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Thursday, February 09 2012

Southeastern runs Saturday timetable on Tuesday

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Southeastern class 375 train near Folkestone

Ashford station, in the snowby Ruth Banks and Chris Denham

Train company Southeastern has come in for fierce criticism in the light of its decision to run a Saturday service today - Tuesday.

While the company hopes it will be a more robust timetable in the icy conditions, commuters who rely on trains in the normal timetable are furious, especially as peak fares are still being charged despite the reduction in service.

Railway companies are allowed certain 'opt outs' in the punctuality tables, and this icy period is almost certainly going to be one.

A spokesman from the company said that in order to combat overcrowding, the trains that do run will have more carriages. There will also be additional high-speed services and a shuttle service between London Bridge and Cannon Street at peak times.

But one commuter, who travels to Cannon Street from Whitstable, was left working from home as there are no trains to that terminus on Saturdays.

He said: "It illustrates how dependent I am on a service that can be altered or cancelled on a whim, or what looks like one. And it also shows up this confusion as to whether it's a public service or for profit.

"Having said that, what worked quite well last night, after all my Cannon Street trains were cancelled I was able to catch the slow train to Gillingham and then the High Speed train home."

Another said: "If they insist on running a Saturday service then at least have the courtesy to charge us as such, rather than still charging peak fares."

Audio: Southeastern's Sarah Boundy talks to reporter Ruth Banks

A spokesperson for Southeastern said: "Today is classed as a normal working day - whether someone travels peak or off peak is determined by the time of day and also by the day itself.

"Peak and off peak isn't something Southeastern decides - it's something that's common to all UK rail fares. So if passengers are travelling in the morning peak they'll be paying peak fares.

"A Saturday service has fewer trains than a usual weekday service, but where we can we are running longer trains and today has been a better service overall than the last few days.

"Over the last few days our passengers know that the service into London hasn't been very good - this is because in parts of Kent and East Sussex there has been ice on the conductor rail which has caused a problem for our trains."

What do you think? Leave your comments below.

Monday, December 21 2009

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Comments (91)

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  • Sarah wrote:

    useless "fast" trains GRRRR

    The fast train from canterbury costs approx £5.5k. (I have had to buy a travelcard becuase it drops me off at the wrong end of london - I really need victoria!) So far this week none of my trains have been on time and I have been delayed up to an hour most days, having to switch at ashford and wait to see whether its better to wait for a fast, or chance the slow train. I paid the extra to not only be transported to london, but to get there on time and within an hour - if this does not happen, then why have I been charged so much!!!?

    Facilities at canterbury are also dire, the waiting room has a grand total of 3 chairs in it, there's usually only 1 ticket office open, but 5-6 staff checking tickets on the gate! There are also about 5 car parking spaces, so most days I am forced to park in the council long-stay which costs £7 a day!

    For some reason no one seemed to think about having WiFi on these trains - my 5 year old could have told you that was a MUST.

    Southeastern are a complete joke.



    04 Feb 2010 7:54 AM

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  • Claire wrote:

    Sorry boss, I'm late again!!

    I am at my wits end with SET. I use the Strood - Paddock Wood - Cannon Street service (well, I try to!). I have been late for work every day for weeks because the first train is late to get to Maidstone and therefore I miss the connection at Paddock Wood. Since the new timetable as come into effect I have had nothing but problems and delays and frustration. Who was the genius who thought it up?

    When I complain to a guard or ticket collector, thier general response is "I know, I know". So why isnt anything being done about it!!??

    I dont understand why SET can get away with providing such a terrible service and charge so much for it? Why are the trains in such poor condition? Where is our money going?

    20 Jan 2010 2:02 PM

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  • Andy Smith wrote:

    No trains..or maybe...or not!

    Imagine the scene...its 7am at Albany Park Station. A few cm's of snow if that. Trains are running to Edinburgh, Glasgow and beyond. Planes are taking off and the buses are running. Now switch to Albany Park station a mere 15 miles from London. Two trains are scheduled to arrive in London before 9am. (2 we are blessed - fortunately most people dont start work till 3 in the afternoon!) However, after waiting for an hour nothing then a member of staff shouts no trians or there might be but he dosn't know when! I love Southeastern!

    07 Jan 2010 8:50 PM

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  • James Willis Dartford wrote:

    The Railway a Public Service

    Privatisation in my Opinion leads to many of these problems here.

    Railways are a public service that should not be run for profit.If there very little chance of competition why privatise something ?
    This privatisation is a Con and affects us all.

    Join campaign and help make this a proper answerable public service run for passengers not the Coffers of SE trains share holders and directors.
    You can .....
    Join a local rail pressure group .
    such as our Facebook campaign site Greenhithe and Stone rail users or sign the petition.
    http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/northkentcommuters

    By the Way Andreas you are an insult to Rail enthusiast's. (that's real bad). How can you advocate a Privatised railway grrrr.

    07 Jan 2010 6:58 PM

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  • Dangermash wrote:

    London Victoria to Rainham....6 hours!

    What a joy it was tonight on Southeastern's Saturday service. No "fast to Chatham" trains from Victoria, so I had to catch the stopping service. the train took six hours to get to Rainham! It left around 18:10 and got in just after midnight.

    I guess we must have waited at Gillingham for 4-4.5 hours. I would have walked the final leg if I'd known how long I'd have to eait, but we kept getting messages telling us we'd soon be moving.

    I think it was at 21:30 that we were told we'd be moving in "within 15-20 minutes" (isn't that the same as within 20 minutes?) at 21:30. Admittedly, we did have to move to a differentv train after 60 minutes, but there was still another 90 minute wait after that.

    And at about 23:00 the driver advised us to all "seek our own ways home". Just as I was about to exit the platform, the Gillingham staff announced that the rain was about to leave! Comical scenes ensued, with people on the platform trying to get back on, thinking the train was about to leave and people on the train wanting to get off, thinking it would never move.

    Still, I felt sorry for the driver and the train manager - they were just kept in the dark about everything and were left helpless. Something's very rotten in the state of Denmark.

    07 Jan 2010 1:44 AM

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  • Jonathan - One of many disgruntled commuters wrote:

    South Eastern Trains (SET) - What a farce!!

    The level of service they offer beggars belief.It is utterly disgusting that they still maintain this downward trend which existed for the whole of December and through the Christmas and New Year period.

    Offering a Saturday service through the New year period, despite the fact that they are normal working days, and I and others still had to get to work.

