Penalty Fare Appeal Support

Penalty Fare Appeal Support – Advance notice of FCC Rail Offer.
First Capital Connect have decided to try and get more passengers travelling on their filthy grubby trains by bribing passengers with lower fares during the summer holidays.

During the school holidays (which FCC deems to be from 14th August – 5th September 2010), the current Super Off Peak weekend tickets will be extended to be valid in the week.
The offer will be available in the same areas as the weekend Super Off-Peak offer – the outer stations for journeys to London and for journeys from London to Brighton.

The catches that normal weekday restrictions will apply, such as you cant travel on trains arriving London before 10am or leaving London between 16:30 and 19:01.

During the same period, we are also offering customers the opportunity to travel to Brighton from ALL Thameslink and Great Northern route FCC-served stations North of London for 20% less than the normal Off-Peak Day Return fare (CDR). Again, this offer is only valid for travel on FCC services only.

Official customer notification will be made via local press, online advertising, posters at stations and email marketing from the 9th August, so you heard it here first!

We have been contacted by another site requesting publicly. We at PFAS are always happy to help fellow sites, that share the same beliefs as us, in getting extra traffic to their relevent websites.

The site in question, www.faresmanual.co.uk, has a lot of great resources which are available to anyone to download.

The site owners have also told us by e-mail that they are planning to do a lot more with the site in the future months ahead.

NFM06

Before the new ConDem government was voted in by nobody that we know, a petition was created which attracted just over 5,800 signatures demanding the Government strip FCC of its franchise.

The new government has taken it upon itself to finally respond!

However the response is pathetic, and stinks of someone from First Capital Connect actually writing it for the Government. The response acknowledges the unacceptable service late 2009 – early 2010. It then goes on to claim that because the action was concerted it was a force-majeure event!

You can read the full petition plus response on the HM Government website.

Major delays on East Coast mainline until around 20:00 tonight.

Due to major overhead wire damage in the Welwyn North area, all services are being severely disrupted and cancelled.

Delays of up to 120 Minutes can be expected

An internal notice, which we have had emailed to us, has stated the following:

“Customers are advised that owing to overhead line damage at Welwyn North, the majority of GN FCC services to and from London are being diverted via the Hertford Loop. FCC services are severely disrupted and subject to alterations. A limited service is still operating between Moorgate and Welwyn Garden City. Trains are currently not calling at Knebworth and Welwyn North. A replacement bus service is in operation to and from Welwyn Garden City and Stevenage calling at these stations but severe delays of 120 minutes or more can be expected for travel to and from these stations. A further rail replacement bus service is in operation between Stevenage, Watton-at-Stone, Hertford North and all stations to Alexandra Palace. We are sorry for any problems this may cause you. Staff can provide further information and assistance.”

The following alterations will apply:

East Coast

• A reduced service will run to and from London Kings Cross. These trains will call addtionally at Stevenage, and will be diverted between Stevenage and London Kings Cross via Hertford North causing extended journey times.
• Some trains will start from and terminate at Peterborough, and customers should use the next available train between Peterborough and London Kings Cross.

First Capital Connect

• Trains will run between Cambridge / Peterborough and London Kings Cross via Hertford North, causing extended journey times.
• Trains will run between Welwyn Garden City and London Kings Cross / Moorgate.
• Buses are replacing trains between Stevenage and Alexandra Palace via Hertford North, and also between Stevenage and Welwyn Garden City.
• Customers should use alternative routes and services where available (such as National Express East Anglia services between Cambridge / Hertford East and London Liverpool Street, and London Underground Northern Line services)

Planned Train Times From Kings Cross

• xx:06 & xx:36 past each hour calling: Finsbury Park, Stevenage, Hitchin , Letchworth, Baldock, Ashwell & Royston and Cambridge. Customers for Foxton, Meldreth and Shepreth change for Bus service from Royson (Shuttle)
• xx:22 past each hour to Peterborough. Calling: Finsbury Park, Stevenage then all stations to Peterborough.
• Kings Lynn to Cambridge – Shuttle Service. xx:56 from Kings Lynn and xx 35 from Cambridge
• All inner services are running as normal.

First Hull Trains / Grand Central

• Trains will be diverted between Stevenage and London Kings Cross via Hertford North, causing extended journey times.

This disruption is expected to continue until approximately 20:00.

Ticket acceptance

Customers may travel via any available train (either East Coast, First Capital Connect,First  Hull Trains or Grand Central) to make their journey between Peterborough and London Kings Cross.

East Coast customers only, may also use:

• East Midlands Trains between Sheffield and London St Pancras
• Virgin Trains between Edinburgh / Glasgow Central and London Euston

First Capital Connect customers may also use:

• National Express East Anglia trains between Cambridge and London Liverpool Street, and between Hertford East and London Liverpool Street
• London Underground and London Buses on all reasonable routes.

BBC to film on the Kings Lynn to Ely mainline.

