Southworst Trains

Sorry I have to have a small rant here...
I just tried catching the 11:04 bus only to see it drive by at 11:01...

In fact no one that I saw got on at TD but at least 4 other people wanted to travel.

One lady was standing between the platforms and I think just took a cab in the end as could not face another 30 minute wait.

There are signs saying services depart from platform 2 and then a smaller sign indicating the bus service.

Chaos again this morning. Due to a signalling failure at New Malden the only way to reach Wimbledon was to travel to Clapham Junction, then go back to Wimbledon. There was an announcement at Surbiton advising passengers to do this, but it was announced at Thames Ditton, and only after several trains had departed Surbiton for Clapham - so time was wasted unnecessarily. On Tuesday the excuse was that the train was delayed by another late train. And last Friday the mayhem was due to a broken down train. Perhaps better servicing of trains and signalling would avoid these failures - although Southworst claim they are investing in the network...

The worst feature of all this is the sense that we, as customers and passengers, are powerless to do anything to improve the service, and the government are defending Southworst and Network Rail.

And the joy continues - signal failure platforms 1-4 at Waterloo so it's into their "emergency plan" which means screw over the Thames Ditton/Hampton Court customers. The amount of delays we've had so far this year is shocking.

Dreadful!

Is there an alternative up to London other than taxi? Just looked at a 'pocket timetable' for next Saturday when I'm supposed to be going up and the journey with buses takes about 1 hr 30min each way - if it runs as scheduled, which it no doubt won't.

For. 6 weeks I'm told

that should be 'bus to Clapham'

Looks like its the same plan next weekend - shuttle to Surbiton, but the Clapham - all weekend.
So, basically, no service.

Last night was an absolute joke. Heading to the 02 and went to get the train to Waterloo. Arrived on platform to be told no trains from P1 so go to platform 2, then train arrives to platform 1. Cue everyone racing back around yet again.

Get on train and it terminates at surbiton where they have a bus to take you to... Clapham junction!

I abandoned that because I knew it would never get us there on time so got an Uber to Waterloo.

A 35 minute journey took an hour 45 and cost £35 plus whatever the train was from TD to surbiton.

Stunning.

http://m.surreycomet.co.uk/news/11723450.Transport_for_London_to_review_train_fare_hike/

http://m.surreycomet.co.uk/news/11723450.Transport_for_London_to_review_train_fare_hike/]

I can understand how it's a bonus for people who don't work enough days in London to benefit from a weekly or monthly ticket.

However, by robbing Peter to placate Paul they are removing any incentive to travel 'off peak' thereby causing more overcrowding at peak times.

It will be good for the likes of Kingston as people find it harder to justify the cost of going up to London on shopping trips, but for the same reasons bad for the cultural enrichment of our children.

Though anyone who travels into town on a regular but not daily basis on PAYG Oyster is now better off at a capped £11.70 with no distinction between the old 'peak' and 'off peak'. For many commuters this is a real bonus and though the leisure traveller has been hit with an increase most regular users should see a benefit.

I used my Oyster yesterday, first time since the New Year, to go into central London. When I checked it this morning the fare had gone up 9.5%!

I was also truly shocked when I saw this increase - it's outrageous. The biggest increase was the Z1-6 travelcard. Anyone in Z1-3 is better off.

I think it is now cheaper to always use Oyster.



I guess the only slight good news is you don't have to wait until off-peak before you travel as the daily cap is the same.

I only use it whenever I absolutely have to now.