Ron Cox
When I used to commute from Thames Ditton station, leaving things until the last minute of course, Ron Cox's unflappable and methodical approach to issuing tickets to the three people ahead of me as the next train rumbled towards the platform would drive me mad. But I admired it nevertheless! It is no surprise that this Station Master extraordinaire has won prizes for employee excellence in the past, nor that this year he has won South-West Trains' Award for Customer Service Employee of the Year. He deserves it. Customers have always appreciated the efforts Ron makes to ensure that the station runs well, and the extra touches that make it an individual station worthy of the village. They sent in the customer recommendation form in droves, and passenger Alison Filday attended the award ceremony at the Richmond Hill Hotel with Ron on 4 October.
Beyond Ron's jigsaw in the waiting room, and flowers in the wheelbarrows along the platform, he is full of other good ideas to improve the station. South West Trains have just renewed their franchise for ten years. Much-needed investment in facilities will now be implemented. The recent railings on the access ramps were most welcome, especially on slippery mornings. A contract has already been signed to replace all the wooden fences at the station. A new ticket machine takes credit cards and offers tickets to many more destinations, while being proof against fraud and tampering that beset the old one. Further improvements will include an extension of the waiting room with toilet facilities, and negotiations are taking place to provide morning newspaper and coffee sales. Ron has permission to invite Esher College Art students to decorate the walls on the ramps with murals, for a more cohesive artistic experience. He's also secured prize tickets for a painting competition at Thames Ditton Junior School next Spring.
Since Ron took up his post, revenue from Thames Ditton Station has increased. A recent study by a local schoolboy revealed that some 700 passengers depart on the up line between 0700 and 1000 each weekday. On the down line, many passengers arrive in Thames Ditton each day to work in the village, plus some two or three hundred teenagers heading for Esher College - many of whom do pay for their tickets!
That the station has retained charm, recovered viability and has prospects of further improvement is a tribute to Ron. You'll be delighted to hear that he intends to carry on as long as he's able.