Rail chaos as Brighton to London trains severely delayed (From The Argus)

Not bad, got on the 05:10 First Capital Connect and got into London Bridge at 07:30, after being told at Haywards Heath the train would not stop at London Bridge and duly disembarking at East Croydon, only to be told on the platform that the train would call at London Bridge. The whole situation is wholly unacceptable and everyone should be given a refund and compensation. FCC even had the audacity to try and get an inspector on to check tickets, before being told they could do one! They were actually trying to get through the carriage on the already dangerously overcrowded train, disgrace. Someone should be sacked for this. This would not happen in any other civilised country, because it would not be accepted, in France this would have sparked civil unrest.

Our national rail system is one of the worst and most expensive in Europe.
We just pay up and shut up.It wouldnt happen in France/Germany/Italy
/Spain.

Joshiman wrote:
Our national rail system is one of the worst and most expensive in Europe.
We just pay up and shut up.It wouldnt happen in France/Germany/Italy

/Spain.

You would prefer that the system is not maintained?

fredaj wrote:

Joshiman wrote: Our national rail system is one of the worst and most expensive in Europe. We just pay up and shut up.It wouldnt happen in France/Germany/Italy /Spain.

You would prefer that the system is not maintained?

Not on our time, no!!

Alan G Skinner wrote:

fredaj wrote:

Joshiman wrote: Our national rail system is one of the worst and most expensive in Europe. We just pay up and shut up.It wouldnt happen in France/Germany/Italy /Spain.

You would prefer that the system is not maintained?

Not on our time, no!!

so when do they do it then, as the system runs 24/7. works unfortunately do over-run, as other problems may appear during maintenance.

davyboy wrote:

Alan G Skinner wrote:

fredaj wrote:

Joshiman wrote: Our national rail system is one of the worst and most expensive in Europe. We just pay up and shut up.It wouldnt happen in France/Germany/Italy /Spain.

You would prefer that the system is not maintained?

Not on our time, no!!

so when do they do it then, as the system runs 24/7. works unfortunately do over-run, as other problems may appear during maintenance.

Actually thats another reason why our trains are such poor value. They absolutely do not run 24/7! The last train from Brighton to London Bridge is 23:37 and the first is not until 03:50 (which is usually cancelled). Please remember they also schudule engineering works on Saturdays and Sundays for weeks on end. I'm afraid for the money we pay (or the money which is stolen), from us by the train companies, we should have the finest train service in the world, not the worst in a bankrupt Europe. It is a disgrace and is not acceptable, animals on the way to the slaughter house are better treated than commuters.

The start of 2012 has been the worst I have known in 34 years of commuting. There seems to have been a higher than normal amount of engineering failures which suggest that something is wrong in Network Rail's camp. Has someone taken their eye off the ball?

It took me nearly 3 hours to get in from Eastbourne this morning. The 07:14 eventually crawled into London Bridge at 10:08.

As well as getting the price of a ticket back through "Delay Repay" customers should also get compensation comparable to a fine when you don't have a ticket for your journey. It seems fair to me that if we are to get punished for not playing by the rules then so should Southern.

30-50 minutes delays - I waited 40 minutes for a train which then took over 2 hours to get from HHeath to London Bridge. Accurate information is essential but rarely given.

As for FCC - cancelled services; reduced carriages; frequent cancellations - they should not be allowed to run this line

Alan G Skinner wrote:

davyboy wrote:

Alan G Skinner wrote:

fredaj wrote:

Joshiman wrote: Our national rail system is one of the worst and most expensive in Europe. We just pay up and shut up.It wouldnt happen in France/Germany/Italy /Spain.

You would prefer that the system is not maintained?

Not on our time, no!!

so when do they do it then, as the system runs 24/7. works unfortunately do over-run, as other problems may appear during maintenance.

Actually thats another reason why our trains are such poor value. They absolutely do not run 24/7! The last train from Brighton to London Bridge is 23:37 and the first is not until 03:50 (which is usually cancelled). Please remember they also schudule engineering works on Saturdays and Sundays for weeks on end. I'm afraid for the money we pay (or the money which is stolen), from us by the train companies, we should have the finest train service in the world, not the worst in a bankrupt Europe. It is a disgrace and is not acceptable, animals on the way to the slaughter house are better treated than commuters.

as the metro reported a few months ago, out of every pound the rail companies take 48p goes to network rail, 7p to rail companies as profit. surely N.R need to provide the service the train companies are paying for.... thus us passengers getting the service we require.

