Standards on trains ‘hitting the buffers’
Jan 30 2008 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal
PASSENGERS travelling on North-East trains face some of the worst rail standards in Europe – with even toilets now under threat.
Arriva’s Cross Country service has been slammed by MPs, who said passengers have not seen any of the benefits of rising ticket prices on any cross border route.
Families booking tickets on some journeys face a “hopeless” task, one MP claimed, with train journeys in the UK among Europe’s most expensive. In a Parliamentary debate, the Aberdeenshire MP Malcolm Bruce said the most recent complaint figures showed the main three rail operators in the North-East between them had more complaints than the other 18 operators nationwide put together. And added to this was a threat by Arriva to scrap hot meals and some toilets as they look to increase carriage capacity by 35%.
Mr Bruce and his Liberal Democrat colleague Alan Beith MP are calling on the train operator to rethink its “unsatisfactory” policy.
Mr Bruce said: “When Arriva took over the cross border franchise, they said they would introduce older stock and reduce the number of toilets. They are reducing hot food arrangements as well.
“If their plan is to not have hot food and fewer toilets to fit more passengers on board, I would suggest that is actually offering more passengers less.”
Mr Bruce said other services in Europe are faster and cheaper. He called on the Government to look again at forcing train operators to limit ticket increases.
Berwick MP Alan Beith said Arriva’s policy would make rail travel a “nightmare” for some journeys.
“We know Arriva are going to make these changes and scrap hot food for standard class customers on journeys that can be up to 10 hours long.
“Berwick is a rail hub for the whole of the borders and it is vital we invest in these services.
“We do not want to see passengers treated like this, with the price of tickets, rail could be so much better.”
Peter Wood, North-East spokesman for passenger group Railfuture, said customers deserved better. “I’m not in favour of fewer toilets and I don’t think many passengers will be. Yes, passengers want more leg room and more chance to have a seat, but this should be achieved by longer trains and more coaches.”
A spokesman for Arriva said toilet changes were one option being considered as part of a review into increasing passenger capacity and luggage space.
