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How would you run your own railway?

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GodAtum

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The London Assembly Transport Committee has launched an investigation, asking whether and how the Mayor’s proposals could help improve services for rail users. Key questions we will ask include;
  • What are the key problems with National Rail services in London that need to be addressed?
  • How does the current system in London compare to those in other world cities?
  • What would devolution mean for passengers, in terms of fares, reliability, crowding, information, and so on?
  • What are the strengths and weaknesses of the London Overground model for delivering rail services?
  • Which rail franchises or routes should be the priority focus for the Mayor and TfL in devolution proposals?
  • How can the Mayor and TfL ensure that the interests of passengers outside London are reflected in any new rail devolution settlement?
  • How can the Mayor and TfL improve their proposals for the devolution of the South Eastern franchise?

We welcome submissions from organisations and individuals with views and information to share on this topic.

Please address any of the questions above, and any other issues you think are important.

Download our call for views and information below for more information.

Whether you’re a rail passenger, train operating company, local authority, public body, rail industry worker, campaigner or transport expert – we want to hear from you.

To contribute, please send submissions to the Committee by the deadline of 1 July 2015 using the details below.

[email protected]
Richard Berry,
London Assembly,
City Hall,
The Queen’s Walk,
London SE1 2AA

http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor-asse...stigations/how-would-you-run-your-own-railway

Here is my submission:

1/ What are the key problems with National Rai l services in London that need to be addressed?


During the morning peak, the South West Trains trains going towards London Waterloo are extremely crowded. At Clapham Junction it is almost impossible for passengers to board the trains on platform 10. I would advise that those trains are made alight only, with anyone wanting to go to Vauxhall or Waterloo to take a bus.

I also wish to highlight ticket avoidance on trains. Both on Southern and South West Trains, many passengers sit in 1st class without the correct ticket.

Along with this, my colleges, along with myself, feel unsafe when travelling on late night trains. There have been many incidents at Clapham Junction where I have had to flee for my life. There are gangs of feral youths prowling the trains towards East Croydon. We would feel much safer if there were more BTP patrols.

6/ What are the strengths and weaknesses of the London Overground model for delivering rail services?

London Overground should only take over services with no 1st class, such as South West train’s services running the class 455. London Overground must not take over services running stock with 1st class.

On a positive note, passengers could make use of Oyster cards instead of paper tickets and Metropolitan Special Constables will get free travel.

10/ How can the Mayor and TfL ensure that the interests of passengers outside London are reflected in any new rail devolution settlement?

Any passenger who chooses to live next to a backwater station does have my sympathy. Everytime my fast train goes past those poor sods standing at somewhere like Esher I feel pity.
 
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Pinza-C55

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As for the first question "What are the key problems with National Rail services in London that need to be addressed?"
The key problem is that there is no "National Rail Service". It is simply a disorganised jumble of private companies and franchises.
 

Bletchleyite

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During the morning peak, the South West Trains trains going towards London Waterloo are extremely crowded. At Clapham Junction it is almost impossible for passengers to board the trains on platform 10. I would advise that those trains are made alight only, with anyone wanting to go to Vauxhall or Waterloo to take a bus.

"I'm all right, Jack"?

Surely a better way of dealing with this is to consider a recast of the timetable such that a service is provided that allows boarding of trains at those stations? Such as perhaps a Waterloo-Clapham Jn shuttle in the manner of the Watford shuttles?

Along with this, my colleges, along with myself, feel unsafe when travelling on late night trains. There have been many incidents at Clapham Junction where I have had to flee for my life.

When you have *had* to, i.e. a weapon was used against you and you had to run to avoid being knifed/shot? Or where you felt unsafe or thought a weapon may have been being carried? Perception is a powerful thing, but I think the hyperbola (if that is what it is) doesn't overly help the cause.
 

matt_world2004

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I would remove first class services on commuter services they are a waste of capacity.
 

extendedpaul

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Deregulate all First Class am peak between Clapham Junction and Waterloo/Victoria only.

I'm sure the first class ticket holders can put up with a few lesser mortals for 10 minutes or so. :roll:

Must admit I've never encountered a gang of feral youths prowling a train looking for trouble anywhere on the rail network. I'm sure it happens but not an everyday occurance surely. The OP's choice of words and phrases suggests a somewhat negative attitude towards significant numbers of people.
 
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matt_world2004

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Deregulate all First Class am peak between Clapham Junction and Waterloo/Victoria only.

I'm sure the first class ticket holders can put up with a few lesser mortals for 10 minutes or so. :roll:

Must admit I've never encountered a gang of feral youths prowling a train looking for trouble anywhere on the rail network. I'm sure it happens but not an everyday occurance surely. The OP's choice of words and phrases suggests a somewhat negative attitude towards significant numbers of people.

I have only had one incident involving youths in two years of working on public transportation plenty of incidents involving pensioners though.
 

theageofthetra

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Making stations secure and manned until end of service would be the big one for me. All stock to be retrofitted with air con or replaced would be great.
 

TheNewNo2

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Lots of clearance between tracks and trackside objects, along with windows you can lean out of if you want.
 

Mag_seven

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All trains loco and coaches - all seats arranged in bays of four round tables with seats that line up with the windows. Windows that open. Oh hold on a minute, I've just described the BR Mark 2b coach. :)
 
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