Reply to: Very Sad Train News

[BoredBloke]

Bloody hell! How far do you travel?

I haven't used the big operators for a while, I use Chiltern Railways which is relatively cheap, reliable and uncrowded.

But now someone will tell me they've heard First Direct are taking over from them...

I have free tickets from Virgin. So my weekly commute from Manchester which should be about £160 return (if you book in advance) is zero. Then you do a coupe of months buying the tickets and it all kicks off again for another 12 months. I doubt First are going to run the traveller scheme

[Doggy Styles]

Virgin have the best loyalty scheme around. That change has just cost me about £8k a year!

Bloody hell! How far do you travel?

I haven't used the big operators for a while, I use Chiltern Railways which is relatively cheap, reliable and uncrowded.

But now someone will tell me they've heard First Direct are taking over from them...

[BoredBloke]

I currently work with several people who come into Paddington. They all hate the service for overcrowding and unreliability.

I used to use Thameslink and that was overcrowded, dirty and slow. However, that was back in the 2000s so it might be better now.

On the other hand, Virgin wasn't perfect but wasn't bad in comparison.

Virgin have the best loyalty scheme around. That change has just cost me about £8k a year!

[Doggy Styles]

Anyone living in the West Country or on Thameslink will be shocked that First Group have been awarded this franchise.

I currently work with several people who come into Paddington. They all hate the service for overcrowding and unreliability.

I used to use Thameslink and that was overcrowded, dirty and slow. However, that was back in the 2000s so it might be better now.

On the other hand, Virgin wasn't perfect but wasn't bad in comparison.

[v8gaz]

Now confirmed

on bbc website

BBC News - Virgin Trains loses West Coast Mainline franchise

I travel to London from Glasgow a lot, and I am not happy.

[Robinho]

I've been commuting on the Thameslink for the last 3 weeks and i've not had any major problems so far.

[NoddY]

Anyone living in the West Country or on Thameslink will be shocked that First Group have been awarded this franchise.

[eek]

When I do this I drive to Beaconsfield to miss out the traffic in uxbridge and the end of the M40/A40 and catch the train from there as it only takes 30mins to get to Marylebone. Oterwise I drive to West Ruisplip and catch the Central Line

When working in London I walk out the back door and 55 seconds later onto the train which was entering Amersham station as I set off.

Being at the end of the line it makes going into London bearable. thankfully I don't have to do it that often.

[BoredBloke]

I drive to Uxbridge, park in the station, then take the tube.
I like having my chariot close by

When I do this I drive to Beaconsfield to miss out the traffic in uxbridge and the end of the M40/A40 and catch the train from there as it only takes 30mins to get to Marylebone. Oterwise I drive to West Ruisplip and catch the Central Line

[BoredBloke]

Hehe, did anyone see Bob Crow's breakfast interview?

Threatening industrial action before anything's actually happened, or even been proposed.

The story started doing the rounds at the middle of last week that Virgin would lose the west coast line. On this subject I agee with him. The line is running at near capacity but First have bid £7billion to run it, way above what Virgin bid. If it is at capacity then to increase their profits to pay for the bid they will either have to cut the uneconomic trains (no cheap fares) or ramp up the fares. I suspect the fares increase will be the winner.

[MarillionFan]

Hehe, did anyone see Bob Crow's breakfast interview?

Threatening industrial action before anything's actually happened, or even been proposed.

No. I wish he'd **** off to Cuba though and stay there.

[mudskipper]

Hehe, did anyone see Bob Crow's breakfast interview?

Threatening industrial action before anything's actually happened, or even been proposed.

[BoredBloke]

First are just as bad for the walk on fares. They also (On the TPE route at least) have a habit of declassifying first class at the drop of a hat, not policing first class properly and the trains generally can be a bit grubby. They were also tulip at time keeping, but I'm not sure how much of that is due to network rail and how much is due to firsts crapness.

Agreed..what I was trying to say is the Virgin are as bad as all the others regarding walk on fares and peak time fares. Trains generally in this country are a crock and an bloody expensive one at that.

[Spacecadet]

What will happen to the Pendilinos?

First will probably replace them with Intercity 125s

I think the rolling stock is all leased from the Government, so first should inherit the Penolinos, they will probably refit them in their own colours and probably reconfigure the interiors at the same time

[ZARDOZ]

What will happen to the Pendilinos?

First will probably replace them with Intercity 125s