and they have a new definition for the word 'late' …


amazing truly amazing …
link

This sort of thing is really bad for my blood pressure !

So rather than improve the service, they redefine what late means.

Not sure the Japanese would agree with that definition. Japan’s Shinkansen Bullet Train is on average 6 seconds late!!!!!

Rather than redefining 'late', they should shuffle the timetables so everything fits. I couldn't care less if my train is ten minutes late, what I do care about is missing the next train and having to wait two bloody hours for the next one!

The trains are good, but they are far from great, bonuses aren't deserved, in fact shootings are in order after some of the recent cock-ups they've been involved in.

While I appreciate that in many contexts the arrival of a train 10 minutes late isn't such a big deal, it is definitely a massive problem for me consistently, week in week out and I am sure that it is for thousands of individuals. On weekdays I run my day like clockwork, after all, as I want to reach my workplace on time and therefore do my job properly and not get fired (something that now in the recession is more important than ever), it is imperative that I get the correct train to get me in on time. Now, if I turn up for my train on time and it is ten minutes late, that means that – funnily enough – I arrive at work late. Now, as the most junior journalist in my office, I am the first person in line to be let go / fired if things start going pear shaped. So arriving late CONSISTENTLY one or two days every week – due to a train service that is broken to the extreme – is not exactly something that one wants to make a habit out of, because contrary to this:



The trains are in fact ******** awful. They are run down, filthy, broken, noisy, expensive, cramped tin cans in which humans are transported with – on average – less room than animals in transit to their destinations consistently late. In addition, no I cannot get an earlier train and regardless, I shouldn't have to.

I do care that my train is ten minutes late and everyone in this country should. The problem is the business suits at the top, the ones who never catch a train in their lives apart from the odd First Class jolly to St Andrews, don't. By reclassifying the definition of late, they maintain their corporate profits and bonuses, and keep commuters' faces down in the dirt, and worst of all, modify subversively peoples perceptions of what constitutes late and a good service.



THAT is a good service.

I thought that was always the definition of late? It certainly has been for as long as I've used trains regularly (a few years). It's amazing to think though that in Britain a train is only late if it's a massive ten minutes late and in Japan a train is late if it's more than one or two minutes late - and yet we STILL score worse! 90% of trains "on time" is rubbish.

All I can say is I've commuted by trains for most of the last 12 years and it is currently more reliable both in terms of time keeping and cancellations than ever before.

Thats not to say its good but it is better.

The cost is totally and utterly bonkers though.

I would love to train long journeys but when it costs more than the petrol, I would rather take the convenience of driving.

I can handle a bit of lateness (I dont use trains for work so that bit isnt an issue at least) but the cost frankly stupid. I went to Brussels some time back on Eurostar and it was cheaper to drive all the way to Ashford in Kent and park for three days than get a return from Nottingham to London. And I mean cheaper by a loooooooong way.

There’s a train? And there’s gravy? Sign me up!

Seriously, given the problems I have getting into London the last couple of years, I am appalled, yet not surprised. A private company’s job is to make money for the share holders, and top management are given bonuses as incentive to make share holders rich. The fact that a railway service has to be run is an unfortunate occupational hazard.

My controversial idea of re-nationalising the railways may not go down too well, but if they can be run as non-profit as a service to the people who use them, then maybe things will improve.

Just make sure you no only renationalise network rail ( the infrastructure ) but also the TOC's ( Train Operating Companies ) & FOC's ( Freight operating Companies ) until they are all under one umbrella it will never work properly IMHO.

Any one see the Reggie Perrin series with Martin Clunes? Compare his rail journey with the original series, when Reggie is sitting in a British Rail compartment coach. Rossiter’s Perrin had to cope with crosswords and other people in suits. Clunes’ Perrin had to deal with the privately operated flesh wagons that call themselves trains.

Both were always 27 minutes late. At least Rossiter’s Perrin got to travel with some kind of dignity.

Get the train before that one to be sure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JS9OU1uVSBM




Here we go again, its monday at last,
Hes heading for the waterloo line,
To catch the 8 a.m. fast, its usually dead on time,
Hope it isnt late, got to be there by nine.
Pin stripe suit, clean shirt and tie,
Stops off at the corner shop, to buy the times
good morning smithers-jones
hows the wife and home?
did you get the car youve been looking for?

Let me get inside you, let me take control of you,
We could have some good times,
All this worry will get you down,
Ill give you a new meaning to life - I dont think so.

Sitting on the train, youre nearly there
Youre part of the production line,
Youre the same as him, youre like tin-sardines,
Get out of the pack, before they peel you back.

Arrive at the office, spot on time,
The clock on the wall hasnt yet struck nine,
good morning smithers jones
the boss wants to see you alone
i hope its the promotion youve been looking for

Let me get inside you, let me take control of you,
We could have some good times,
All this worry will get you down,
Ill give you a new meaning to life - I dont think so.

come in smithers old boy
take a seat, take the weight off your feet
Ive some news to tell you
theres no longer a position for you -
sorry smithers jones.

Put on the kettle and make some tea
Its all a part of feeling groovie
Put on your slippers turn on the tv
Its all a part of feeling groovie
Its time to relax, now youve worked your arse off
But the only one smilin is the sun tanned boss
Work and work and work and work till you die
Theres plenty more fish in the sea to fry

it gladdens my heart to see the railway gravy train is still going full steam ahead
let the train take the strain while you have the pain …

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8120864.stm