    They have the audacity to pre-empt any bad weather, and again cancel all the direct cannon street services for the rest of the week, despite the fact that we have had less than an inch of snow through most of the Kent area East of Maidstone, which is where this service runs.

    Today, I have had to endure the hard uncomfortable seats of the Hi Speed (I have a back problem), then at St Pancras, I had to wait for 5 tube trains before I could get on one, and the overcrowding was so bad that they were asking people to seek alternative routes. i then had to walk from Moorgate.

    Last night, the train was 40mins late and I had to cram on a train packed like a tube train. I have had to stand on numerous occasions of late, and this would be completely unnecessary if they ran the service which we pay for.

    I bought my annual rail ticket on the basis that they provide a direct service Mon-Fri from Chatham to Cannon Street, but over the past 5 weeks they seem incapable of providing that service.

    They show nothing but complete disregard for passengers, and a never-ending stream of excuses. I pay SET for my ticket, and hold SET responsible for the service, and I do not accept things are 'beyond our control'.

    Issues over Network Rail signalling, stock, staff, iced-up lines etc are SET issues, and things that they should resolve.

    I am now keeping a daily diary of my journeys, and will email SET and whomever else I feel appropriate on a weekly basis until they start providing an acceptable service.

    The cynic in me wonders if they are trying to make people use the HS1 in the hope that they will use it regularly!

    I do not understand who they thought would ever use that service. There are few businesses in the Kings Cross area, and why would anyone in the city pay the extra c.£800 for the ticket, and £100s more for the tube?!...the same applies for the Victoria service, yet they cut services, and cause nothing but misery!

    I would like a refund (or substantial part thereof) for December.




    06 Jan 2010 12:48 PM

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  • Adrian wrote:

    Southeastern Cynical Game Plan

    So now they anticipate a Saturday service before it even starts to snow: brilliant. Surprise surprise, it's the only way they attempt to run a service because there are now too many trains running at peak times since the introduction of the White Elephant, or HS1. I've been commuting to Cannon St from Chatham for 25 years+, and finally, what we expected all along is coming true: SET are hell bent on emasculating the Cannon St service to such an extent that we will be forced to use the HS1, despite the fact that it goes nowhere near where anyone wants to work. Daily disruptions and cancellations will become the norm (has anyone had an on-time journey to or from Cannon St since 13 Dec?), and fewer and fewer Cannon St trains will be timetabled over the next couple of years - the current snow is simply a convenient excuse for SET to "prove" that Cannon St trains are no longer needed, because we can all use the HS1s (isn't it funny how HS1 can run with no problems during "adverse weather"?), and implement a game plan that SET have had pending ever since the HS1 folly was dreamed up. These jokers have no concept that their sole funtion should be to run trains where there is demand: rather than wasting the millions on headline-grabbing HS1, we needed more, not fewer, or no Cannon St trains. Total incompetency from SET from start to finish, and senior management should be made to pay with their jobs (they won't of course), but the end result is that commuting to the City from the Medway towns and beyond will no longer be a viable option as the Cannon St trains fall away in the next five years (don't believe me? Well, it's already started: no 1932 to Faversham in the evening, and no stopping trains in the morning, fewer carriages on the 0728 from Chatham etc etc since 13 Dec). And we pay £3,000+ pa to have our intelligence insulted like this.

    05 Jan 2010 10:32 PM

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  • Martin Fettes-Neame wrote:

    Theft from South Eastern train

    Even more misery on south eastern trains. My daughter has just arrived from London having had her bag stolen during the journey whilst she dozed off. Fortunately BT police were on board but they could offer nothing but sympathy, telling her "it happens all the time on the service". WHY did the train company not inform passengers on the train that thieves operate on the train and to be aware as they do at airports. There were no signs or information anywhere. Has anyone else had the same experience. What is South Eastern trains or the British transport Police doing about it? Why is someone being pro-active? Are they waiting for someone to be mugged or more seriously injured protecting their possessions.

    05 Jan 2010 9:37 PM

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  • Sarah wrote:

    South Eastern Trains

    Yet more misery from South Eastern... It's Tuesday 5 Jan in the evening as I write this, there hasn't been a sniff of snow yet but this is all that's on the South Eastern railways website (www.southeasternrailways.co.uk). I quote 'Revised timetable from Wednesday 6 January 2010
    Freezing temperatures, snow and ice have been forecast over the next few days

    To ensure we’re able to run the best service possible in these weather conditions a revised Metro and Mainline timetable will be in place from Wednesday 6 January 2010

    Please note this means a limited number of services will arrive in London before 9am

    High Speed services are expected to run as per the normal timetable.

    All Southeastern ticket holders can use High Speed services at no extra cost and tickets will be accepted on London Underground on reasonable routes

    The revised timetable will be loaded into National Rail Enquiries overnight

    '

    Disgusting. I can't believe we have to pay for this bunch of jokers. What about those of us who don't live anywhere near their precious high speed rail link hmmm? Can't use it, but still have to pay for the damn thing.

    05 Jan 2010 5:59 PM

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  • Eve Car wrote:

    3 days cancellation and No compensation!

    I spoke to customer service at Tonbridge regarding a compensation for 3 days of trains cancellation which I had to take as Holidays for this year .

    Here is the reason the trains were cancelled.

    18th December No trains at all because of the Snow …
    21St December All trains was cancelled due to a Horse on the line .. Try to explain that one to your boss…
    23rd December Again no Trains due to weather but train was running from London to Ashford ?

    Now the reason I was giving for not getting a compensation is because I am a season ticket..



    We paid for 280 days per year but only take the train 5 days a week 260 days per year minus holidays and other business , we pay over £ 3000 per year and the trains are more crowded due to the new time table and also because they have cut down on trains , I rarely get a seat the evening and the morning but still have to pay for a full ticket , and there is a lots of people in the same situation .
    they advertise the yearly ticket has being great for saving 12 weeks out off 52 but you must know that 9 out of 10 people use the train only 5 days a week which only mean 260 days and most do have at least 20 days holidays and yet you charge for 280
    So when the trains are not running I don’t see why we still have to pay for it , not everyone can work from home..
    They are really taking us for a ride ..

    05 Jan 2010 3:52 PM

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  • John Kerswill wrote:

    And so it goes on!

    The service on the Tunbridge Wells line has been atrociuos over the last week/10 days. Can we now expect little or no service everytime the temperature drops to 2/3c or below? I thought we had de-iceing trains to stop points problems. The weather forecasters have given adequate notice of the cold conditions, I and am sure others have had some Xmas/New Year plans ruined by SouthEastern's desperate service. And they still have the audacity to put fares up on an annual basis!

