Monday 30 January 2012

Help With Travel During The Olympics

A useful website is now available offering information about transport hotspots during the Olympics this summer.  Details at: http://www.getaheadofthegames.com/

Saturday 28 January 2012

Marks Tey Station Improvements Complete

The new improved Marks Tey station was officially opened on Friday 27th January.

The station has been rebuilt by National Express East Anglia with investment of £2.2m as part of the National Stations Improvement Programme.

The improved facilities include:
  • New station building situated adjacent to the station forecourt comprising ticket office, customer toilets and new retail facility
  • New access ramp and stairs to the London bound platform which has been widened and new waiting shelters installed
  • On the Colchester bound platform and interchange with Sudbury line services, improvements include upgraded customer toilets and waiting room
  • A redesigned station forecourt provides a drop-off and pick-up area, as well as improved cycle and motor cycle parking
  • Improved signage, lighting and CCTV

Friday 27 January 2012

NXEA Come Bottom In Customer Satisfaction Survey

In the latest Customer Satisfaction Survey conducted by Passenger Focus, National Express East Anglia came a very poor last scoring only 77% - a full 3% less than the next worst performer First Capital Connect.  Rather worryingly Northern Rail - another Abellio franchise - only scored 83%.

On a more positive note Merseyrail, the third franchise with Abellio connections, came third overall with 93%.

Grand Central came top with an impressive 95%.

Thursday 26 January 2012

New Management For Abellio Franchise

With less than 2 weeks to go to the launch of the new Greater Anglia franchise, Abellio has announced the board of directors who will lead the company for the next 29 months.  Only one of the NXEA management team appears to have moved across.

  • Ruud Haket - Managing Director
  • Andrew Goodrum - Customer Services Director
  • Adam Golton - Finance Director
  • Thijs Jan Noomen - Projects Director
  • John Ratcliffe - Engineering Director
  • Nanouke van ‘t Riet - Operations Director
  • Andrew Camp - Commercial Director
  • Simone Bailey - Asset Management Director
  • Dave Welham - interim HR Director

Friday 20 January 2012

Rail Fare Rises in 2013 & 2014 To Stay At RPI+3%

The government has confirmed that rail fare rises at the start of 2013 and 2014 are to stay at RPI+3 per cent. The rise at the start of this month was kept to RPI+1 per cent, after a policy u-turn announced by the Chancellor at the end of November, but nothing was said at the time about what would happen in future years.

The confirmation has come in its announcement about the issuing of Invitations to Tender for the next Intercity West Coast franchise.

In a note attached to the ITT statement, the Department said: 'The ITT for the InterCity West Coast franchise follows the current agreed regulated fares policy as set out in the 2011 Comprehensive Spending Review – a rise in 2012 of RPI + 1 per cent and RPI + 3 per cent for 2013 and 2014, returning to RPI + 1% thereafter. Over the long term we are committed to reducing the cost of running the railways and the goal of ending the era of above-inflation fare increases.'

Wednesday 18 January 2012

Revised Planning Application For Beaulieu Park


Countryside Properties and its development partner, L&Q, have revised their outline planning application for a new railway station in North East Chelmsford. In a press release the company stated that "The proposals represent a major addition to the sustainable transport infrastructure of both the town and the county.  The application complements proposals for a new neighbourhood at Beaulieu Park, with up to 3,600 new homes and a total of 620,000 sq. ft. of commercial space incorporating a business park.

The station will include four platforms with passing loops that will bring efficiency and capacity benefits to the operation of the Great Eastern main line and therefore both to the county and region.  It will be a new transport hub where passengers can complete journeys using sustainable modes of transport. The proposals incorporate a bus interchange and substantial cycle parking.  It is expected that 60 per cent of passengers will travel to the station by non-car means. 

This improved facility is expected to reduce congestion at the existing Chelmsford station (which is the busiest commuter station in the Anglia region, outside London) and the reduced numbers of car trips will therefore assist in also reducing congestion in the town centre and on radial routes."

Changes To Departure Boards At Liverpool Street

Network Rail, NXEA and Atos are making plans to change the information currently displayed on the main departure boards at Liverpool Street.  The main board will be split into 3 sections as follows:


Section 1 will display services to: King’s Lynn,Cambridge, Stansted Airport, Bishop's Stortford, Hertford East, Enfield Town and Chingford

Section 2 will feature a ‘Special Notice’ display, giving passengers additional general information concerning train services.

Section 3 will display services to: Norwich, Ipswich, Harwich Town, Walton-on-the-Naze, Clacton-on-Sea, Colchester, Colchester Town, Braintree, Southminster, Southend Victoria, Shenfield and Gidea Park.

There will be no change to the current Stansted Express information on the main departure board.

It does not appear that the actual technology is changing so the most common criticism received about the clarity of the boards is not being addressed.

Monday 9 January 2012

NXEA 'Tweet The Manager'

There will soon be another opportunity for users of Twitter to talk to senior NXEA managers.  The next 'Tweet the Manager' session will be on 17th January between 1630 and 1830.  Train Planning and Performance Managers will be in attendance.  Use hashtag #ttmnxea