Dr Sarah O’Toole and Professor Nicola Christie at the Centre for Transport Studies, University College London, are conducting a study to better understand the link between the type (e.g. car, bus, train) and length of an individual’s commute on their physical and emotional well-being. Previous research has found that longer and more challenging commutes have been linked to lower life satisfaction, increased work-family conflict and greater stress.
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During one recent journey I spotted these seats at Waterloo (Main) station. They incorporate charging points for phones and other devices. This is a very welcome innovation – especially if there are delays. Hopefully they’ll be introduced on key Southeastern stations as well?
Our Bat & Ball correspondent, Keith Alderman, has now retired. However, when Thameslink allow him, he’s making good use of his Senior Railcard!
Delay Repay Claims; total 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 inclusive = £113.09
(Southeastern £45.40, Thameslink £28.50, South West Railway £12.40, Southern £1.10, Virgin £25.69)
This month’s delays: total 112 minutes, Southeastern 109, Thameslink 3
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An update on National Rail Enquiries issue that I mentioned last month concerning the off-peak fare of £24.55 being valid on the 09.21 departure from Bat & Ball to Harwich International arriving at 12.17. National Rail Customer Services have confirmed that there was inconsistency of the information displayed when I was searching for the trains departing and arriving for the times I wanted to travel; and they are working to get this issue rectified on their website. They kindly gave me Rail Vouchers to the value of £10, as a gesture of goodwill and for the inaccurate information I received.
That’s a good response from National Rail; it would be good to see similar responses from other train company customer service departments!
When I collected some Advance Purchase tickets at Bat & Ball recently a rail replacement bus service stopped outside the station. The display screen on the front of the bus showed a graphic of a steam locomotive and the following text; “Rail replacement bus, I am a train, choo choo”!
On the same day I noticed that the information screen at the entrance to Bat & Ball station was displaying the rail replacement bus departure times and where to board them. It also advised that the buses were on time. Are the buses current locations tracked using GPS?
Our Bat & Ball correspondent, Keith Alderman, has now retired. However, when Thameslink allow him, he’s making good use of his Senior Railcard!
Delay Repay Claims; total 1 January 2018 to 30 November 2018 inclusive = £104.19
(Southeastern £36.50, Thameslink £28.50, South West Railway £12.40, Southern £1.10, Virgin £25.69). One claim outstanding, one under dispute about amount paid.
This month’s delays: total 110 minutes, Southeastern 101, Thameslink 9.
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