h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Rant Rant Rant Rant Rant. Rant.

I was always told that if you can't find anything good to say then say nothing.

Connex: '-'

Okay, I am going to say something, they publish targets and actual results for punctuality of peak hour trains and are currently running at 83% (instead of 90%). This means that statistically speaking my train into work should be late roughly once a week. It is late *every single day* so I now have to get one 20 minutes earlier in order to not get in trouble with my boss.

This is why stats are rubbish and Connex (for me) provides a 0% punctual service.

I wish I could park in central london and drive to work so I don't have to get on crowded smelly, trains where I don't get a seat *ever*. Environmentally speaking the train is better but They drive me mad. Rant.

Haven't Connex lost the bid to continue their contract?

Yes they have. It is sad to admit it but that gave me a little warm feeling all day when I heard about it.

I am not convinced the new folks will be much better as their poster indicates they will first target getting cleaner trains and stations, and making their employees more helpful, rather than the more important issues of elderly rolling stock and poor punctuality.

They fiddle the stats because they only have to be on time at the FINAL DESTINATION.

Thus, if the train is running 30 mins late, they can just miss out most of the stations and get to the final destination only 4 mins late. Simple.

An example: I was waiting at Barnham for a train to Billingshurst. The train came in to an announcement that the next stop would be Gatwick Airport, then East Croydon, then Victoria.

This service would normally have called at Ford, Arundel, Amberley, Pulborough, Billingshurst, Christ's Hospital, Horsham, Littlehaven, Faygate, Ifield, Crawley, Three Bridges, Gatwick Airport, Horley, Redhill, East Croydon, Clapham Junction and Victoria.

Another thing they do is that if you're a season ticket holder, you don't get any compensation unless your train is late for an enormous percentage of the time over the whole year.

*Takes deep breath* Ahhhhh!!!!!

About the compensation thing, it is really annoying as I usually buy weekly travel cards because occasional weeks I don't come into london. That means I never get any compensation at all, ever. Even if every single train I take is half an hour late. Somehow this doesn't seem fair...

And yes, I *know* life isn't fair!

Agreed, truly this is a nuisance. However, on the journey I take buying weekly tickets saves me about£20 a month as opposed to buying monthly ones. How bizarre is that?!

BAck into the delay season again!....

Fortunately, I have to drive to work these days. I think VW should get the franchise - it'd be cheaper, faster and INFINITELY more reliable.

If only I could drive in it would be fine. Or walk. Or cycle without being in constant fear for my life. Instead I get what are laughably referred to as 'Fast Trains'. Ho ho ho.

The only thing worse than trains are buses. They have all the same features (too many people who don't know about anti-perspirant, never getting a seat, unreliable) but with the added annoyance of have to sit in a traffic jam without the benefit of a car stereo.

Buses, trains and the tube (just don't get me started) are the reasons why Londoners are always thought of as a miserable bunch, we aren't really but it is hard to maintain a sunny disposition when you have been standing with somebody's armpit in your face for 40 minutes!

I do sound bitter don't I?

Perhaps you haven't found the right armpit.

Some buses in Hong Kong have piped music and/or TV. Believe me, you don't want it - neither does any passenger on those routes

If anyone decided piped music was a good idea in trains I think I might throw myself under one.

As to lack of antiperspirant, don't assume this is exclusive to buses! There's a regular on my morning train who could do with a good bath. Enchanting.

I think Hornby should get the franchise. We would certainly get new carriages then!! Gripe!


(Gratuitous pumpkin)