Introducing another ordinary commuter's story. Thanks @monkeybuxton for taking the time to write this. Gosh, if only there were something we could do to change this appalling abuse and complete monopoly over passengers:
I realised the other day that I've been travelling on SWTrains for
nearly 11 years. First in my bachelor days in Chiswick, then from
Twickenham as I began to settle down, and finally out to the very edge
of the M25 to start a family. And it's that little girl that's caused
the problem.
Delays and cancellations just used to mean 20 minutes standing on a
cold platform, or being half an hour later than everyone else to the
pub. But now it's more than that. Being late for work means I
sometimes don't work my contracted hours. But being late home means
that I miss that precious 30 minutes with my daughter. Just to dwell
on that for a moment, there are days when I don't see my daughter
because of the poor and unreliable service that my train company
provides, and that kills me.
It happened recently, on Valentine's Day, and I made my third ever
complaint. The guard shut the door in my face and the train left early
after a late connection forced me to do an unsuccessful 'Weybridge
Dash'. The nice man in Customer Services sympathised and empathised
(he has a daughter of his own and so completely understands how
frustrated I must be.) I've just had my reply; they've checked the
data and the train left on time, all correct procedures were followed,
it's up to passengers to be there 30 seconds before departure etc etc.
And that's when it struck me. You've got me SW Trains. Because of
where I've chosen to live, and because it's too far to cycle and the
traffic's so bad on the A3, you've got me. I'm slinking off defeated
with my tail between my legs. You don't care about me and I can't make
you. You win.
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