Alan G Skinner wrote:

davyboy wrote:

Alan G Skinner wrote:

fredaj wrote:

Joshiman wrote: Our national rail system is one of the worst and most expensive in Europe. We just pay up and shut up.It wouldnt happen in France/Germany/Italy /Spain.

You would prefer that the system is not maintained?

Not on our time, no!!

so when do they do it then, as the system runs 24/7. works unfortunately do over-run, as other problems may appear during maintenance.

Actually thats another reason why our trains are such poor value. They absolutely do not run 24/7! The last train from Brighton to London Bridge is 23:37 and the first is not until 03:50 (which is usually cancelled). Please remember they also schudule engineering works on Saturdays and Sundays for weeks on end. I'm afraid for the money we pay (or the money which is stolen), from us by the train companies, we should have the finest train service in the world, not the worst in a bankrupt Europe. It is a disgrace and is not acceptable, animals on the way to the slaughter house are better treated than commuters.

The Europeans weren't stupid enough to privatise their railway systems. I think you have a certain Margaret Thatcher and a certain Mr. Major to blame there mate.

Yet another reason why I'm emigrating.

I'm born and bred in Brighton, and will miss it dreadfully (Brighton is my old 'foam' town where they make good beer...) but the transportation system in this country is a disgrace.

I'm heading off to Canada; fantastic, reliable and cheap transportation over there, even in sub-zero temperatures!

roll on the olympics and lets see how many of our infrastructures realy cope, meanwhile safety has to be the first priority on the rail network no point getting stressed about it, no passengers anger or stress will ever make a train arrive faster, trains are like the weather people only moan and groan it, even when its a pleasant experience

Once again a valid reason to look at the Lewes Uckfield line re-opening maybe?

To be fair, the driver of my FCC train kept us informed all the way regarding the delay due to the overunning engineering work. An additional problem must have occurred in the Balcombe Tunnel area because all went went quiet for 10 minutes or so until he apologised and said that he had been busy taking further instructions from the signaller.

Brumguy wrote:
Once again a valid reason to look at the Lewes Uckfield line re-opening maybe?

Seconded. See BML2 Website for inspiration folks!

The delays are due to overrunning engineering works.

Rooky wrote:
To be fair, the driver of my FCC train kept us informed all the way regarding the delay due to the overunning engineering work. An additional problem must have occurred in the Balcombe Tunnel area because all went went quiet for 10 minutes or so until he apologised and said that he had been busy taking further instructions from the signaller.

You're lucky. My Southern driver didn't even mention the cause of the delay until just as we were pulling into London Bridge station - on a train running nearly 1 hour late. This is however just the kind of pitiful customer service we have come to expect from Southern.

re-nationalise the railways, but be prepared for people moaning about taxes going up to pay for the lack of investment by the private companies. having said that, the lack of shareholders would give more money to invest.

That's it, I'm definitely leaving this country now!!! If I can't get from Wivelsfield to Three Bridges then England can forget it! I've been to France, Spain and Germany and I have never seen a single workman on the roads or trains. I've looked into it and apparently it's because their Government uses magic to make repairs so there is no disruption. Why can't we do that in this country for goodness sakes? I'm fed up of authorities trying to fix stuff that is broken! Why don't they just leave things broken so my life doesn't get affected in any way? It's not too much to ask!

Ever since it closed in 1969 there has been talk of reinstating the rail link between Lewes and Uckfield. But seriously, we do need this alternative route to the Brighton main line. The topography of the route north of Uckfield together with the reopening of the original line at Hamsey nessesitating a reversal at Lewes does not make it a fast route; but it is infinitively better than being forced onto tacky "rail replacement" buses. In the late sixties I travelled to London from Lewes one Sunday when the main line was closed: Three "Thumpers" (Diesel multiple units) forming a 9 coach train running non-stop to East Croydon and on to Victoria.

The Heretic wrote:

Brumguy wrote:
Once again a valid reason to look at the Lewes Uckfield line re-opening maybe?

Seconded. See BML2 Website for inspiration folks!

D@mn right!