    01 Jan 2010 1:24 PM

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  • Nick Erlastyk wrote:

    Bad Service?

    Let me start by saying that I'm no fan of SET and have had cause to write to their Customer Care team in the past.
    I commute from Whitstable to London Victoria and, generally speaking, the service isn't that bad, it can, however, be very frustrating when things go wrong, as they sometimes do. The most frustrating bit being the lack of or poor communication, which leaves me with the impression that I / we are being treated with contempt. I sympathise with those who are venting their frustration on here and would urge you all to contact your MP maybe if enough people do complain then something 'might' get done.

    31 Dec 2009 9:31 AM

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  • Neil Francis wrote:

    More to come??

    Let's hope their punctuality and reliability figures drop below the threshold for discounting on renewal as the week before Christams was abysmal. Not just the service but the lack of communication at stations and the websites stating services were running on time, although 10 minutes later when you got there trains were cancelled or delayed by over 30 minutes. I get the train from Chatham to Cannon Street and it never arrives anywhere near time. The service just gets worse and putting up fares wouldn't improve the situation, they'd still just be as incompetent. More cold weather on the way so I'm sure we can expect from of the same from SER

    29 Dec 2009 3:26 PM

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  • Alan wrote:

    Janes Hughes

    My train was still very delayed this morning, despite the weather being fine.

    29 Dec 2009 9:42 AM

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  • Tomas Selleek wrote:

    Clide Livermoore

    Clide. First of all, I have never starred in Magnum PI so could you please show me the courtesy of getting my name right. Secondly, you pay for the service you get. If you want the trains to run like clockwork in all conditions then this will cost you much more than the £400.00 a month you are currently paying. What's not to understand here?

    24 Dec 2009 11:39 AM

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  • Tomas Selleek wrote:

    Clide Livermoore

    Clide. First of all, I have never starred in Magnum PI so could you please show me the courtesy of getting my name right. Secondly, you pay for the service you get. If you want the trains to run like clockwork in all conditions then this will cost you much more than the £400.00 a month you are currently paying. What's not to understand here?

    24 Dec 2009 11:25 AM

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  • Andreas Garcia wrote:

    A quick response to Clive Livermore

    Clive,
    You are still attempting to compare a company running a business (SER) with a Government Funded Railway (Canada). This is where your argument disintegrates.
    I would appreciate if you didn't refer to me as Garcia, my name is Andreas Garcia or Mr. Garcia (actually it is Dr with a few acronyms after it but I won't stand on ceremony).
    Have a very merry christmas and best wishes to the team at Kent Online who provide a first class news service.

    24 Dec 2009 10:03 AM

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  • chris wrote:

    trains from maidstone east

    Please could someone tell me if there wer any trains from Maidstone East to Victoria yesterday between 12 & 2pm?

    24 Dec 2009 9:09 AM

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  • Graham Watson wrote:

    Lessons Learned

    What frustrates me is that the third rail electric system has been around for over a century and in mainstream use for at least 75 years yet time and time again the problems recur. With the introduction of the new rolling stock 5 years ago there was a great opportunity to 'engineer out' these problems. Shame that opportunity was missed.

    23 Dec 2009 10:14 PM

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  • Clyde Livermoore wrote:

    Terrible Service

    Well I turned up at Headcorn and was told that due to drizzle at Ashford the lines were frozen. But was told its OK if we get a load of rain we will be fine. What a joke. The service is a shambles. Drizzle and sub zero temps. My god who would have thought you would get that in winter. Hold the front page. -4 shocker !!!

    I knew it was going to be -4 as I looked at the weather forecast , why cant the people who run the service do the same and get the tracks de-iced. Garcia says what does it matter if Canada trains are OK, Well the point is Garcia with correct management a train service can be run when it gets below freezing and it proves how badly our service is run.

    As for people like Tom Selleck and Carla (obviously doesnt commute) who say lighten up , its the season of goodwill. Yawn. !!! Who cares what time of the year it is. The point is I pay for a service and expect that service.

    Oh and my monthly ticket is going up from £350 by £50. What a great company,

    23 Dec 2009 6:15 PM

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  • Clyde Livermoore wrote:

    Terrible Service

    Well I turned up at Headcorn and was told that due to drizzle at Ashford the lines were frozen. But was told its OK if we get a load of rain we will be fine. What a joke. The service is a shambles and run by idiots. Drizzle and sub zero temps. My god who would have thought you would get that in winter. Hold the front page. -4 shocker !!!

    I knew it was going to be -4 as I looked at the weather forecast , why cant the people who run the service do the same and get the tracks de-iced. Garcia says what does it matter if Canada trains are OK, Well the point is Garcia with correct management a train service can be run when it gets below freezing and it proves how badly our service is run.

    As for people like Tom Selleck and Carla (obviously doesnt commute) who say lighten up , its the season of goodwill. Yawn. !!! Who cares what time of the year it is. The point is I pay for a service and expect that service.

    Oh and my monthly ticket is going up from £350 by £50. What a great company,

    23 Dec 2009 5:52 PM

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  • John B wrote:

    South Eastern are Terrible

    Absolutely awful service normally anyway but really going to pot at the first sign of cold weather. And also that'company spokesman' referred to in the article may want to check his facts as you cannot 'combat overcrowding' by reducing a normal 12 carriage Cannon St train to 4 carriages. How they get away with the service they provide is beyond me!

    23 Dec 2009 4:52 PM

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  • Tomas Selleek wrote:

    Trasin delays - Andreas Garcia

    Surely this is supposed to be a serious discussion about these train delays - something that affects many peoples lives on a daily basis? Whilst I am of the opinion that season tickets would be much more expensive if we paid for a service adequately prepared for the recent extreme weather, there's no reason to bring racism into this which I find personally very disappointing, as Andrea has also said.

    23 Dec 2009 1:36 PM

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  • Tomas Selleek wrote:

    Message to Hannah

    Dear Hannah. Yes, I can read and have read Andreas' posts. I think you may be reading between the lines a little too deeply, he seems clearly frustrated that nobody is reading his mails correctly or listening to what he is saying. Perhaps you are also reading things into his comments that aren't really there? You yourself seem to assume that Andreas is Spanish which is a dangerous and possibly incorrect assumption.

    23 Dec 2009 1:09 PM

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  • Andreas Garcia wrote:

    Can we all calm down, please?

