at a sensible time, with only 4 stops to Ashford and a decent quality train? Just like we had 5 years ago?
Not really much to ask is it.
This would be quicker than my current 'highspeed' experience.
All the best to everyone.
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busman
Junior Member
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Post by busman on Feb 11, 2010 13:29:00 GMT
Hi Got the first Victoria train out of Rainham this morning running about 15mins late all following services seemed to be running near normal according to the board. Looking at the live running info on SET's web site seems to be a few canceled trains at The moment . Hopefully this will improve for the rush hour tonight.  |
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Post by sibodkent on Feb 11, 2010 16:56:43 GMT
My 8:22 Gravesend to St P high speed service was nearly 20 minutes late, - thanks to a 7 minute delay that caused 'missed slots' that doubled delay again twice.
So much for efficient, high speed trains!
Apparently Eurostar trains were running 30 minutes late too.
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Neil
Junior Member
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Post by Neil on Feb 11, 2010 18:16:34 GMT
I travelled from Ramsgate to Birchington and return today This morning was fine. The 8.40 was delayed for 5 minutes because of a late running St Pancras to Margate service Tonight was different. I got the (very) late running 16.07 and the one after was cancelled To a layman who knows little about train running conditions this morning was worse weather wise than the afternoon but the trains were the other way round!! Not sure why that is  |
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Post by sibodkent on Feb 11, 2010 20:43:15 GMT
My 8:22 Gravesend to St P high speed service was nearly 20 minutes late, - thanks to a 7 minute delay that caused 'missed slots' that doubled delay again twice. So much for efficient, high speed trains! Apparently Eurostar trains were running 30 minutes late too. Also trains were heavily delayed out of St Pancras, the drivers and platform staff seemed to have no clue as to what was going on! Platform information boards were all over the place again, not showing any useful information  |
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Post by moggycat on Feb 12, 2010 10:11:16 GMT
Well today I am at home again having waited 90 minutes at Folk West. There is/was a broken down train at Folk Central and frozen points on the Lodnon side (other direction seems to be running ok). They were in the process of organising buses to Ashford but said the bus could not get right outside the station due to road conditions. It did not look promising so I headed for home at 9am, most people had already given up by then. Another day's holiday, jsut off to dig out the car.
What is worrying is that StP and high speed service seems to have gone to pot lately with delays, cancellations, short trains, staff not knowing anything, trains starting from Ashford (leaving Dover befhind) etc. Not the smooth efficient service we had during the preview?
Does anyone else think so?
Have a good weekend all.
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Post by heofgreatwisdom on Feb 12, 2010 13:12:53 GMT
As usual the lack of any information on the SET website is very apparent. The early report on the Eurostar debacle in the Tunnel at Christmas is also very scathing about the lack of information for travellers, especially at St Pancras. The report mentions that in a time of delay, the first place that most people turn for information is the website and that information just does not exist. This is not a new phenomena. It has been thus for many years and one would imagine that in 2010, an age of technological revolution, that it would not be beyond the wit of mankind to let people know what is happening. But then the old "mushroom management" is still very apparent today in many boardrooms across the land.
HOGW
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Post by moggycat on Feb 12, 2010 18:16:45 GMT
Yes, I heard the Eurostar report. Interesting that there was a suggestion that opening that route up to competition would promote better service for customers. Let's hope Southeastern don't apply and get selected!
Also Sarah Boundy, SE's PR lady, was challenged on Radio Kent yesterday (not Warnett but the prog after, about 11am) about lack of info on the website. She said that the website was 'reactive' and they cannot 'predict' what might happen. Problem is, as far as I can see, it's not 'reactive' quickly enough.
Let's hope next week is better.
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Post by genehuntisking on Feb 15, 2010 12:13:19 GMT
Yes, I heard the Eurostar report. Interesting that there was a suggestion that opening that route up to competition would promote better service for customers. Let's hope Southeastern don't apply and get selected! Also Sarah Boundy, SE's PR lady, was challenged on Radio Kent yesterday (not Warnett but the prog after, about 11am) about lack of info on the website. She said that the website was 'reactive' and they cannot 'predict' what might happen. Problem is, as far as I can see, it's not 'reactive' quickly enough. Let's hope next week is better. Two issues here really. This time last year there were two people during the day (i.e. two early turn, two late turn) who had the job of keeping the website updated. Now it is just one early and one late. On Thursday at least that person went sick. Similar with the Customer Information Systems. The amount of staff has been cut from four per shift to two per shift. In addition they are hardly highly motivated having had new contracts and conditions imposed on them for a substantial pay cut. Hence the result of thrashing round madly trying to cut osts all the time. Against that I find it a bit rich for Radio Kent to be sounding off about lack of up to date information. It was after all Radio Kent, not South Eastern, who chose to do away with the direct radio reports from Friars Bridge Court. At the end of last week I believe that there was far more snow fell than was predicted. 3 - 5 cm predicted, while the Dover/Folkestone area actually got 9 - 10 inches (approx 25cm). It makes a difference. At one point I believe all routes out of Dover were shut, with the roads in a similar condition. The Gene Genie |
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