Are Southern going to lose their franchise?

[Virgo's Haircut]

Only 2, well 1 really.

SouthCentral and Southern. I joined just after Connex were given the boot. So I'm a Go-Ahead only railway worker.

 

[Beach Hut]

Only 2, well 1 really.

SouthCentral and Southern. I joined just after Connex were given the boot. So I'm a Go-Ahead only railway worker.

Just as well as Connex were the anti-Christ of TOC owners, never met such a bunch of bad managers in my life.

 

[Virgo's Haircut]

I met 2 of those predatory ticket inspectors on Saturday a.m. I was in Brighton station chaperoning my eldest son who has autism and is a train nut. He was innocently taking pictures of trains (I always tell him he mustn't take pictures of people - no need really - he is not interested in them!!). Anyway two of FCC 'revenue protection officers' (I think they are called) pounced on him and said words to the effect of "you can't do that 'ere ". I intervened as Tom can have difficulty explaining himself so they said it was for security and anti terrorism reasons. They said I should go and check with the people running the station.

So I went to a guy on the ticket barrier who was in a Southern uniform and started to ask him. I can't remember exactly what he said but it was words to the effect of "I saw what was going on. Take no notice of those 2. Tell your son he can carry on as far as I am concerned".

Bozos.

Southern tell us to allow enthusiasts to photograph trains, as there is no harm in it.

 

[Virgo's Haircut]

So Beachy, you reckon Southern are pretty good to work with? Better than most others?

 

[Albion Rob]

Southern tell us to allow enthusiasts to photograph trains, as there is no harm in it.

I'm guessing there are no planned alterations to Eastbounre - Victoria services....

 

[Beach Hut]

So Beachy, you reckon Southern are pretty good to work with? Better than most others?

The people I work with from Southern are very good to work with and look towards a partnership to make things work.

 

[bigc]

Just as well as Connex were the anti-Christ of TOC owners, never met such a bunch of bad managers in my life.

What was so bad about them? I mean obviously we saw the rubbish service side, but what was bad up top..

 

[Beach Hut]

What was so bad about them? I mean obviously we saw the rubbish service side, but what was bad up top..

Totally anal management structure with no-one in overall charge, no direction, no investment policy and cut backs left right and centre.

And the final insult was those pathetic uniforms the staff were made to wear which made the look like Gendarmes.

 

[Screaming J]

Totally anal management structure with no-one in overall charge, no direction, no investment policy and cut backs left right and centre.

And the final insult was those pathetic uniforms the staff were made to wear which made the look like Gendarmes.

Well, they were French owned, weren't they?? !!

 

[Beach Hut]

Well, they were French owned, weren't they?? !!

So was my company once but we were not that stupid.

 

[bigc]

Totally anal management structure with no-one in overall charge, no direction, no investment policy and cut backs left right and centre.

And the final insult was those pathetic uniforms the staff were made to wear which made the look like Gendarmes.

I remember a train got cancelled by them once due to a flea infestation!

Didn't they come up with the idea of Brighton to Rugby train service?!

 

[Beach Hut]

I remember a train got cancelled by them once due to a flea infestation!

Didn't they come up with the idea of Brighton to Rugby train service?!

Yes so as to get a share of Virgin revenue

 

[beorhthelm]

i read today that the ticket priceings are changing to remove the complexities of Apex, Supersavers, off- peak SuperDupersavers and what not, replaced with simple advnace, peak and off peak. seems we will loose the cheaper advance fares in the process, so not sure its that much benefit to us.

and about Eastbourne, i understood there was a major upgrade of the line due soon that would significantly cut the journey time to London, is that still on?

 

[Beach Hut]

i read today that the ticket priceings are changing to remove the complexities of Apex, Supersavers, off- peak SuperDupersavers and what not, replaced with simple advnace, peak and off peak. seems we will loose the cheaper advance fares in the process, so not sure its that much benefit to us.

Correct and day tickets are simplified from September

 

[bigc]

Yes so as to get a share of Virgin revenue

Went a bit awry though, didn't it?

For all the talk of the experimentation privatisation would bring in, there has been little innovation in that department.

I guess there has just been too much constraints in terms of existing traffic, freight and insufficent transport infrastructure.

A shame really, we could do with some interesting thinking when it comes to routes.

 

[Leekbrookgull]

When i used them in September. Excellent value £5 rtn to Brighton/Hove from H/Heath. Clean,and on time. You need to see some of the trains around here before you grumble.

 

[Beach Hut]

For all the talk of the experimentation privatisation would bring in, there has been little innovation in that department.

Grand Central are up the creek without a paddle as the rolling stock they have leased is sh1te.

It will be interesting to see how Wrexham & Shropshire get on.

 

[bigc]

When i used them in September. Excellent value £5 rtn to Brighton/Hove from H/Heath. Clean,and on time. You need to see some of the trains around here before you grumble.

Is this FCC or Southern you're talking about?

In the latter, I agree. FCC= not so sure.

With Virgo's Haircut saying FCC not going to use London Bridge from Dec08 anymore, I assume that means they are going via Tulse/Herne Hill all the time...

That will be fun for all the commuters up to St Pancras and beyond.

 

[Leekbrookgull]

Beach Hut,just had alook at W & S Railway website,heavens their rolling stock is about 20 years old !!

 

[bigc]

Grand Central are up the creek without a paddle as the rolling stock they have leased is sh1te.

It will be interesting to see how Wrexham & Shropshire get on.

They launched in December didn't they? Didn't GNER spend a few years with court cases stopping them getting off the groud?

What rolling stock they using then?