The Kings Lynn to Ely train line is to be shown in the new 2nd series of the popular BBC Two series, Great British Railway Journeys. This historic line serves stations from Kings Lynn to Ely and Cambridge. Downham Market and Ely will feature prominently in this episode.

We have been informed that the BBC will be filming on the following dates, and the presenter Michael Portillo will be in attendance on the July listed date below.
21st June and 16th July:
13:48 Train departs Ely and arrives 14:04 at Downham Market.

22nd June  and 17th July:
09.10 Train departs Downham Market 09.25 at Train arrives Kings Lynn.

23rd June and 18th July:
08.59 Train departs Kings Lynn 09.29 at Train arrives Ely.

In what can only be described as heaven for most Thameslink commuters, Connex has been reported as expressing an interest in taking over the Capital Connect franchise, reports are saying.

Connex has approached the newly formed Department of Cockups, Railways and Passengers (DCRaP)

A spokesperson for Connex told us “If First can get away with the delays, driver shortages, lack of information, ignoring customers and major screw ups that they currently are getting away with, then we thought we might as well have a go as well.”
When asked about Connex South Eastern and Connex South Central the spokesman replied “We weren’t as bad then as First is now, yet we were stripped of our franchise, and First gets away with it! Hardly fair you think? We at Connex think the reason First are allowed to get away with it, is because a lot of back handers are being given to various people!”
“We will pretend to listen, will come up with some slogan that we think the passengers will want to hear. We will tell the drivers to work or else they will find themselves out of work and we will replace them with our European drivers.”
“We will actually run to a timetable, it may not be one that you’ll like but at least our trains will not be late.”
“We will pretend to claim that we are investing in whatever is the best thing at the time, but actually we wont.”

PFAS thinks that if Connex is allowed to take over the running of the Capital Connect franchise it wont do any further harm to an already poorly run franchise.

The new National Railway Passenger Survey was released today and makes interesting reading.
Overall most passengers are getting more satisfied with their rail journey. 83% of the 31,000 rail users questioned were happy with their rail journey this is a 2% rise since spring 2009.

The worst train company in the UK ‘award’ went to London overground with an Overall satisfaction of 72%.
First Capital Connect had the second worst satisfaction of 76%. Every other train company bar London Overground scored better. The average score for London Train Companies was 82%.

First Capital Connect performed worse in 19 categories.
Ticket buying facilities, Provision of information about train times/platforms, The upkeep/repair of the station buildings/platforms, Cleanliness, The facilities and services, Overall environment, The availability of staff, How request to station staff was handled, The frequency of the trains on that route, Punctuality/reliability (i.e. the train arriving/departing on time), Connections with other train services, Sufficient room for all passengers to sit/stand, The comfort of the seating area, The ease of being able to get on and off, Your personal security whilst on board, The cleanliness of the inside, The cleanliness of the outside, The availability of staff and How well train company deals with delays.
The worst category, which they lost 7 percent was, How well train company deals with delays.

FCC’s Customer Service Director Michelle Smart, has already released an internal misleading document, which says that they have only performed worse in 17 categories and then goes on to explain how they think that by giving select staff new blackberry phones, improving their website and improving their own internal website, it will help improve their figures next time. Truth is it wont, as passengers are getting sick and tired of FCC.

We have asked FCC to comment, but based on their past history of ignoring us, we don’t expect any response soon.

Get out of London with Oyster.

Some of the train companies in and around London & South East area in association with Oyster have come up with a great promotion for the forthcoming summer months.

PFAS has got a hold of this offer early and before it has been released to the General Public. The offer starts on Saturday 26th June 2010.

Participating train companies in the Oyster card holders ‘Get Out of London’ Adult Return promotional ticket offers are: c2c, Chiltern Railways, First Capital Connect, First Great Western, London Midland, National Express East Anglia, Southern, and South West Trains.

No other train companies are involved and the following are excluded: East Coast, East Midlands Trains, Grand Central, Gatwick Express, Heathrow Connect, Heathrow Express, Hull Trains, London Overground, Southeastern, Virgin Trains, Wrexham & Shropshire.

The Oyster card Adult Return promotional fares are valid for travel in Standard accommodation from London Terminal stations and are based on £5, £10, £15 and £20 price bands.

Each participating train company has decided on the destinations available on their lines of route and the price they will charge, plus whether it is available as an Adult Off-Peak Day Return or an Adult Off-Peak Return (one month return validity). Many Train Companies are additionally offering First Class Adult Return promotional fares (price and conditions also determined by the participating train company).

The Oyster card promotion will run between Saturday 26 June 2010 and Sunday 25 July 2010. Normal Off-Peak fare restrictions will apply – so available for travel on Sat-Sun any time and Mon-Fri outside of rush-hours as applicable.

Customers using the promotional Off-Peak Adult Return (one month return validity) may return within one calendar month subject to usual Off-Peak Return restriction, i.e. tickets issued for outward travel on 25 July 2010 are valid for return up to and including 24 August 2010.

Oyster card holders must visit www.daysoutguide.co.uk/oyster to get a detailed overview showing where and when they can travel and to download a voucher.