    I do sympathise with the difficult journey s that people have encountered. I simply think that some perspective is required.
    Maybe the moaners and groaners who pepper there posts with petty complaints about a company with a proven track record of train punctuality should explain their grievances to the brave men and women stationed in Afghanistan over the Christmas period. I would also ask that certain individuals refrain from xenophobic comments - we are all part of Europe and the divides should have been removed. Merry Christmas to one and all.

    23 Dec 2009 1:03 PM

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  • Chris wrote:

    Train Delays Andreas Garcia

    With regard to get the CEO of SER to appear on TV I think the only hope of that is people to write to there mp's To added a corrections to one of Andreas posting SER are actually subsidised by the Tax payer, adittionally Network Rail who maintian the tracks is owned by the goverment. So the company does have a duty to serve the public.

    SER under the terms of there franchise have an obligatation under the passenger charter to compensate certain ticket holders when things go worng regarless of the administrative csots. I recall during the last snowy period when they couldnt run a service at all they tried using the "act of god defence" this wasd over ruled by the department of transport.

    23 Dec 2009 12:53 PM

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  • Tomas Selleek wrote:

    Message to Hannah

    Dear Hannah. Yes, I can read and have read Andreas' posts. I think you may be reading between the lines a little too deeply, he seems clearly frustrated that nobody is reading his mails correctly or listening to what he is saying. Perhaps you are also reading things into his comments that aren't really there? You yourself seem to assume that Andreas is Spanish which is a dangerous and possibly incorrect assumption.

    23 Dec 2009 12:42 PM

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  • Hannah wrote:

    Train Delays - Message to Andreas Garcia

    Tomas: I am not sure if you have read all of Andreas' posts but he frequently insinuates that most of SERs passengers are uneducated and illiterate. He also believes that most of the individuals who have responded to this forum are incapable of making a cogent argument and are intellectually inferior.

    Andreas: Of course you read my post - you just can not answer it. And lack of cultural attractions ?! You really are the most arrogant and short sighted person in London today.

    23 Dec 2009 12:19 PM

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  • John wrote:

    Today

    Arrived at the station this morning to see there was no timetable, notices said journeys were being delayed or cancelled due to the weather. I asked when the next London train would arrive and was told there'd be nothing for half an hour, ten minutes later an announcement that the train on platfrom 3 is going to Charring Cross.
    Over to the platform we all go and the train sits there for a further 10 minutes before leaving. During this time, no further announcements are made, while the usual London platform gets busier and busier with people hoping for a London bound train.
    After the 10 minutes the half empty train pulls away, leaving the London bound platform packed with London commuters, all unaware that they could have got onto the train on Platform 3.

    23 Dec 2009 11:29 AM

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  • Andreas Garcia wrote:

    You are all missing the point

    The train services in the UK are run as businesses not as a Taxpayer Funded Service. You are getting what you pay for, Southeastern is not part of some conspiracy to ruin your day.
    The continuing references to Canada and its marvellous train service is bizarre. Who cares how reliable the train service is? The high level of un-employment and lack of cultural attractions begs the question: When would you need to use it?
    Tomas - Thanks for your support, to be honest I didn't read Hannahs post

    23 Dec 2009 10:52 AM

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  • Tomas Selleek wrote:

    Train Delays - Message to Andreas Garcia

    Hannah - I don't think it's necessary to be so rude. Would you rather pay £3k a year for the service we get or £5k a year for a similar service that doessn't have so many difficulties when conditions are adverse? This is a time for peace and goodwill on earth to all men and your Eurostar comment to Andreas (who I do not know and have never met) was entirely inappropriate. You should consider an apology in my view. Tomas.

    23 Dec 2009 10:09 AM

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  • Janie wrote:

    South Eastern are a failure

    Having struggled to work on South
    Eastern 18th, 21st and 22nd Dec with complete closure of Charing Cross station on 22nd in the evening, it occured to me that the DLR has been running well throughout. Also trains in Canada and the US seem to manage OK and keep fares reasonable for passengers. We have the worst, most expensive train service in the world. And I was told by a South Eastern employee who was fed up with my complaints before the snow, that South Eastern are penny pinching, use cheap rolling stock and run fair weather trains.
    There you have it.

    23 Dec 2009 9:34 AM

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  • Deborah H wrote:

    Maidstone East to Victoria

    So, usual train service today but guess what? Trains stuck at Ashford due to frozen points? It wouldnt seem to be rocket science for the train company to deice the tracks to get the rail network operating more efficiently particularly in light of the dreadful service offered in the past couple of days. Its the lack of communication that is more frustrating. The phone lines and website mentions nothing about the frozen points at Ashford - why dont they tell the true story?

    23 Dec 2009 7:13 AM

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  • RM wrote:

    Worst timetable in a lifetime

    The shambles of the Saturday service on a Tuesday is the low point in a depressing month for rail travel from the Kent coast into London. Having commuted into London since the Seventies, the scheduled journey times are now the worst in memory. When I first travelled into Cannon Street, the journey took a handful of minutes over the hour, but now it's unlikely to take much less than an hour and a half. The statistics may read differently for those unable to see through them, but since the introduction of the "Passengers' Charter", there has been a steady rise in the time allocated to get from A to B and an increasing tendency to leave frustrated passengers on platforms whilst delayed trains run fast to make up lost time.

    As has already been stated, when things start to go wrong, information stops. The electronic boards, advice from staff and what actually happens are rarely consistent.

    I for one, wouldn't mind paying more for a decent service, but one gets the feeling that however much fares rise, things are unlikely to improve with the current set up!

    23 Dec 2009 1:33 AM

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  • Sandra Wilcox wrote:

    Saturday service

    Saturday service? Yes it was. Longer trains? Absolutely not! Both my trains to work and home were much shorter than normal. So only 2 charing cross trains an hour and half the usual length. Packed in like sardines!!

    23 Dec 2009 12:24 AM

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  • Sandra Wilcox wrote:

    Saturday service

    Saturday service? Yes it was. Longer trains? Absolutely not! Both my trains to work and home were much shorter than normal. So only 2 charing cross trains an hour and half the usual length. Packed in like sardines!!

    23 Dec 2009 12:22 AM

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  • Phil Brooks wrote:

    NEWS FROM WEST MALLING

    Having just lost our wonderful fast services (along with Bearsted and Maidstone East) into Charing Cross and Cannon Street, I have been completely shocked at the total lack of competence from SET. On Thursday evening last week, we were informed on the local evening news that Kent, on on both road and rail, was prepared for what was about to happen the next day - snow! Having arrived at West malling station at 6AM on Friday morning and giving up at 8.15AM, with not a train in sight and communication so dire, it completely summed up what we have to put up with in this neck of the woods!

