en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/720653 Comments by Finite http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment53802281 My suspicion is that he hasn't been taken in, but it's easier and cheaper for the government to do nothing. Customer satisfaction and an efficient service don't come into it. Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:42:38 +0000 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment53802281 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment53782830 I just hope Adonis is getting the full picture, rather than FCC's spin. Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:52:01 +0000 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment53782830 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment53776516 Looking at the wider issue, and related to Crapmaster's points made above.. I am really disappointed with Labour on public transport over the last 12 years. We need a publicly owned, centrally controlled, subsidised transport network like in France or Germany, the benefits of this to the wider economy and the reduction in car use (which in turn would reduce pollution) would more than justify this investment. I thought Labour understood this when they were elected in 97.. Turns out they were more interested in market forces and private investment, and we all know how that's turned out. Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:34:57 +0000 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment53776516 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment53776264 It's difficult to say.. This government is fundamentally conservative with a small and large C! They have never wanted to be seen doing anything that might look even vaguely left wing (god forbid) so they will treat taking the FCC lines back into public ownership as a very last resort. Having said that Adonis, despite being unelected, would appear to have more of a clue on public transport than most of his predecessors. My suspicion is that FCC will improve the service to the point where it was before November, ie shit but not falling apart, and the government will let the situation rumble on until the franchise is up for renewal. Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:31:16 +0000 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment53776264 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment53343334 yep, I went to a 'meet the manager' thing they did at Wimbledon station. I only spoke to a PR guy so I don't know if there actually were any managers there, but yes he was all sympathy and full of explanations, about how terribly put upon FCC were and how they were doing their best under pressure from the horrible unions, etc etc.. I think all that can realistically be achieved from the St Pancras meeting is that FCC realise how incredibly pissed off everyone is with them. It's for the government to act, so it would be more productive for people to keep up the pressure on MPs and London Assembly members. Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:39:48 +0000 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment53343334 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment52922083 And they cancelled my train last night.. this is pathetic What irritates me if that the DfT took 3 months to announce that the level of service was unacceptable, no other major European country would tolerate this for so long Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:39:52 +0000 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment52922083 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment52799272 So since the return to normality, I've had 3 late trains and my Sutton train home tonight is now cancelled. WHEN IS THE GOVERNMENT GOING TO GIVE THIS COMPANY IT'S MARCHING ORDERS?? Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:28:08 +0000 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment52799272 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment52788262 Good for you! Perhaps try cycling as well :) Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:42:01 +0000 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment52788262 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment52766510 Peter Lilley, blimey that's going back a bit.. The last time I heard from him he was ranting about single mothers in John Major's government! But yes, in this case he's bang on, this has gone beyond the joke. Tue, 19 Jan 2010 10:52:12 +0000 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment52766510 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment52761927 Thanks for that link, have just emailed it to my MP Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:54:39 +0000 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment52761927 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment52760410 So since FCC have announced a return to relative normality, all of the trains I've caught have been delayed. You'd think they might want to make a good impression in order to restore confidence, but apparently not.. Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:29:48 +0000 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment52760410 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment51520363 I went along to FCC's 'meet the public' stall at Wimbledon station a few weeks back, and gave them a piece of my mind (politely, of course). The PR bloke I spoke to made the following points: - FCC did not negotiate the driver's contracts, they inherited them from the previous operator - The contracts were negotiated by the unions (mainly ASLEF) in such as way that the drivers work 4 days a week, and everything else is overtime. Thus the drivers can do what they're doing at the moment, go on strike but without any of the legal requirements - The PR guy claimed that one of the problems with hiring new drivers is partly because of the time it takes, but also because the current drivers will go on strike if they see too many new staff coming in ..so basically his point was that the drivers have them over a barrel. However he dodged my points regarding FCC's people management, their profit margins or their rolling stock Although he did agree the service was crap. So that's ok then.. Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:59:31 +0000 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment51520363 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment47438417 Apparently FCC managers are having an open forum at Wimbledon station today (16/12), I think I might go along.. Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:36:39 +0000 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment47438417 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment45820387 Done! Fri, 4 Dec 2009 16:25:28 +0000 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment45820387 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment45788394 I just got a response from an email I sent to the adress you mentioned, Sherisse.Shelton-Smith@FirstGroup.com - Apparently this person isn't a PA to Moir Lockhead after all. However judging by the response I got it would seem FCC haven't enjoyed the barrage of emails they've been receiving. So now that the dispute is resolved for the time being, it would seem that we did in some small way contribute to the pressure on FCC to sort this out. People power in action! (and they offered me a £10 voucher, for what it's worth!) Fri, 4 Dec 2009 10:33:49 +0000 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment45788394 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment44772813 Just emailed Lord Adonis & the head of First Group, thanks for the info! I have a meeting with my boss to discuss the altered trains I'm being forced to get to and from work this afternoon, so if anyone has any update on negotiations between FCC and their staff that'd be handy. Cheers Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:46:34 +0000 http://www.firstcrapitalconnect.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-first-capital-connect.html#IDComment44772813