A total of 257 minutes delay – Southeastern 125, Thameslink 132. Not a good month!

Delay Repay Claims; total 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2016 inclusive = £48.20.
Four claims outstanding one each against Southeastern and Southern and two against Thameslink.

Keith is a SRTA member and a regular commuter from Bat & Ball to London via Sevenoaks. Each month he gives his personal experiences and views.

Week of 30 May 2016

Total lateness 28 minutes: Southeastern 16, Thameslink 12

• Tuesday 31 May – I received the copy of timetable number six that Southeastern said they would post to me
• Wednesday 1 June – No work this week, today I am heading for Bridgnorth via Birmingham and Kidderminster. The final part of the journey on a steam hauled train on the Severn Valley Railway. I had to walk to Sevenoaks because there were no services from Bat & Ball when I commenced my journey. The 05.43 departure from Sevenoaks arrived three minutes early at Charing Cross. I returned from Charing Cross on the 21.10 which arrived two minutes early at Sevenoaks. Virgin Trains were three minutes late arriving at Birmingham New Street due to signalling problems and were two minutes early in to Euston on the return journey. West Midlands Trains ran to time in both directions.
• Thursday 2 June – My destination today is Hastings, however I bought a return ticket with Goldcard discount from Sevenoaks to Eastbourne, (not via London), because it is £2.70 cheaper than a ticket from Sevenoaks to Hastings! My train from Bat & Ball was one minute late arriving at Sevenoaks. The Hastings service departed six minutes behind time from Sevenoaks and was seven minutes late at Hastings. The return journey was no improvement the 14.50 departure from Hastings arrived three minutes late at Sevenoaks missing the 16.00 departure to Bat & Ball. The 16.21 train to Bat & Ball ran to time. Sevenoaks station now have copies of timetable number six.
• Friday 3 June – Travelling to Southampton today. The 08.00 from Bat & Ball to Sevenoaks arrived one minute late however the 08.03 to Waterloo East was also running late. I did not travel on this service because it there were no seats available. I boarded the 08.12 service at 08.15; arrival in London was five minutes late. I returned home on the 16.13 from Waterloo East and the 17.00 from Sevenoaks. Both trains were on time. South West Trains were on time arriving at Southampton but two minutes late on the return journey to London. The South West Trains schedule seems to contain long station dwell times, or is very generous with the time allowed between stations. Built in recovery time?
• Sunday 5 June – I am travelling to Wembley Park today to a Bruce Springsteen gig at Wembley Stadium. I drove to Sevenoaks because when I returned there would be no connecting service to Bat and Ball until 05.40! I had intended travelling on the 15.30 to Waterloo East and then the Jubilee Line from Southwark to Finchley Road then the Metropolitan to Wembley Park. However; I arrived at Sevenoaks Station early and travelled on the 15.20 departure which arrived in London three minutes early. I returned after a three hour thirty-five minute performance by Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band; good value for money! It is usually quicker to travel between Sevenoaks and Wembley Park in either direction using the Jubilee Line between Waterloo East and Finchley Road and the Metropolitan Line between Finchley Road and Wembley Park. However; due to the number of people travelling I decided to use the Metropolitan line from Wembley Park to Baker Street and change there on to the Bakerloo Line and travel to Charing Cross. I returned home from London on the 23.10 departure due in to Sevenoaks at 23.47 today due to engineering works. It actually arrived at 23.43.

Week of 6 June 2016

Total lateness 25 minutes: Southeastern 23, Thameslink 2

• Tuesday 07 June – Not a good day. The 06.24 from Bat & Ball was one minute late arriving at Sevenoaks today. The 06.30 to Waterloo East was cancelled this morning due to there being no trains between Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge because of emergency engineering works in the High Brooms area in connection with a point that was damaged by an Engineer’s train. I travelled on the 06.43 which was not as crowded as I expected it to be. This train departed on time and arrived in London one minute early. The 16.13 from Waterloo East was cancelled this evening due to signalling problems in the Folkestone area. I travelled home on a crowded 16.18 and had to stand as far as Orpington. The train arrived at Sevenoaks one minute early. When I boarded this train the Conductor was sitting in the First Class area whilst passengers were standing. He only moved when the Driver requested the Conductor to contact him over the PA system. Whilst waiting for the 17.00 service to depart an announcement at Sevenoaks advised passengers that main line services to London were being delayed due to the authorities dealing with an incident on a train south of Sevenoaks.
• Wednesday 08 June – A better start to the day, the 06.24 from Bat & Ball was on time arriving at Sevenoaks this morning. The 06.30 to Waterloo East departed Sevenoaks on time and arrived in London one minute early.