    I thought that one day was perhaps forgivable, as on Saturday there were a few trains running....! So a glimmer of hope for Monday morning.

    Monday at 6AM, back at the station, but not a sniff of a train by 7.45AM. Told that everything was cancelled - what an absolute joke.

    When will SET get it, that communication is vital! Why keep 100's of people waiting for a non-existant service, they must know where a 200 tonne train is!

    Heard that the Tornado (steam train) shot through though. How fantastic that the older things actually work but the newer things don't. Probably not too surprising though. Let's look at where the money's gone. I'm thinking wars, the Olympics, the banking system and of course HS1.

    I hear that each HS1 train only tends to carry about 50% passenger capacity max - wonderful.

    Fortunately, managed to miss the scrum of the Saturday service this morning (Tuesday), as on holiday.

    Roll on Christmas, as then the majority of us, have a break from such a rubbish service.

    Chris Mole and Charles Horton you should both be ashamed, of what you have left us with. No fast trains over an outlay of just £637,000 and then a few inches of snow gets in the way of running any service whatsoever.



    22 Dec 2009 11:46 PM

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  • Carla DeWaard wrote:

    Brits aren't happy unless they have something to complain about

    Great run home to Maidstone last night behind Tornado
    Some of you guys should really lighten up, it's Christmas you know.

    22 Dec 2009 10:30 PM

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  • John Jones wrote:

    enhanced service ?

    Yesterday South Eastern announced an "enhanced Saturday service". Today they were showing a "standard Saturday service" on information screens.

    The spokesperson on the audio clip says "today is a normal working day", if only their staff were working normally as well !

    All trains via Elmstead Woods were 4 carriages instead of 8, effectivly meaning service beyond there were cancelled as no-one could board the overcrowded trains. I'm not sure why they had to run shorter trains because of snow and ice.

    Time to seek blood. Anyone know of the best way to complain and get their CEO on TV to explain like Brown from Eurostar ?

    22 Dec 2009 9:24 PM

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  • Robster wrote:

    South Eastern

    To all people who 'think' Southeastern might apologise for their arrogant disgracefull behaviour- Never has so little been done by so many -....sorry...
    you will have to wait.... maybe...
    a thousand years or so....but don't bet on it.... it will be late!

    Happy Christmas ;)

    22 Dec 2009 8:57 PM

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  • Hannah wrote:

    Train Delays - Message to Andreas Garcia

    1) Any data collected is subjective. It will depend on the method of collection, who is collecting it and the reason why it is collected at all. SER have a vested interest to collect data that shows an "improvement" to their service so that statisticians such as Andreas Garcia can preach from their numerical pulpit. What this shows us, sir, is that you have a mathematical mind and not one ounce of common sense.

    2) The real reason for the diminishing levels of service provided by SER are staff shortages. This was publicised on their website today. It seems that SER accept lateness and absenteeism as a legitimate excuse for disrupting an entire rail network. So, Andreas, how does that fit in to your self righteous thinking ? I note you work for a public body - are they also as forgiving when their employees turn up late or not at all ?

    3) The rail network is part of an essential service industry. In short, SER advertises a service and the customer pays. If SER can not provide the service, they should then issue full refunds as well as compensation for their failure. To change the goal posts is simply not acceptable. To run a Saturday service in place of a weekday service is not an acceptable solution and SER should be help accountable.

    4) London experiences "adverse" weather conditions on a regular basis. It snowed earlier this year, there was torrential rain this autumn and the summer can prove to be so hot that services are disrupted. Winter weather conditions are not a surprise in December and the train companies should have contingencies plans in place.

    5) Andreas - I do not know how long you have been in the UK. I wonder if you are comparing transport or the weather with southern Europe. Nevertheless, many commuters spend hours of misery at the hands of incompetent administrators and misguided statisticians such as yourself. You should appreciate the human cost of SER's incompetencies rather than quoting some misleading facts and figures you have accepted as the gospel truth.
    Happy Commuting - I hope you use the Eurostar on your journey home this Christmas

    22 Dec 2009 8:41 PM

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  • BG wrote:

    Short trains is not maximising capacity

    Hayes trains are 4 carriages long only. We were left on the platform this morning at New Beckenham and again this evening at London Bridge. Southeastern is not only running an unjustified restricted timetable but is not even their promise to provide more capacity. The explanation given over the speakers to commuters left on the platform is that they are running a Saturday timetable!

    22 Dec 2009 6:47 PM

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  • Alex Padfield wrote:

    This is total nonsense

    This is total rubbish. The trains were all four carriages long at my station (Grove Park). There were four trains an hour but nobody could get on and people were waiting for over 2 hours. In the normal rush hour the trains are 8 or 10 carriages long so to say they were longer is not true.

    22 Dec 2009 6:14 PM

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  • yvette wrote:

    Andreas Garcia

    ¡Felices Navidades! Andreas

    22 Dec 2009 5:15 PM

    Report Abuse

  • John Cherry wrote:

    South Eastern

    Disgraceful action by South Eastern to abandon the peak period timetable and action should be taken by the Department of Transport to take way their franchise. They are a shambles especially as the new December Timetable for the London-Medway Towns-Ramsgate is one of the worse in the history of the service with services cut, downgraded and longer journey times. Time to get in a Company that does not treat its passengers with utter contempt.

    John Cherry, Chatham.

    22 Dec 2009 5:06 PM

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  • John wrote:

    Andreas Garcia

    As I don't buy a season ticket (you were the one who brought season tickets up) then yes, I would rather pay off peak fares for an off peak service, and no doubt so would many others who were travelling on 'one off' journeys (remember it is Christmas, commuters aren't the only rail users).

    22 Dec 2009 4:27 PM

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  • Jill wrote:

    High Brooms/Tunbridge Wells

    Yesterday I struggled into work. The website said there would be a replacement bus service from High Brooms to Tonbridge but only one an hour - at --.57. I rushed to the station to catch the 6:57. No sign of it. A guy there said he had been waiting since 05:45 and there had been no buses. The staff knew nothing. Eventually a friend gave me a lift to Tonbridge where I caught a train from the Dover line. I left work early, got to Charing Cross and caught the 3pm to Tunbridge Wells. This terminated at Tonbridge and we waited about 20 minutes for a replacement bus. The bus refused to go to High Brooms station because he said the road was too treacherous although buses had been going up and down it successfully since Saturday. The bus dropped passengers for High Brooms on the main road in Southborough. I therefore had to walk about a mile to get to High Brooms station. I was OK, but what if I had been elderly or infirm? This is the first time in over 30 years of commuting that the train company have totally failed to deliver me to my destination. Will we be getting refunds? Compensation? I don't expect so. The service is a joke but unfortunately they have us over a barrel, as we have to get to London for our jobs.

