This post is a rant but a very valid one – buyer beware as they say!
So I catch my train at 9.37 this morning from Church Stretton and ask for a day return to London Euston via Crewe. Chap gives me a ticket for under £60 and I am at Euston before mid day – fantastic service from both train companies …
… then we get back to the usual debacle of the UK transport system … I turn up at Euston ready to catch the 16.10 to Crewe but see an earlier one at 15.45 so toodle down to catch it … the highly efficient Virgin Trains staff tell me that the ticket is not valid … apparently peak times start at 3.00 these days … does everyone in London knock off early these days? … I doubt it! But off peak starts again at 6.01pm!! When do most people travel?
It gets better. How much for a single to Church Stretton then? Eighty Nine pounds – yes that’s right – MORE than the return cost earlier. I am now not a happy bunny! OK I say, how much is 1st class then to Church Stretton – £130 ish I’m told. Ah I think – I’ll get 1st to Crewe and use the old ticket from Crewe to Church Stretton – probably won’t be much more than the second class single to Church Stretton – WRONG!! It is over £160, so more money than the fare to CS but a shorter distance and I travel through the bloody station to get to CS!!
I have decided to sit in first and make the difference up in beer!
Come on VIRGIN TRAINS and ARRIVA TRAINS – sort yourselves out – let’s also see how good either of you are at managing your online reputation because next time I’ll go in the car!!
I remember British Rail had a strap line once – “We’re getting there” – I would suggest that our rail network is still trying to get there and no amount of fancy trains and polite staff (both massively improved since BR of course) make up for delivering a poor customer experience.
It may not be specifically industry relevant, but let’s see if this online communication has any effect?
How many beers can I go through before Crewe? Please make a guess!!
David, I wouldnt presume to guess at the amount of beers but I will comment on the post as it makes my blood boil just reading it! I had similar experience from Edinburgh to Aviemore early February….If I had booked 6 weeks in advance – yes, that is 6 weeks, it would have cost something like £15, but heaven forbid I wish to travel at short notice – nearly £70 and the service was awful, the staff unhelpful, the carriage freezing cold and I am with you, I will drive next time and pay the parking fees in Edinburgh which you need a mortgage to cover!
Have a drink for me
x
David,
Sorry to hear your plight, but we have all had horrendous experiences. My advice would be to charter a helicopter..the beer (and service) will be markedly superior…and the whole service would come in considerably cheaper!
Hope you get back for Easter!
I am just chuckling now at any poor unfirtunate souls who have to listen to a drunken rant from you. Having had the odd sample pint with you before I will hazzard a guess at this taking place anywhere from Crewe onwards when the air hits you mid platform………. Good luck!