Week of 13 June 2016

Total lateness 77 minutes: Southeastern 27, Thameslink 50

• Monday 13 June – A bad start to the week by Thameslink. The 06.24 from Bat & Ball was cancelled however I suspect that this train was running late and was diverted via Orpington after Bickley because the 06.48 service to Blackfriars and Luton ran. The 06.42 service to Sevenoaks was on time. The 06.49 to Waterloo East was the service I used today; it was on time at Sevenoaks and arrived in London one minute early. This morning there was three small areas of graffiti on the up platform shelter wall at Bat & Ball Station which appeared to be “written” using a thick blue marker pen. This evening when I returned they had been removed/painted over. This is the first incident of graffiti appearing at the station that I have seen in a very long time. Congratulations to Network Rail/Southeastern for removing it so quickly.
• Tuesday 14 June – Another bad start to the day by Thameslink. The 06.24 from Bat & Ball was cancelled again. The 06.42 service to Sevenoaks was two minutes late arriving in Sevenoaks. The 06.49 to Waterloo East was one minute late departing Sevenoaks and arrived in London on time. I came home early on the 15.43 from Waterloo East today and then the 16.21 departure from Sevenoaks. Both services were on time. Yesterday I received my latest Delay Repay refund voucher from Southeastern but it was only for a half hour delay rather than the hour I claimed for. I telephoned Southeastern Customer Services and they acknowledged the mistake and agreed to send me a further voucher in this respect.
• Thursday 16 June – No work today but my destination was Whitstable to board the MV Balmoral for a cruise up the Thames through Tower Bridge turning in the Pool of London then back down the river to Gravesend. My rail journey commenced at Bat & Ball on the 06.16 to Swanley. I bought an Anytime Day Return ticket from Swanley to Whitstable from a self-service machine, £23.00. I boarded the 06.50 to Faversham which was one minute late arriving there. I continued my journey on the 07.54 departure to Whitstable which arrived on time. My return journey commenced on the 18.34 from Gravesend to Rochester. The train was held on a signal outside of Rochester and arrived one minute late at 18.50. I hurried to the departure platform for the 18.51 to Swanley and arrived there just as the train was being dispatched about twelve seconds early. I travelled from Rochester on the 19.06 to Bromley South arriving there at 19.34. I continued my journey home on the 19.44 departure at 19.49, arrival at Bat & Ball was nine minutes late at 20.19. I should have arrived at 19.43; another Delay Repay claim submitted. If accepted the amount paid will be interesting because the tickets covering this return journey where an Off-Peak single with Gold Card discount from Gravesend to Rochester (£3.45), an Anytime Day Return from Swanley to Whitstable (£23.00) and my Annual Season Ticket (£3,288.00).
• Friday 17 June – Heading to Lewes today. I commenced my journey on the 07.56 to Otford arrival there was on time at 08.00. At Otford I changed on to the 8.10 to Victoria. This was a class 377 Thameslink train number 377506 which departed at 08.13. This was the first time I have travelled on one of these trains to Victoria. Arrival at Victoria was two minutes behind time. Victoria to Lewes was uneventful. However; my return journey was disrupted by the industrial dispute on Southern. The 15.14 from Lewes to Victoria was cancelled at Haywards Heath. Chaos at Haywards Heath; only one member of staff on the platform, trains adjacent to platforms with the information screens displaying information that did not relate to the trains currently in the platform. Passengers were advised to travel to Gatwick Airport on a Thameslink train and change on to the Gatwick Express for Victoria. I decided it was better to stay on the Thameslink train and change on to a Victoria service at East Croydon. I arrived at Victoria twenty-seven minutes late. The 17.12 from Victoria was three minutes late at Otford. From Otford I took the 18.07 to Bat & Ball, departure was at 18.09 and arrival was on time at 18.14 at Bat & Ball. However: I should have arrived there at 17.44. Another Delay Repay claim submitted.

Week of 20 June 2016

Total lateness 64 minutes: Southeastern 51, Thameslink 13

• Monday 20 June – The information screen at the entrance to Bat & Ball Station was not working this morning. A bad start to the week by Thameslink. I am coming to the opinion that they cannot cope with wet conditions because frequently delays are experienced when there is even light rain. The 06.24 from Bat & Ball was six minutes late arriving at Bat & Ball and five minutes late at Sevenoaks. This service was incredibly slow this morning between Bat & Ball and Sevenoaks. The 06.43 to Waterloo East was the service I used today; it was on time at Sevenoaks and arrived in London one minute early. I travelled home on the 16.13 from Waterloo East which was one minute early arriving at Sevenoaks. This train used platform two this evening due to late running Thameslink services occupying platforms three and four. A bonus for me; I boarded the 16.30 to Bat & Ball which departed at 16.46 and arrived at Bat & Ball at 16.50. I was home thirteen minutes earlier than expected.
• Tuesday 21 June – The information screen at the entrance to Bat & Ball Station was not working again this morning. Train services on the main line were extra busy today and I only just got a seat in both directions. Presumably due to Southern passengers using these trains between Tonbridge and London due to the industrial action Southern Conductors were taking today.
• Wednesday 22 June – The information screen at the entrance to Bat & Ball Station was not working again this morning. I reported this to Southeastern when I arrived at work.
• Thursday 23 June – Not a good day, both morning and evening travel was disrupted. However it started well with the 06.24 from Bat & Ball arriving on time at Sevenoaks. There I discovered that the 06.30 to Waterloo East was cancelled this morning, no reason given. I travelled on the 06.43 which was not as crowded as I expected it to be. This train departed on time and arrived in London two minutes early. Chaos this evening. When I arrived at Waterloo East intending to travel on the 16.13 there was no sign of this train on the information screens or any other mainline trains heading out of London and very few suburban trains either which were all running late. The only option for travelling home was the late running 16.09 slow service to Sevenoaks. I boarded this service which was full and standing when it departed nine minutes late, fortunately I had a seat. On arrival at Sevenoaks eleven minutes behind time for this service, but personally my journey was already delayed by thirty minutes, it was discovered that Thameslink were also experiencing problems. Their trains were also running late and being cancelled. The problems experienced by both companies were attributed to the heavy rain causing flooding, power supply and signalling failures. Cannon Street Station was closed for some time due to signalling failures. I travelled to Bat & Ball on the 17.30 which arrived seven minutes late. Another half hour Delay Repay Claim submitted.
• Friday 24 June – The information screen at the entrance to Bat & Ball Station is still not working. The 06.30 to Waterloo East was stopped at the signal at the entrance to Polhill Tunnel, it was also stopped briefly at the signal in the tunnel. Accordingly, arrival at Waterloo East was five minutes late. The 16.13 from Waterloo East arrived one minute late again at Sevenoaks unusually at platform two. This was because Thameslink appeared to be having problems, both platform three and four were occupied by Thameslink trains. The one in platform three departed before I could cross the footbridge. When I reached platforms three and four the information screen showed that the train at platform four was the delayed 16.21 departure. I boarded this train and it departed Sevenoaks at 16.52.

