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

Season Ticket Prices to Go Up by 8%

The government today confirmed the July RPI figure of 5%.  Season ticket prices are set to go up by RPI + 3 which means an increase of 8% in January.

National Express Profits Increase

National Express has seen profits from its regional rail operations rise by £11m this year.  The group which runs trains on the C2C franchise out of Fenchurch Street as well as the NXEA operation said operating profits from its UK rail division rose from £16.1m in the first half of 2010 to £27.1m in the first six months of this year.

The group credited the tight control of costs, the “relatively stronger economies of London and the South East”, and increasing rail revenues - up by 8pc to £335.1m - for the rise in profits.

NXEA Launch iPhone App

National Express East Anglia NXEA has launched an iPhone App to enable passengers to check for up to date information whilst on the move.  The application shows the same 'rainbow board' that is on the NXEA website and users can drill down for further information.

The App is available free of charge via iTunes.