Sussex jim wrote:
Ever since it closed in 1969 there has been talk of reinstating the rail link between Lewes and Uckfield. But seriously, we do need this alternative route to the Brighton main line. The topography of the route north of Uckfield together with the reopening of the original line at Hamsey nessesitating a reversal at Lewes does not make it a fast route; but it is infinitively better than being forced onto tacky "rail replacement" buses. In the late sixties I travelled to London from Lewes one Sunday when the main line was closed: Three "Thumpers" (Diesel multiple units) forming a 9 coach train running non-stop to East Croydon and on to Victoria.

Nah mate trains would go to Eastbourne or Seaford with a change at Lewes, and then a tunnel from Falmer to Barcombe for the Brighton direction. No reversal needed. And it's STILL cheaper than a mile of road.

I fully understand the anger & dismay at the dismally poor service of the railways in England.
I have to say that here in Germany inspite of other statements the Deutsche Bahn (the company running the so called rail service) is nowhere near perfect & expensive.
Lack of information, trains cancelled without reason etc. I live here since 1976 & it hs got progressively worse. All they care about are their Premium Services. ICE etc.
Two years ago the Politicians forced the Company to set up Compensation rules for late trains!!
Yes the problem in England started with Beeching in the 50´s & 60´s & Tatcher did the rest.
Everytime I am in Brighton & have to use the railway line to London I shudder at the thought I might not arrive on the same day. I do not wish to start on about the state of the trains themselves.
One thing though we must remember, the Train drivers themselves are not to blame. They have the misfortune to work for such disgraceful Companys. If the situation is the same as here in Germany then they themselves do not always get any information!! The same as us Passengers.

All Politicians should have their cars taken away & be forced to use the rail "services". See how long they put up with substandard services & the like.

One could of course organize a strike & not use the services at all. Eh?

The comments on here are laughable,i have lived abroad for over 20 years,delays,strikes
,stoppages happen everywhere,nothing and nowhere is perfect,so all those of you emigrating good luck,as its no better anywhere else,for all the problems we have i still feel incredibly lucky to be living in the UK,go and live abroad for a few years and you will understand what i am talking about,a two week holiday in the sun doers not count !!

lobman wrote:
The comments on here are laughable,i have lived abroad for over 20 years,delays,strikes

,stoppages happen everywhere,nothing and nowhere is perfect,so all those of you emigrating good luck,as its no better anywhere else,for all the problems we have i still feel incredibly lucky to be living in the UK,go and live abroad for a few years and you will understand what i am talking about,a two week holiday in the sun doers not count !!

What have I written beforehand? I still live "Abroad". So I am able to compare very well.
The Railway service in gerneral in GB is dismal. Not even a useable price politic that is understandable. I could go on, but I feel it would be a waste of my time to do so.
I will just say the facts speak for themselves.

I have lived in Spain for nine years.Trains are cheap,clean and on time.
I would say that Spain is not as extensively covered as the UK.Then again it is a lot bigger.
Driving is cheaper.Roads are better and when there is an accident they don't close for hours on end.

I got out. Moved to Japan. The best train network in the world. No graffiti, no chavs, no feet on seats and unnecessary noise. No toilets where the staff have not bothered to connect the water. Last week, I took three trains to the mountains, to a hot spa resort. Three trains, timed to the second, not the minute. The last train, a little hardy diesel. Up through the mountain snow. Totally respectful passengers. Paradise. The shinkansen, or bullet, ripped past the first train, doing something like 185mph. Just perfect. To commute into Osaka, 20 miles, it costs me 2.90 UKP. Paradise. The good people of Britain are getting totally and utterly shafted.

timm wrote:
I got out. Moved to Japan. The best train network in the world. No graffiti, no chavs, no feet on seats and unnecessary noise. No toilets where the staff have not bothered to connect the water. Last week, I took three trains to the mountains, to a hot spa resort. Three trains, timed to the second, not the minute. The last train, a little hardy diesel. Up through the mountain snow. Totally respectful passengers. Paradise. The shinkansen, or bullet, ripped past the first train, doing something like 185mph. Just perfect. To commute into Osaka, 20 miles, it costs me 2.90 UKP. Paradise. The good people of Britain are getting totally and utterly shafted.

I did to & went to Germany.
The reason why I left Brighton in 1976? I was not prepared to be continually taken for an idiot by the those that think they Govern, be it Politically or Business wise.

Every Country is having their problems, but what is happening in England especially these past 10 years is beyond belief. Not just with the railways.
Germany is not anywhere near perfect but still a great deal better than what is happening in my dear old country that I used to live in.
It makes me sad to see what is happening to & in Britain; & that it is accepted makes it all the more deplorable.