    22 Dec 2009 4:27 PM

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  • Alison Perry wrote:

    What a joke

    Longer trains? What a joke. My trains from Grove Park to London are usually 8 carriages.

    Today, they've all been 4. When I asked someone at Charing Cross why this is, even she admitted it was madness.

    Then she advised me to write to MD of Southeastern, Charles Horton. Which I shall be doing....

    22 Dec 2009 4:17 PM

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  • Andreas Garcia wrote:

    Off home now - see you on the 17.28 (St Pancras)

    Have a good evening

    22 Dec 2009 4:13 PM

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  • John wrote:

    Andreas Garcia

    As I don't buy a season ticket (you were the one who brought season tickets up) then yes, I would rather pay off peak fares for an off peak service, and no doubt so would many others who were travelling on 'one off' journeys (remember it is Christmas, commuters aren't the only rail users).

    22 Dec 2009 4:09 PM

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  • George wrote:

    Saturday Service

    Got to Mottingham station this morning to find it was saturday service. Ok I thought, I can live with that for a day. Five trains came in, all short, overcrowded and my fellow commuters and me were unable to get on the trains...so much for longer trains running, Eventually managed to get on the 6th train, stood all the way to London Bridge. Its ok though Southeastern...I was only hour and half late for work, thankfully I have an understanding boss....he got in two hours late!!

    22 Dec 2009 4:00 PM

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  • Andreas Garcia wrote:

    Dave 'interesting' Sweeney

    Thanks for your input to this discussion.
    I felt that I was being positive and trying to get other passengers to understand the difficulties of running a rail service under these adverse conditions.
    I am keen to get your point of view as I have no doubt it will be an intellectually stimulating & well thought out piece.

    22 Dec 2009 3:52 PM

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  • Ken Newman wrote:

    Buck up Southeastern

    Paul, Congratulations on obtaining my best comment of the day award, fantastic post , have a GREAT Christmas,

    22 Dec 2009 3:51 PM

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  • Chris wrote:

    RE Train comment re Andreas Garcia

    Andreas on your last post you refernce your not a regualr commuter on South Eastern Railways lucky you!!!

    With Regard to your comments you have sourced and analysed data, most commuters have aslo read and analysed this data. Its avalible at most mainline stations. When reviwing any KPI data there are aslo factors contributing to the out come certainly increasimg journey times and employing the “skipping station tactic” have a massive input into to the recent increase of punchuality. In view of the fact your not a regualr commuter I give to you that your ill informed and only see half the story.

    I take the point about the trains sevices in Canda which was orginally raised by Ken, however equally you could agrgu for many months of the years which we have rain and leaves on line. South Eastern Railways are equally ill equiped / inacappble of doing these.

    I really do hope you travel experinces with South eastern remain fruitful and your not subjected to some of the misery that us “serial moaners” have experinced in the past week. Certainly I am sure if hearded onto a over crowded train like animal to slaugher after being kept waiting for two hours in sub zero conditions you will signing you prasies to a member of the customer service team if you can find one.

    22 Dec 2009 3:50 PM

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  • Neil wrote:

    Andreas - Start looking for a new job!

    Andreas if you can be hood-winked into beleiving the propaganda and mis-information published by the rail companies then I suggest that you look for a new job! As other posting have suggested there are many tricks used such as padding out the timetable so that a 50 min journey is timetabled to take an hour!

    Also, I sympathise with those struggling with no service to Cannon St...but Maidstone doesn't have one now any day of the week after the timetable improvements.

    22 Dec 2009 3:48 PM

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  • Tristan wrote:

    SuperSpeed...

    I was fortunate last night that I got the Highspeed from Stratford after figuring out after two seconds that there were no fast trains to anywhere.

    This is a working day for the rest of humanity, it is a Tuesday, the weather is improving and there has not been a flake of snow today in Kent!

    I think SouthEastern should offer everyone who cant use Cannon Street a free HighSpeed from Kings Cross or Stratford. Now that would be a good-will gesture and you never know some may even choose to swap!

    That idea is just too sensible!

    22 Dec 2009 3:37 PM

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  • Dave Sweeney wrote:

    Andreas Garcia

    ......are you for real because you sound like one boring individual to me !

    22 Dec 2009 3:33 PM

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  • Tomas Selleek wrote:

    Train comment re Andreas Garcia

    I have to agree with Mr Garcia, these sure are exceptional weather conditions. Does everyone else on this site not appreciate the extra cost required to handle these exceptional conditions and the impact his would have on their season ticket prices? This is unbelievable!

    22 Dec 2009 3:24 PM

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  • Faith wrote:

    SER

    SER are hopeless when it comes to a little bit of bad weather. On turning up to catch my train yesterday morning, I was told that one had been delayed, one had been cancelled, and one was "stuck" just outside the station. The staff weren't even bothering to sell tickets, and were standing around having conversations (with each I might add, not members of the public). When anyone tried to enquire when the next train was likely to arrive, they simply shrugged and turned their backs.

    22 Dec 2009 3:23 PM

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  • Andreas Garcia wrote:

    Post by John

    John,
    Thanks for your opinion on the refunding of the difference between a weekday fare and a saturday fare.
    The refund amount would be pennies and the cost of that refund would be pounds.
    Wouldn't you rather Southeastern used that money to improve the service. I know already that your answer will be that they should pay you the money - that is why this country is in the mess it is.

    22 Dec 2009 3:21 PM

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  • Damon wrote:

    Were Southeastern bothered?

    The decision to run a Saturday service was taken yesterday despite forecasts that today's weather would be ok. As it turns out, its just like any normal December day with no excuse for delays.

    22 Dec 2009 3:05 PM

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  • Andreas Garcia wrote:

    Train comment re Andreas Garcia

    I'm not a long term user of southeastern trains but my facts & figures are quite easily sourced.
    Research & statistics are part of my job, so I feel able to digest and analyse the statistics made available by the Government and the Railway Companies.
    I consider this preferable to believing the rantings of ill-informed serial moaners.

    22 Dec 2009 3:01 PM

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  • Paul wrote:

    Buck up Southeastern!

