Why is it so hard to travel to work in this country?

18/12/2009

2 Comments

 
Why is it that we are treated with complete contempt by the executives and shareholders of Southeastern and First Crappy Connect? Yet again, last night and this morning, two companies who are supposed to run train services are getting away like the Great Train Robber with our hard earned money, both as passengers and taxpayers. Cancelled trains, delayed trains and suspended animation trains, holding freezing cold passengers sitting on ancient and uncomfortable trains while the fat cats of the railway industry, are having a laugh at our expense, probably in the same club as the bankers. What will it take for us to say enough is enough? I complain, I protest but without everyone doing the same we will be treated like cash cows funding the bonuses of greedy on behalf of the rich. Now some of you may say, it has been snowing last night and today? True, but unless a new ice age has begun affecting Kent, then that is a poor excuse. We are living in the 21st Century and have trains that guess what, remove the snow from the train tracks and electrical connectors. So why are they not used? Could it be that the train companies have to pay for them? Could it be that means less profit? Oh I know we won’t run a train service and take the money from hard working people instead. But they offer compensation you say! Yes they do, usually over 3o minutes delay means you get £1! Yes £1, that will really affect their profits, especially as only a few people make a claim. The only way to make public transport reliable, safe and efficient is to run it in the interests of the user, the public and not in the interests of profit.
 


Comments

Andrew Kennedy
21/12/2009 7:17pm

I smell a hint of hypocrisy here, Mr Bell.

Most of the problems over the last few days, including those referred to above, are not down to the Operating Companies, but due to Network Rail's infrastructure.

Snow and iced track and frozen points have accounted for 93% of delays and cancellations over the past 4 days with just 7% of cancellations down to staffing issues of defective rolling stock.

Now - who "owns" Network Rail? Ahh yes, the equity is held by the Government. Who appoints the Directors of Network Rail? Ahh yes, the majority of them are appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport.

Here is the extract from Network Rail's Constitution:

"In addition the Department for Transport (DfT) is a Member of Network Rail and has special membership rights – such as to appoint a Director of Network Rail and certain rights in relation to change to the company’s constitution. The DfT also provides credit support in relation to the debt funding of the Network Rail group and has certain rights in that capacity."

Now I am not for one moment claiming that the Operating Companies are wonderful, far from it, however in this case, where the failings are specifically and almost exclusively down to tracking problems, it is disingenuous of you to blame "profit for shareholders" when Network Rail neither makes a profit not has any shareholders and is responsible to a Labour Government Minister for its performance!

And before you blame "Tory cuts and lack of funding" remember your Party has been in power for 12 years now!

Andrew

Reply
PAUL BELL
21/12/2009 8:53pm

And the shortage of drivers on the First Capital Connect route? Is that due to incompetent management or greed?

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