Trains/Travel Disruption
Well, the 7.32am that was planned is delayed by "11 hours 20 minutes" according to the announcement (much derisive laughter from commuters), next service at 8.02am, and the platform is already packed with people. The platform and footbridge have indeed not been cleared and are practically deathtraps.
Well done Southern.
Well done Southern.
-
- Posts: 8
- Joined: 5 Jul 2005 19:09
- Location: Thorpes
Just heard from the other half who's currently at Sydenham station. Next train is supposed to be at 08:00, but he's been waiting since before 7:30. He also says the platform is jammed packed with people, and the next train is only 4 coaches long! He's given up and is getting the bus to Lewisham DLR as that appears to be running a normal service.
Think I will probably do the same as it looks like it will be a complete bun fight trying to get on any train at Sydenham today...
PS Latest update, train info board has just announced 8:18 is delayed by 11 hours...greeted by laughter on platform...oh dear.
,
Think I will probably do the same as it looks like it will be a complete bun fight trying to get on any train at Sydenham today...
PS Latest update, train info board has just announced 8:18 is delayed by 11 hours...greeted by laughter on platform...oh dear.
,
Boon, at least a service is running.boon wrote:Well done Southern.
Let me ask you, if you were a member of Southern staff, would you have stood out in the snow for two hours whilst the rest of the station was shut advising anyone who turned up what was going on?
Would you have rung up your Control office to get info to pass onto an internet forum so your fellow residents could find out what was going on?
Thank you to those of you who have appreciated my updates, I hope they have been of use.
To those of you who continue to berate Southern as it tries to cope with the worst snowfall in 18 years whilst still experiencing the same problems getting its staff to work as every other company, i tell you this....you have absolutely no concept of the complexities of running a railway or the effect that these conditions have on it.
It makes me wonder why we didn't just shut the whole network down until all the snow had disappeared.
It's not a criticism of you, it's Southern that continues to disappoint. Of course everyone is hugely appreciative of you and impressed at your efforts.Barty wrote:Let me ask you, if you were a member of Southern staff, would you have stood out in the snow for two hours whilst the rest of the station was shut advising anyone who turned up what was going on?
Would you have rung up your Control office to get info to pass onto an internet forum so your fellow residents could find out what was going on?
Thank you to those of you who have appreciated my updates, I hope they have been of use.
Because it is the responsibility of the rail operators to provide transport under any reasonable circumstances. I appreciate that it's difficult, but that doesn't excuse the total lack of reliable or accurate communication from the company. Services may be running, but that doesn't help if you turn up at the station when they tell you to and have to wait 40 minutes with 800 other people for a train that's already overcrowded.Barty wrote:To those of you who continue to berate Southern as it tries to cope with the worst snowfall in 18 years whilst still experiencing the same problems getting its staff to work as every other company, i tell you this....you have absolutely no concept of the complexities of running a railway or the effect that these conditions have on it.
It makes me wonder why we didn't just shut the whole network down until all the snow had disappeared.
Least excusable is the state of platform 1 and the footbridge. Someone is going to break their neck or fall onto the rails out there.
Ditto Barty. Its just a feeling if all the management at Southern, SouthEastern & NationalRail had shown your resolve, initiative and dedication then things would be a lot better, or at least better understood.boon wrote:It's not a criticism of you, it's Southern that continues to disappoint. Of course everyone is hugely appreciative of you and impressed at your efforts.
Please keep up the good work.
Admin
I got the 7:05 from FH, which turned up at 7:16, just as I arrived at the station. I got a seat and travelled into London Bridge.
At London Bridge there are no trains to Charing Cross, but you should be able to use the Jubilee Line which is running fine. 176 and 185 both appeared to be running.
I suspect this evening will not be as easy as this morning unless there are more trains - might just get a bus.
At London Bridge there are no trains to Charing Cross, but you should be able to use the Jubilee Line which is running fine. 176 and 185 both appeared to be running.
I suspect this evening will not be as easy as this morning unless there are more trains - might just get a bus.
Sorry about my teddys-out-the-pram moment.
I should use the information and the (perfectly valid) opinions I hear about from people on here to try and influence the way Southern works.
In my induction the trainers mentioned how there was a procedure in place to make comments and suggestions on how to improve the company.
I shall be looking into that procedure and making a few comments on the last 36 hours....you never know.
I should use the information and the (perfectly valid) opinions I hear about from people on here to try and influence the way Southern works.
In my induction the trainers mentioned how there was a procedure in place to make comments and suggestions on how to improve the company.
I shall be looking into that procedure and making a few comments on the last 36 hours....you never know.
-
- Posts: 3380
- Joined: 9 Sep 2008 07:30
- Location: London SE26
-
- Posts: 228
- Joined: 31 Oct 2007 13:04
- Location: Sydenham
Brilliant quote that was... some laughter in gloomy circumstances - wonder if that's what the intention was!??? The 11-hours late 7.02am did actually turn up at 7.24am, so 11 hours was a BIT out!???boon wrote:Well, the 7.32am that was planned is delayed by "11 hours 20 minutes" according to the announcement (much derisive laughter from commuters), next service at 8.02am, and the platform is already packed with people. The platform and footbridge have indeed not been cleared and are practically deathtraps.
Well done Southern.
-
- Posts: 228
- Joined: 31 Oct 2007 13:04
- Location: Sydenham
To be fair, the train wasn't too crowded at all, I was on the (apparently 11 hours late) 7.02am and got a seat, even after leaving New Cross Gate it wasn't too packed. And it wasn't 4 carriages as it had stated on the display - thank God!!!have to wait 40 minutes with 800 other people for a train that's already overcrowded.
Least excusable is the state of platform 1 and the footbridge. Someone is going to break their neck or fall onto the rails out there.
But I totally agree about the steps and the footbridge, that scared the life out of me this morning - I wanted to go get a cup of tea while I waited the extra half hour for my train, but didn't dare try and navigate them again, and we were locked in by that side gate (dunno why, as the one the other side was open)!??? I wouldn't be surprised if someone has actually fallen down those stairs by now... terrible!!!!
If I was at home I'd go down there and clear them myself. Someone is seriously going to hurt themselves. I saw at least ten people slip and a couple fall on those stairs. They were all able to catch themselves or land without injury, but that may not always be the case.lizzie wrote:The previous poster is correct when they say the bridge is a death trap - I nearly slipped down the last few steps - no attempt has been made to clear snow off the steps and this has now turned into compacted ice. Very dangerous. Be careful on those steps.
The 7.53am (I have no idea when it was originally scheduled for) turned out to be 8 carriages, but it was still so packed that I couldn't even get my phone to my ear to take a call. It didn't help that at every station more people tried to shove their way onto the train when there wasn't even enough room for the people already there. From Brockley a large man at our doors just refused to let anyone else on, though he endured some nasty curses and pushing to do so. A general murmur of gratitude went through the tightly-packed commuters when the door finally closed.Nickerbockers wrote:To be fair, the train wasn't too crowded at all, I was on the (apparently 11 hours late) 7.02am and got a seat, even after leaving New Cross Gate it wasn't too packed. And it wasn't 4 carriages as it had stated on the display - thank God!!!