    Very much hope Southeastern sort their problems out soon - last thing I want is more people turning to the roads and clogging up my smooth, warm and comfortable journey into work. Rainham to Canary Wharf - less than an hour door to desk. Tried the new fast service last week and despite paying an overpriced fare for a weekly ticket, was back on the road after three days.

    22 Dec 2009 2:59 PM

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  • John wrote:

    Andreas Garcia

    "Most commuters have Season Tickets - how on earth would they be refunded? The administration costs would be prohibitive."

    In the same way as they refund for late running trains. Obvious to all but the less educated.

    22 Dec 2009 2:42 PM

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  • LT wrote:

    SER or lack of

    Dear Mr. Horten,
    So who in your organization decided to run a Saturday Service on a week day and on top of that, Cancel all rush hour trains to Cannon Street.

    This can only be described a complete “Madness” and the person responsible ( The CEO) should be promptly removed.

    South-Eastern’s services during this cold spell can only be categorized as complete incompetence with no thought for their passengers.

    The events at Cannon street last night clearly demonstrate that you are not competent to run a railway.

    I arrived their last night to be greeted with the news that ALL mainline services to Kent were being cancelled. Fortunately the 17.08 to Ramsgate was in and because of the announcements being made and induced panic, the train was “Rammed” with passengers. Upon departure ( 10 minutes late) It went like a hell down the track and arrived at Rochester early. SO what was all the panic for ??”

    As for this Mornings shambles at Whitstable, no trains to Cannon Street, and reduced service and stock to Victoria, leaves me speechless.

    Because of this I was force to take an HS 1 to St Pancras from Faversham. If you were trying to get some free advertisement from encouraging people to use this service out of the current cold spell, think again Sir ! I found it of no benefit and in fact took longer than the preceding stopping service to Victoria.

    Whilst talking about the HS 1, there was no heating on this train, such that we enquired of the Very Nice female Guard, whether we had to wait until after Ebbsfleet for some heating, on the basis that heat was provided by “friction” at 100+ mph.

    Along with the management of the Eurostar, a public enquiry should be held immediately, to ascertain whether the management of both firms should retain their franchises, I think Not !!

    A very disgruntled Commuter

    22 Dec 2009 2:30 PM

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  • Chris wrote:

    Re Compliants

    Andreas if you look at the SER website you can be forgiven for making that assumption however as every seasoned commuter knows they have learnt to work the system. The common tactic on my line if there a delay a Ramsgate getting the train out, they run it fast to Faversham missing a whole number of stations making the time up. Thus upon its arrival at Cannon Street it arrives at it scheduled time and not recorded service.

    With regard to you comment about tannoy announcement, firstly is good manners, secondly any information does allow passengers to make informed decision on weather they need to make alternatives arrangements. It could also help mitigate over crowding for passengers who can’t make alternative arrangements. Like most people replying to this article we certainly don’t want to just live with it. That certainly not attitude which won are two world wars!

    22 Dec 2009 2:28 PM

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  • Ann wrote:

    Train comment re Andreas Garcia

    Hi Andreas
    Would be really interested to know how long you have been commuting to London for? Perhaps you could enlighten us all as you seem to know so much about the service?

    22 Dec 2009 2:25 PM

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  • Andreas Garcia wrote:

    Trains service have improved

    Ken,
    You mention that they cope well in Canada with the snow and ice - that is because it is not exceptional weather in Canada for crying out loud.
    It is exceptional weather in the UK - we haven't had snow like this for 3 years, check with the Met Office if you don't believe me.

    And yes I will be playing with my train set this festive season, I am a keen model railway enthusiast, specializing in 0 Gauge 4-6-2 locomotives.

    22 Dec 2009 2:23 PM

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  • Andreas Garcia wrote:

    Re Re Why the complaints

    James,
    I commute every day from Rainham. I am just irritated that everybody is moaning.
    These people must be perfect individuals and never make a mistake. The train company is genuinely trying to provide the best service that it can - it is not a conspiracy to ruin your day.
    And no, I don't work for southeastern, I am a Hospital Consultant - another area that is criticised by people with little or no idea of anything.

    22 Dec 2009 2:19 PM

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  • Ken Newman wrote:

    Trains service have improved

    Andreas Garcia-Wind up Merchant comes to mind- By adding on extra time to a journey i.e. moving the goal post to score goals and have more time for train journeys is a well known factor that has been introduced into the Railway system over the past few years and ALL are aware of this so your facts do not hold. Exceptional weather GO AND LIVE IN CANADA AND SEE HOW THEY COPE!! Enjoy playing with your train set this festive season

    22 Dec 2009 2:18 PM

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  • BG wrote:

    Why Southeastern can't cope while other companies can

    Southern and South West trains are running a week day timetable today, with less average delays and cancellations than Southeastern reduced timetale.

    If weather conditions are the same across the south east of England why other train companies in greater London are trying hard to run a full timetable and Southeastern is not?

    22 Dec 2009 2:11 PM

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  • Betty wrote:

    Petition

    The webpage tell me htat theres a Petiition. How do I sign it?

    22 Dec 2009 2:09 PM

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  • Beatriz Ghalli wrote:

    Petition

    Signed the petition.
    Keep it up people of Kent.

    22 Dec 2009 1:45 PM

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  • Spanner wrote:

    Saturday service

    From the coast to London: Two hours waiting on Westenhanger station as 2 of the so called saturday services didnt turn up, got blown off the platform by the Highspeed..not stopping for us either. I use the train most saturdays and Im sure there was at least one an hour..thats what the timetable said AND Dehli said via the infocom system ..

    22 Dec 2009 1:45 PM

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  • Andreas Garcia wrote:

    Trains services have improved

    Ken & Chris,
    Do you really believe services have deteriorated over the years?
    Take a look at Southeasterns operating figures and you will see that there trains currently have a 91.7 pct record on punctuality. This is a 6 pct improvement over the last 5 years.
    This isn't hearsay these are cold, hard facts.
    Why does everyone want an apology over the Tannoy - it is not going to magic a train up :D Take a look at the weather, it is exceptional, hence the delays. Live with it.
    Merry Christmas

    22 Dec 2009 1:43 PM

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  • James wrote:

    RE: Why the complaints

    Andreas Garcia, you either work for Southeastern or you've never been on one of their trains.

    22 Dec 2009 1:38 PM

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  • Dave Sweeney wrote:

    Gillingham Railway Station

    This morning, staff were giving confilicting views as to our season tickets being accepted on the Underground as a result of the Saturday service that was running - Shambolic !!!