The promotional rail travel voucher from www.daysoutguide.co.uk/oyster will act as the customers entitlement to buy their ticket at the special Adult Return promotional rail fare. They must carry their Oyster card with them at all times and must produce both the voucher and card for ticket inspection.

The full internal briefing document can be downloaded here.

Full Terms and conditions:

1. The following types of Oyster card/Freedom pass are valid: Standard Adult Oyster card; 16+ Oyster photocard; 18+ Student Oyster photocard; Veterans Oyster photocard; Elite Athletes Oyster photocard; Visitor Oyster card; OnePulse Barclaycard; Staff Oyster photocards; Freedom pass (all versions).
2. To book your promotional ticket please present this voucher and your Oyster card/Freedom pass at a National Rail staffed station ticket office, either in advance (recommended) or on the day of travel. Bookings open on Monday 21 June and can be made at any time until Sunday 25 July 2010 inclusive. Please note that tickets cannot be bought from ticket vending machines, online or over the phone. We strongly advise customers to book ahead for their convenience and to avoid queuing on the day of travel.
3. Travel is available from Saturday 26 June 2010 to Sunday 25 July 2010 inclusive (date of outward travel as shown above). Normal Off-Peak fare restrictions apply to all promotional fares. This means you can travel any time on Sat-Sun and outside of rush hours on Mon-Fri as applicable. If you are using the promotional Off-Peak Adult Return (one month validity), your return journey can be made within one calendar month, e.g. tickets issued for travel on Sunday 25 July are valid for return up to and including Tuesday 24 August 2010.
4. Promotional tickets are only valid for journeys departing from London terminus stations. Customers may also join or alight at the intermediate stations where their train from/to London calls. Customers must make their own travel arrangements to travel to and from the London terminal station.
5. There are no specific Child discounted fares for this promotion. Children (aged 5-15) accompanying the Oyster card or
Freedom pass holder will pay the normal child fare (including child flat fares where available). Where the normal child fare for the journey costs more than the adult promotional fare, the child may be issued with the adult promotional fare instead (max. 4 children per adult and must travel together) – this will not require a separate downloadable voucher. There are no further discounts for Railcard holders.
6. You must present your voucher and your Oyster card/Freedom pass to train company staff. Only the following train companies are participating in the Oyster card/Freedom pass promotion: c2c, Chiltern Railways, First Capital Connect, First Great Western, London Midland, National Express East Anglia, Southern, South West Trains. Travel is not permitted on train services provided by any other train company or transport provider.
7. Promotional tickets are issued subject to the National Conditions of Carriage and normal refund and break of journey
conditions apply.
8. For a list of the destinations covered by the Oyster card/Freedom pass promotion, please visit www.daysoutguide.co.uk/oyster.

The RMT have announced strike dates for RMT maintenance members who work for tube lines (Piccadilly, Northern and Jubilee Lines) and also for staff on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR).

Staff on the DLR will not book on for shifts that commence between 04.00 hours on Wednesday 23rd June and 03.59 hours on Saturday 26th June, nor to work overtime between 00.01 and 23.59 on Monday 28th June.

Maintenance workers on the Piccadilly, Northern and Jubilee Lines and workers who operate the Tube Emergency Response Unit will not book on for shifts between 19.00 hours on Wednesday 23rd June 2010 and 18.59 on Friday 25th June 2010, and between 19.00 hours on Wednesday 14th July and 18.59 hours on Friday 16th July.

PFAS exclusive.

Update: Based on our sources and rosta contacts, we belive that we have identified the member of staff, however pending comment from FCC we will keep this information private for the time being. We will however release the name of this member of staff if we do not get an decent response from FCC.

We have been sent a screen shot of an internal website where First Capital Connect employees discuss many things from why they haven’t been told of major disruption (just like us the customers) or ideas such as having a fancy dress day.

It is on that last point, that we have been shown a disgusting statement from a member of FCC staff, we can only assume based on the user name is located at, Royston Platform.

The member of Royston Platform staff states

People who have a negative view to a huge group of proffesional people working hard and raising money should be lined up and hung personally.

Is this how FCC trains its employees to react to any negative comments? We were always told by FCC spokespersons over the years that FCC is a customer focused company! We our continuously told its “Your Journey, Your Choice, Your Railway”. So why do we still get abuse behind our backs from employees who obviously hate us the customer!

First Capital Connect’s internal Rules of Conduct policy states:

4.1. Personal Conduct

Employees must:

….

4.1.2. Relate to/treat colleagues, other employees (and customers) with respect, dignity and professional courtesy irrespective of race, sex, age, sexual orientation, religion, background etc. or any other inappropriate distinction.

The rules of conduct policy clearly has not been followed and as such this employee needs to be located, taken away from public facing duties, re-trained or at worse dismissed.

We have published the screen shot below, however we have obscured the user names and names of unrelated people.

We have asked FCC’s spokesperson Gareth Beazant to respond, but as seems to be normal they have ignored us.