Week of 27 June 2016

Total lateness 63 minutes: Southeastern 8, Thameslink 55

• Monday 27 June – The information screen at the entrance to Bay & Ball Station has now not been working for one week. An extremely bad start to the week today. Thameslink cancelled the 06.24 to Sevenoaks this morning and the 06.42 was shown as expected at 06.46 – not a good sign as potentially this would result in missing the 06.43 and 06.49 departures to London. I am sure that the 06.24 did run this morning because before the 06.42 arrived a Thameslink train ran through Bat & Ball towards Sevenoaks but did not stop. I did notice that there were two or three passengers on board therefore I assume that the train was running late and the decision was taken to run fast through some stations to make up time so as to reduce the delay to the return working which was seen arriving at Bat & Ball then sitting there waiting for the 06.48 departure time before the next service to Sevenoaks arrived here at 06.49; arrival at Sevenoaks was 06.52 when the 06.49 to Charing Cross could be seen departing. Southeastern were not doing much better today either, all fast services to London were running late. The 06.54 Cannon Street service was running late and too full, no seats appeared to be available therefore I decided to wait for late running 07.03 to Waterloo East. This train departed at 07.09 and was due in to London at 07.34 actual arrival time was 07.38. Another Delay Repay Claim submitted. Throughout my delayed journey to work this morning no announcements were made as to why the services were delayed and no information screen I saw was showing any reason for the delays. I looked at both Southeastern and Thameslink’s Websites when I arrived at work to see if the reason/s for the very poor service this morning were shown. Nothing specific to the trains I would have normally used on Southeastern but Thameslink were repeating the following reasons for late running and cancellation of their services; “Late train off depot”, “Radio system fault” and “Shortage of drivers”. At 08.30 Thameslink were already advising that the 22.00 from Sevenoaks to Blackfriars was cancelled due to driver shortage!
• Saturday 2 July – My destination was Sittingbourne today on arrival at Bat & Ball this morning I noticed that the information screen at the entrance to the station was working again. The 08.33 from Bat & Ball departed two minutes late and arrived at Swanley one minute late at 08.49. The 09.10 to Sittingbourne departed Swanley two minutes late arriving at Sittingbourne one minute late; unusually in platform three. I returned from Sittingbourne on the 15.33 which arrived at Swanley one minute late at 16.17. The 16.25 to Bat & Ball departed at 16.41 arriving there sixteen minutes late at 16.56. I noticed whilst I was on Swanley Station that there was a notice advising passenger of the toilets opening hours. Although according to the times advised on the notice they should have been open but they were locked shut. There were problems at Sevenoaks today; signalling problems in Sevenoaks tunnel caused delays and later in the day a train was on fire in the station. The cable between two carriages caught fire. I am told this delayed services for five hours.

Other points

Anybody using the London Underground recently cannot have failed to have heard announcements encouraging passengers to use their debit cards to pay fares, these state that the fare is the same as using an Oyster card. It occurred to me that it would be useful to establish if an Annual Season Ticket could be linked to a debit card to achieve the same discounted off-peak fares that can be obtained by linking it to a pay as you go Oyster card. I asked the staff at Southwark Station today if this was possible and they confirmed that it was.

On a lighter note; the BBC television programme “Mock The Week” asked the participants on a recent episode to suggest things that would not be heard on a train. In my opinion the best ones were as follows: –

• Quiet coaches are available to those passengers who have been shocked into silence by the price of their ticket
• Please mind the gap between the timetable and reality
• This announcement is for passengers moaning that this train is running ten minutes late. This is a Southern service; you are lucky to be on a train
• We are approaching Wimbledon, please change here for Tramlink, Underground, Overground and Wombling free