First Capital Connect

Entries Tagged as 'First Capital Connect'

Mirror, mirror on the wall, which is the dearest train fare of them all?

January 6th, 2012 · 4 Comments · Sandy's blog

I am quoted in a story published today on the BBC News website investigating which is the most expensive rail journey in the UK – see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16390608. I have always argued that St Albans must be up there at the top based on comparisons with other commuter stations at a similar distance from their London [...]

Do you have £100 million spare cash? Do you want to run a railroad?

December 23rd, 2011 · 4 Comments · Sandy's blog

I am indebted to the informative regular newsletter from the local branch of the Association of Passenger Transport Users for alerting me that the Department for Transport has formally asked for expressions of interest in running the new Thameslink rail franchise from 2013.
What this means is that they have issued an “OJEU Notice” – ie [...]

Meeting with Rail Minister about First Capital Connect

December 15th, 2011 · 1 Comment · Sandy's blog

Very useful and wide-ranging meeting this afternoon with Rail Minister Norman Baker MP in the House of Commons. I was accompanied by Caroline Pidgeon AM, chair of the Greater London Assembly Transport Committee, and by Chris White, leader of the opposition on Herts County Council.
We took with us a dossier prepared by two St Albans [...]

Banning the sale of scrap metal for cash

November 29th, 2011 · 5 Comments · Sandy's blog

I have just had brought to my attention an e-petition on the government website calling for the banning of sale of scrap metal for cash. The explanatory preamble explains the issue perfectly:
Due to a significant rise in value, metal has become a much sought after commodity. This increased demand has resulted in a sharp [...]

Time to rethink how rail fares will be increased – and how compensation for delays is triggered and paid

November 22nd, 2011 · 1 Comment · Sandy's blog

Thoughtful rail fare briefing and follow-up discussion with the Campaign for Better Transport (CfBT) yesterday afternoon at the House of Commons.
Some people argue that crowded peak hour trains and rising passenger numbers suggest that fare rises are not a problem. But not everyone who uses the railway is wealthy – particularly if they are buying [...]

Another truly horrible day on the railway

November 7th, 2011 · 3 Comments · Sandy's blog

Another truly horrible day on the railway, thanks to a major signal failure south of City Thameslink. I do not travel on a regular basis into London any more so I just felt the pain being transmitted by those affected across twitter and facebook.
On this occasion the fault lies with Network Rail rather than First [...]

Investigation into the First Capital Connect train failure of 26th May

June 8th, 2011 · 2 Comments · Sandy's blog

The establishment of the Rail Accident Investigation Branch as an organisation to independently investigate railway accidents with the aim of improving safety was recommended in Lord Cullen’s inquiry report on the Ladbroke Grove rail accident in 1999. It has now confirmed that it is conducting an inquiry into the First Capital Connect train [...]

Is First Capital Connect waking up and smelling the coffee?

March 24th, 2010 · 1 Comment · Sandy's blog

I received an e-mail from Neal Lawson, Managing Director of First Capital Connect.
He wrote that he and senior colleagues “have spoken to and corresponded with many customers as well as meeting with a high proportion of MPs along the route.”
And guess what, they have decided to improve the compensation package for season ticket holders [...]

A new vision for our railway

March 17th, 2010 · No Comments · Sandy's blog

It was rather an irony that we had to slightly delay the start of last night’s public meeting on FCC’s lamentable performance and what steps can be taken to hold them to account or even remove their franchise. This was because main speaker Norman Baker’s northbound train was delayed. You couldn’t make it up.

The picture [...]

“Should FCC lose its franchise?” – Public Meeting 16th March

March 9th, 2010 · No Comments · Sandy's blog

I am still being inundated daily with e-mails and telephone calls about continued erratic performance from First Capital Connect. And their mean and overly complex compensation offer is leaving people frustrated and angry.
The mechanism exists for rail franchises to be handed back if franchisees fail to deliver the promised service. FCC seems to have had [...]

Sandy 4 St Albans

Sandy Walkington campaigns with the Liberal Democrats across St Albans