May be of interest........

[whole diary]

[moonrakerz]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/5951500/Have-you-felt-mistreated-by-a-train-ticket-inspector.html

[Henry]

 No interest at all to me......travelling on the Railway for 50 years I've had more good experiences, but I suppose they are not news worthy.

 Now if they asked about BT,Sky TV,Plumbers,Builder's, Gas/Electricity Board, Indian call centres.

[John R]

I've just posted a comment in support of the railway staff. What a loaded question, but typical of the Torygraph anit rail agenda which they have pursued for many years.

[moonrakerz]

Perhaps both the previous posters should read some of the comments instead of just carping: They are doing exactly what many people do about the railways - open their mouths before being aware of the facts !  "Pots and kettles" spring to mind.

I quote:
"I am a regular traveller on First Great Western between Cornwall and London. I have only ever experienced - and witnessed - rail staff deal with those issues with the greatest courtesy. Well done FGW^▸ (First Great Western)!"

(Presume it would have been "gospel" had it been printed in the Gruniad!)

 

[devon_metro]

I can't remember the last time my ticket was physically checked!

Normally, see the wallet with a variety of tickets (with the "FGW^▸ (First Great Western) STAFF RRG" on show of course  ) and reply "yeh - fine" or something along those lines

[devon_metro]

Whats the betting that some journo has been kicked out of First, or charged up?  Cynical, moi?   

It seems somebody by the same identity as you has commented on the telegraph! Funny that 

[Chris from Nailsea]

Hmm ^

Well, as it^s been raised here, I have indeed now read all 50 of the comments made so far on the Telegraph^s website (because I have time on my hands, or I need to get out more?) 

Two things strike me about that Telegraph article:

1.  The journalist writes just three sentences, then sits back while 50 other people write his column for him?  Good work if you can get it, I^d say?

2.  The resulting comments are split three ways ^ one third ^for^ the motion ("Oh, yes, I^ve been bullied by those Gestapo revenue inspectors!"); one third against ("no, the staff are doing a difficult job very well") and the other third picking up other posters on their spelling or grammar.

As it all seems to be devoid of any element of moderation, quality control or any requirement for comments (however outrageous, and no matter how historic (incidents quoted from BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) SR^‡(resolve) days, for goodness^ sake!)) to be backed up by evidence, just what is the point of it all?

[devon_metro]

Quite interesting reading the comments. Perhaps some of the cases the RPIs^▸ (Revenue Protection Inspector (or Retail Price Index, depending on the context)) were a little heavy handed, but they do get a lot of rubbish said to them. Perhaps lie detector tests should be compulsory 

One of the comments made me chuckle: (something along the lines of the following)

"If there are no seats in standard, should get free upgrade to First."


Errr, no, you pay the privilege to "go in the first" or sit it slum class. (or hope the grip is friendly and offers you a premium seat for no extra charge )

[Chris from Nailsea]

Indeed, devon_metro:

It's not unreasonable to expect to get a seat if you pay the fare. If there's no seat in 2nd class but spare capacity in 1st then you should be entitled to a free upgrade.

Priceless! 

[bemmy]

I don't know what the world's coming to, if there are Telegraph readers who don't understand the need to segregate the elite from the riff raff! 

[moonrakerz]

A bit more from today's "Torygraph's anti rail agenda" !

"SIR – Before the Government spends ^1 billion electrifying the London to Cardiff railway line, as it proposed last month, perhaps it might consider much-needed and long-awaited improvements to the backup route via Gloucester.

That route is heavily used during the frequent closures of the Severn Tunnel for flooding or repair. Part of the backup route (the 12 miles from Swindon to Kemble) has been a single track since 1968, with a capacity of only two trains in each direction per hour.

Returning to two tracks between Swindon and Kemble would be of greater benefit to rail travellers from south Wales, and would also provide much-needed improvements for those travelling to Gloucester, Cheltenham and the south Cotswolds.

Phil Jones
London W11"


I must say the fish are biting exceptionally well this weekend !