FCC

Entries Tagged as 'FCC'

“First Crapital Connect”? – heads they win, tails we lose

December 17th, 2009 · No Comments · Sandy's blog

I have just received the latest newsletter from our local Association of Passenger Transport Users (APTU). It makes fairly dismal reading.
The 14 December temporary timetable still shows a reduction of 30% in the advertised train service – hardly an improvement on the previous timetable which was a reduction of 38%.
Apparently drivers at two of the [...]

Light at end of tunnel for FCC commuters and for once it’s an oncoming train – but now the fight is for proper compensation

December 7th, 2009 · No Comments · Sandy's blog

It is good news that it now looks like there may be a settlement of the “dispute” between FCC and its drivers. This has been a nightmare for local commuters who have been caught between a rock and a hard place through no fault of their own.
It was not an act of god. It was [...]

FCC Rail Agony Continues

November 23rd, 2009 · 8 Comments · Sandy's blog

The rail service just does not get any better. I think we are rapidly moving to the stage of asking whether First Capital Connect should be stripped of its franchise if it cannot run its advertised service.
Equally the drivers should be ashamed of wreaking disruption on a scale which far outweighs any strength of grievance [...]

Let the train take the strain??

November 11th, 2009 · No Comments · Sandy's blog

I was interviewed yet again by BBC Three Counties Radio on the increasing shambles of the First Capital Connect train “service”. I was talking about yesterday’s sudden announcement of the departure of Jim Morgan as Interim Managing Director. Following the earlier departures this year of his predecessor Elaine Holt (to run the renationalised East Coast [...]

More rail misery for FCC commuters

October 30th, 2009 · 1 Comment · Uncategorized

There are times when I am so relieved not to be a daily commuter any more. I have just heard of the other side of the coin from this morning’s optimistic announcement about the Abbey Flyer service, which is of course part of the London Midland franchise.
Back in the topsy turvy world of the First [...]

First Capital Connect Super Saver Scam

October 20th, 2009 · No Comments · Sandy's blog

I have just been interviewed by BBC Three Counties Radio about the astonishing blunder by First Capital Connect in failing to ensure their summer promotion super saver weekend day returns could be purchased from station ticket machines.
The super saver tickets were launched in June. They offer up to 25 percent discounts on weekend train travel [...]

Time for a complete rethink of the rail franchise system

September 22nd, 2009 · No Comments · Sandy's blog, Uncategorized

Following much feedback from long-suffering St Albans commuters, I brought the issue of rail company performance and over high fares to the floor of the Liberal Democrat conference today by moving a motion on the reform of rail franchises.
I was calling for longer terms for rail franchises – subject to stringent periodic review – to [...]

What is the point of a rail regulator if he can’t regulate?

February 17th, 2009 · No Comments · Sandy's blog

St Albans rail commuters endured yet another wretched Monday morning journey to work yesterday morning as overhead wire problems stopped trains running through London. It beggars belief that rail subsidies are now five times higher than they were pre-privatisation. There’s not even the excuse of snow.
Last week I attended a roundtable discussion with Bill Emery, [...]

Sandy 4 St Albans

Sandy Walkington campaigns with the Liberal Democrats across St Albans