The "Cancelled" 05:54

For the second time in recent months we have had another instance of a train being "cancelled" only for passengers to see it hurtle through Manningtree station less than half empty.  Yesterday's 5:54 ex Manningtree to Liverpool Street was "cancelled" due to Level Crossing problems at Diss.  However the train passed through Manningtree (and Colchester too).  As before, a passenger from Stowmarket who uses this train confirmed there were less than 10 passengers in their carriage - this in a train with standing room only on a normal day. 

The MRUA understands that the Controller took this action as the train was running 17 minutes late and there was a danger of the return service being delayed.  A cynic may think this demonstrates very clearly that statistics showing trains running on time are more important to Greater Anglia than providing good Customer Service.

The MRUA awaits a full explanation.

New Manningtree - Liv St Season Ticket Price

For information the proposed price increases will see an annual season ticket from Manningtree to London go up from £4,860 to £5,161.  That is an increase of £512 in 2 years. Extraordinary really.

"Above Inflation Rail Fare Increases Are A Tax On Users"

The Essex Rail Users Federation , of which the MRUA is a member, has this morning issued the following press release:

“The new rail fare increases are grossly unfair and a tax on Essex rail users” says the Chairman of Essex Rail Users Federation, Derek Monnery.

The Rail Minister, Theresa Villiers, said on Breakfast television this morning that a 3% surcharge on fares was to be charged in January 2013 to pay for rail improvements.  However, Essex is not the beneficiary of any of the planned rail investment with all of it being spent elsewhere.   So the 3% rise is effectively a tax on rail fares. 

Even this might be tolerable if the rail service was good.  Rail passengers have persistently scored local train operators near the bottom of the national poll for rail satisfaction.   This is due to the scruffy condition of much of the rolling stock and repeated infrastructure failures causing train delays.

Derek Monnery concluded “Without serious investment in the Essex rail network a 3% surcharge on our fares is quite unjustifiable.  We are already starting to receive angry feedback from Essex rail users.” 

Buy And Print Tickets At Home

A pilot scheme has been introduced to enable passengers to purchase and print tickets at home.  The pilot will be available on the London - Norwich route, connecting stations from Harwich, connecting trains from Sheringham and connecting stations from Great Yarmouth to London.

Passengers will be able to book and pay for their tickets online and then choose to print them at home or if they prefer download them to the Greater Anglia phone app.

The pilot will be rolled out over the remainder of connecting stations into the mainline and any other routes where advanced tickets are available.

Details at www.greateranglia.co.uk 

Greater Anglia Smart Phone App Updated

Greater Anglia (GA) have updated their smart phone app to add more features.  Highlights include:

• The ability to search for stations close to customers' location and obtaining train times from that station including next departure.
• The GA Twitter Feed is now embedded within the app providing up to date information about services.
• Additional information for passengers traveling onwards to London, including a journey planner ad live updates about the status of the tube and London buses.

These features are in addition to the existing facilities that include the ability to book train tickets, check train times for future journeys and view live departure boards at all UK rail stations.

The free app is available on iPhone, Android, Blackberry and Windows phones.