    22 Dec 2009 1:34 PM

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  • Chris wrote:

    Re Why the Compliants

    With regard to the post about why are people complaining. We are already paying some the highest rail fare in Europe, in Europe the rail companies seem to cope much better with snow with the exception of the Euro Star. Even going back a few years when we had snow and ice the rail companies seem to be able to conditions. Granted there where some delays and cancellations. But at least they tried running a full service rather than just pretending it a Saturday to prop there statistics.

    Last Thursday they left me and hundreds if not thousands of passengers stranded at Victoria for over two hours, it the reason for this might have been beyond there control however not even a word of an apology was uttered over the PA system no information was given. If they had told us initially what was going wrong. We might have been able to arrange taxis or hotel accommodation.

    The cost of a peak time ticket from Sittingbourne to London is more expensive per mile than a business class ticket on BA.

    With regard to the fare increases, they certainly have not been to maintain the existing service. In the last 4 years since the franchise came under private ownership I seen a fare increase of 35%. The journey times have increased, services are more crowded. The only improvement I have seen is painting every Station lamp post lilac!

    22 Dec 2009 1:25 PM

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  • Andreas Garcia wrote:

    Re Service by John

    Charging full fare today (after it has been designated a Saturday Service - appears unfair to the less educated.
    However, people don't just buy tickets on the day. Most commuters have Season Tickets - how on earth would they be refunded? The administration costs would be prohibitive.

    22 Dec 2009 1:24 PM

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  • Ken Newman wrote:

    Re Re Why the complaints

    First I agree with you on the point re the lack of investment by the Governments over the past years, however IF the Rail Companies did not have the funds to invest then why did they not hike up the fares even more over the years to compensate for this?? You state Saturday Service is a service therefore if trains are running in Edinburgh this covers Sittingbourne to Cannon Street I think not, the fact is there were NO trains running from Sittigbourne to Cannon Street therefore I class this as a no service.I do not intend to complain to the Rail Company also I do not consider that adverse weather was a factor relating to the change of service or in my case non service
    Have a Good Christmas.

    22 Dec 2009 1:00 PM

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  • John wrote:

    Service

    If they insist on running a Saturday service then at least have the courtesy to charge us as such, rather than still charging peak fares. They knew yesterday that they were running a Saturday service today so plenty of time to inform the ticket offices (who have already asked management why they're still charging peak fares, according to my local ticket office).

    22 Dec 2009 12:49 PM

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  • Andreas Garcia wrote:

    Re Re Why the complaints

    With reference to Ken Newmans response.
    The fare increases that you have witnessed over the last 60 years have been to maintain the service not to improve it.
    There has been a complete lack of investment over the years by the Government.
    And Saturday Service is a service.
    Trains were/are running.
    So you can complain to the Rail Company but I feel that you are being unfair considering the adverse weather conditions.

    22 Dec 2009 12:34 PM

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  • ken newman wrote:

    Re Why the complaints

    Re Andreas Garcia comments, even IF the Rail Companies doubled the fares they still would not be able to cope with the change in the weather conditions, they have had over 50 years plus increases in fares each year to get it right and as as I am concerned they are no further forward than they were then, I would love the chance to complain about the service today IF they gave me the service I paid for Sittingbourne to Cannon Street , Saturday service equals NO TRAINS therefore no complaints.

    22 Dec 2009 11:44 AM

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  • Martyn wrote:

    What shuttle service

    Was it just me that missed this shuttle service from London Bridge to Cannon Street this morning?

    22 Dec 2009 11:22 AM

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  • Andreas Garcia wrote:

    Why the complaints?

    The train companies are doing the ir utmost to provide a service that represents good value for money. I'm sure that a 100pct efficient service in all weathers could be provided but the price of your season tickets would have to double at least.
    Your choice.
    But the same people complaining about the poor service would then start complaining about the cost of the service.
    The train companies cannot win.

    22 Dec 2009 10:53 AM

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  • Trainspotter wrote:

    Snow

    Mind my ignorance but I am visiting from my third world country. Why do trains in your country stop operating when it snows ????
    You should understand why this occurs, allocate a budget and then provide a solution to prepare for the next winter.

    22 Dec 2009 9:28 AM

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  • BG wrote:

    Actually less carriages on reduced timetable

    The delayed 08:21 to Charing Cross had half the number of carriages than usual; the majority of customers at New Beckenham station couldn't get on the train and were left on the platform.

    22 Dec 2009 9:13 AM

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  • David wrote:

    They really are joking!

    I left on Monday morning after checking the South Eastern web site informing me that there was a full service and my train was running on time. I arrived at the station and stood on a freezing station for 30 minutes. When the train arrived it was packed and short and arrived late.

    Tonight I got the 17.08 from Cannon Street to Rainham and can honestly say in my 20 years of commuting it was one of the worst journeys I have had (and that is saying something).

    Why are they running a shuttle service from London Bridge to Cannon Street? From the Medway towns you can only go to Victoria or pay the extra and go to St Pancras on HS1 woohoo.

    The only reason they are putting on this charade is to stop compensating travelers for a terrible service.

    If you can work from home

    21 Dec 2009 8:49 PM

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  • Chris wrote:

    Its not Saturday

    Like most of South-eastern passengers I don’t have the option to pretend it is a Saturday and still have to work. A Saturday service is no good as there won’t be any Cannon Street services on my line. The additionally High Speed services are about as much use of chocolate tea pot, except South Eastern get the added comfort of generating more revenue putting their passengers through misery.

    I have had already had the pleasure of being stranded last Thursday night for two and half hours a Victoria during this icy period without even a word of an explanation or an apology. By running a Saturday service where few trains are scheduled Southeastern can prop up the punctuality stats saying less trains where delayed or cancelled.
    Can the labour government do something actually worthwhile and get rid of these idiots running our rail services.

    21 Dec 2009 8:28 PM

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  • R Fox wrote:

    No Trains

    It was amazing that Tornado passed East Malling about 2 minutes late this evening when you have not managed to send any trains through here since Thursday PM. Should we bring back steam?

    21 Dec 2009 8:09 PM

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  • Claire wrote:

    Train hell

    Less trains, more carriages, what is going on? Fares up, empty, overpriced high speed trains being beaten down the tracks by steam trains. I have stood from Rainham to Cannon Street this morning and from Victoria (no trains at Cannon Street) to Rainham tonight on SHORT trains. Will believe they are long when I see them!! Not one word of apology from Southeastern on the trains or at the stations. They are putting our fares up and the service is getting worse and worse. I have not been on a train that has got to Cannon Street in the morning at the advertised time for months now.

    21 Dec 2009 7:49 PM

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