domfjbrown said:
I've never had a problem with carpets or bins on First or Virgin. South West Trains on the other hand... ...well, EVERYTHING'S bad about their "service".
Damn straight - the electronic systems are supposed to be foolproof. How come tickets in seatbacks on First work better??
Do First run from Exeter to Birmingham? That's a new one on me. I don't see them running to Crewkerne either. Oh, and they don't do a Liverpool service either. Maybe I'm missing something here?
Some of us don't have a choice if we want any quality of life either. Some of us can't drive cars, nor ever will be able to, or for that matter, have access to someone that does. Some of us can't read bus numbers, and have to rely on trains due to the fact that you can hear an announcement telling you which platform it's on, then find the platform number, since it's not running towards you at ~30 mph so you might have a chance of reading the damn thing, unlike a bus number.
No, pigs and sheep don't have a choice, but maybe it's high time humans had as many rights. If Japan has a rail network that works properly (no seat, no travel) maybe the uK should wise up. Oh yeah, we can't - back to Thatcher and Beeching again.
I might be an idle winger about some things, but when trains are pretty much the only way I can get about unless I choose to sit on my ass in my house in my own town all year round, I think a bit of moaning about a service that wouldn't take much to improve is fair.
That's because the IC125s Virgin used were clapped out and badly maintained compared to the First ones - whenever I used to use those en route to Liverpool (changing at Birmingham onto clapped out Mk2 or worse) they were filthy, wobbly, and no attempt had been made to upgrade them from the original seats and interiors. Not pleasant. As a consequence, they kept breaking down.
All fair points but you seem to be confusing one or two.
I understand the disabled angle - I am no authority on this so will not comment for fear of coming across as a
total fool.
However, you make a lot of statements as though they are final.
Yes, Japan has a better rail service - you almost answered the question - it's all down to comitment, government policy and finance.
As I mentioned earlier - no one in this country is prepared to put in the multi-billions required.
There are also a lot of cultural differences that need taking into account.
I'm not from your neck of the woods but are you telling me your only choice of rail travel is down to one company?
I find that very surprising!
This may seem a trivial point but you state things like 'trains are pretty much the only way to get around' I have to comment.
You don't drive - why not take lessons? Even if it's only to reach a station where the on-board services are of a higher service.
Surely there are bus operators competing with the train services? Maybe a tad slower that the train but, still, it's another option.
As ever, whinge to your hearts content - I have no problem with that. Your money - your sub-standard service but it might be an idea to aim it at those that can change things.
To get back to my original point - Virgin losing the XC contract may seem pleasing at first (pun not intended) but, on a personal level it will devastate the lives of a few friends.
I'm trying to put things into context - this isn't a personal attack
