Thank you to all those who have signed so far!
25 signatures made. Let’s make another 25 signatures before the end of the month.
I will be aiming to engage people locally to me and spread word of the petition.
If you have signed please share the petition as well. This helps the petition to reach more people who might be interested and want to sign.
So yesterday was another eventful day of travel by train.
With part of my route cancelling multiple services for the day. I had to run across the station along with others to catch the last train which was delayed and runs before the one I was supposed to catch. After spending £132 on single ticket. I spent another journey sat on my suitcase with other travellers huddled together without a seat, who were advised to hop on this service to have chance of reaching our destinations.
I highlight this not because I want to complain, but, to highlight that cancellations and delays of trains have become a regular occurrence. One that is being experienced on a weekly basis by many and causing continuous inconvenience to people’s lives. Something needs to be improved. Luckily this week I managed to get back at a fairly reasonable time, but I only managed this by chance. Despite actively aiming to leave early afternoon on a route that was supposed to get back at a reasonable time.
The other passengers who I spoke to just reflecting the same. That they faced similar problems only the week before. I quote another passenger “well today is actually better. At least I have some room to move. Last week, I had two people resting up against me like sardines. I could just about move my head to look at my phone on the journey”.
The rail network is clearly not functioning properly.
Oh and I nearly forgot that. On Thursday on my way home. Was another nightmare. Ended up having to pay for a cheaper route as I was unable to pay near £100 for a single ticket. I usually pay £67. I ended up having to stay at a train station which closes over night. My stay was authorised by station staff. It was either that or I would have needed to stay at a local 24hours McDonald’s which was suggested. A hotel was suggested and clearly the station staff were not listening when I said that I was unable to pay for a ticket increase to near £100. I was not in a position to then pay £100 for a hotel to sleep in for a less than 5 hours. Luckily the station staff had a conscious and authorised me to stay.
I was lucky that I understand the situation because of my experiences and that I could articulate myself well. Otherwise, no doubt, I would have been asked to leave the station and find my way to McDonald’s at night.
This is just poor. Why are rail companies running services that do not allow a passenger to get home before midnight. I left at a reasonable time where it should be possible to get back before midnight.
I know have to consider a reduction in pay so that I can leave work earlier. At a time when the train companies charge more for a ticket. Doing so may give me some chance of getting back home before midnight. However, there is no guarantee because I have taken the earlier route many times before and still encountered delays and cancellations causing me to get back later than the intended time.
In fact, being placed in a taxi that costs hundreds of pounds, funded by the train companies because they are legally obliged to get passengers home safe when they cause disruption to travel.
Why don’t rail companies use the money they spend on failed journeys on improving the network!
With us going into the winter and autumn. The afternoons will be darker.
It is not much to ask to have a seat on a train that you pay for and to be able to complete a journey without much hassle.
My hope is that those with the power to improve the state of the rail network. Will give this situation some prolonged and well needed thought and make some proactive changes for the better.
Thanks again all!