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CJB666
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« on: July 11, 2018, 15:29:44 » |
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Govia Rail boss orders commuters OUT of first class on a late and packed train ... then takes up two seats himself Mark Boon - Operations Director of Southern Rail's parent company Govia Thameslink - told passengers to stay out of the carriage on a packed service, as he plonked his bag down in the next seat. Passenger Emma Fitzpatrick (inset) took a photo of him with his things spread over two seats while other passengers had to squeeze into the rammed doorway of the adjoining carriage. The photo sparked outrage on social media among Southern Rail passengers who have endured months of delays and strikes. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5941487/Rail-boss-took-two-seats-ordering-commuters-class-packed-train.html |
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bobm
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« Reply #1 on: July 11, 2018, 15:52:07 » |
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It is contained in the article linked to - but in case the link dies for any reason in the interests of balance, here is the rail company's response. A Govia Thameslink spokesman said: 'Passengers need a first class ticket to travel in first class and there were other people with first class tickets in this compartment.
'This was an 11am off-peak service running just six minutes late and, while the front coaches were busy, there were seats and space in the rear coaches, as Mr Boon explained.' Posted for the record in my role as an admin.
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Thatcham Crossing
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« Reply #2 on: July 11, 2018, 17:39:28 » |
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He might well have been entitled to do what he did (by that I mean sit in first class, and use a spare seat for what looks like a drivers rucksack), but to throw his weight around like that suggests the only thing he's capable of managing is a PR▸ disaster for his employer!
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martyjon
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« Reply #3 on: July 11, 2018, 18:09:24 » |
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Govia Rail boss orders commuters OUT of first class on a late and packed train ... then takes up two seats himself Mark Boon - Operations Director of Southern Rail's parent company Govia Thameslink - told passengers to stay out of the carriage on a packed service, as he plonked his bag down in the next seat. Passenger Emma Fitzpatrick (inset) took a photo of him with his things spread over two seats while other passengers had to squeeze into the rammed doorway of the adjoining carriage. The photo sparked outrage on social media among Southern Rail passengers who have endured months of delays and strikes. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5941487/Rail-boss-took-two-seats-ordering-commuters-class-packed-train.htmlLooks as if he might have nicked the antimacassar from the headrest of the seat he is sat in. |
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trainbuff
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« Reply #4 on: July 11, 2018, 18:23:20 » |
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Clearly no guard to help order the situation. Maybe if he had kept them their would have been no need to act as he did. Just maybe........Devils Advocate!
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Invest in Railways in Devon and Cornwall!
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grahame
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« Reply #5 on: July 11, 2018, 18:33:21 » |
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Also on the BBC» where it's the fifth most read item of news A Govia Thameslink manager is under fire for telling passengers to stay out of a crowded train's first class cabin.
Emma FitzPatrick tweeted a picture of Mark Boon, head of network operations for Govia Thameslink Railway. She said he told passengers not to occupy the "empty" first class section on a "very packed" train on Tuesday morning "while he took up two seats".
Govia Thameslink said all passengers needed a first-class ticket to travel in that section.
Ms FitzPatrick and Mr Boon were on a Southern service that arrived at London Victoria shortly before midday on Tuesday.
Mr Boon sat at a table in first class and placed his bag on the empty seat next to him, telling passengers without first class tickets they would need to remain in the standard class section. |
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« Last Edit: July 11, 2018, 18:56:47 by grahame »
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Coffee Shop Admin, Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, TravelWatch SouthWest Board Member
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Timmer
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« Reply #6 on: July 11, 2018, 19:10:57 » |
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The rights or wrongs of his actions aside, this is disastrous PR▸ for massively under fire GTR. Along with the story given, the picture looks awful of those standing behind him whilst his bag gets a seat.
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #7 on: July 11, 2018, 20:33:41 » |
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The rights or wrongs of his actions aside, this is disastrous PR▸ for massively under fire GTR. Along with the story given, the picture looks awful of those standing behind him whilst his bag gets a seat.
It just serves to further demonstrate how totally inept & out of touch TOC▸ senior management are, and the contempt in which they hold their customers, and I very much include Hopwood in that equation.......let them eat cake! (.....if there's a buffet on the train to sell it to them! |
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eightonedee
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« Reply #8 on: July 11, 2018, 20:56:13 » |
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...to say nothing about possible misuse of an antimacassar!
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broadgage
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« Reply #9 on: July 11, 2018, 21:30:28 » |
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He is of course correct in that a first class ticket must be held to use first class.
It sets a poor example to take up a seat with his bag.
Reports in todays newspaper also state that standard class elsewhere on the train was less crowded.
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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard.
It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc.
A 5 car DMU▸ is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
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Timmer
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« Reply #10 on: July 11, 2018, 21:41:52 » |
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He is of course correct in that a first class ticket must be held to use first class.
It sets a poor example to take up a seat with his bag.
Reports in todays newspaper also state that standard class elsewhere on the train was less crowded.
I think it’s possibly the attitude in the way it was handled. Why was he handing out his business card? |
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broadgage
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« Reply #11 on: July 11, 2018, 21:51:01 » |
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I have seen a senior FGW▸ manager evict standard class passengers from first class on a busy train. Some years ago.
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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard.
It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc.
A 5 car DMU▸ is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
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paul7575
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« Reply #12 on: July 11, 2018, 22:18:09 » |
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I wonder if the person who took the photo, and thereby got their 15 mins of fame, had a first class ticket?
Paul.
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JayMac
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« Reply #13 on: July 11, 2018, 22:50:11 » |
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I wonder if the person who took the photo, and thereby got their 15 mins of fame, had a first class ticket?
I don't. Pointless supposition. |
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"A clear conscience laughs at a false accusation."
"Treat everyone the same until you find out they're an idiot."
"Moral indignation is a technique used to endow the idiot with dignity."
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #14 on: July 12, 2018, 06:28:47 » |
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I have seen a senior FGW▸ manager evict standard class passengers from first class on a busy train. Some years ago.
I have seen a train manager having to almost physically evict GWR▸ staff sitting in First class on an overcrowded Penzance-Paddington Sunday train (they ran in those days) in order to allow a couple of elderly paying customers to sit down (the call had already been made over the tannoy for those travelling on staff passes to give up their seats, they didn't identify themselves but another member of the crew recognised them and pointed them out to the TM‡). |
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