Your Thoughts On Fare Increases Wanted

Keo Films is making a programme for BBC1 to be broadcast in January to coincide with the fare increases. They are very keen to make contact with as many rail passengers as possible so they can record your experiences, monitor rail performance by both the train operators and Network Rail.

They are looking for people who are willing to take part in this nationwide experience. If you are interested please email emily.wallis@keofilms.com and they will be in touch.

NXEA Successor To Be Dutch?

There are reports in the media that the successor to NXEA will be the Dutch company, Abellio. The Department for Transport has declined to comment but an announcement is due this month.  A short 29 month franchise running from next February is being bid for the Greater Anglian area and a permanent 15 year contract could follow if the line is well managed.  As well as Abellio, Stagecoach and Go-Ahead are bidding for the franchise.

Leaf Fall Timetable Commences

Today sees the commencement of the Leaf Fall Timetable.  Certain train times will be altered to take into account the possible effect of fallen leaves on the line. Passengers are advised to check train times before traveling

Increase In The Number Of "SPADS" By NXEA

It is being reported that NXEA has brought in industry experts to review safety measures after an increase in the number of trains that passed red signals.  The number of Signals Passed At Danger (SPADS) had been running at about one per million train miles in 2005 - 2009 but this number dropped to only nine in 2010.  However the number is creeping up again this year prompting the safety review.

The vast majority of incidents happened as trains passed the signals by only a few feet, often because of slippery rail conditions.  However, every incident is logged and investigated fully.

The Halcrow Group, commissioned by NXEA to carry out a review of procedures, found that "NXEA is implementing a number of initiatives and Halcrow considers these to be setting the benchmark against which industry good practice is measured."

Ticket Office Closures

It is being reported that one in four tickets offices in England and Wales are facing closure.  The TSSA union said the list appears in a report drawn up by Sir Roy McNulty on how to achieve savings in the railway industry but is 'buried' in the small print and does not appear in the Executive Summary.  The stations in Essex that face losing their ticket offices are as follows:

• Alresford
• Chafford Hundred
• Dovercourt
• East Tilbury
• Elsenham
• Frinton-on-Sea
• Great Bentley
• Harlow Mill
• Harwich International
• Newport (Essex)
• Ockendon
• Prittlewell
• Roydon
• Rye House
• Sawbridgeworth
• Shoeburyness
• St Margarets (Hertfordshire)
• Stansted Mountfitchet
• Thorpe-Le-Soken
• Waltham Cross
• Walton-On-Naze
• West Horndon
• Wivenhoe

ERUF is of the opinion that such a strategy would probably cost the railways more in fare evasion and people not being able to find the information/ticket they need and therefore making alternative travel arrangements, than this measure would save

NXEA Now On Twitter

National Express East Anglia now has official Twitter account.  Follow them at @NXEastAnglia

Season Ticket Prices - How Much?

The Essex Rail Users Federation has compiled a table that shows the percentage of gross salary the new season ticket prices in north Essex will be.  If you would like a copy please email us at info@eruf.org