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News and Comment
TravelWatch East Midlands
- on bus passenger representation
Seminar 18th November
TWEM has announced details of it's next seminar, "A fairer deal for East Midlands public transport users?" See
our events page for more information. We also have a news release about this.
March 2008. "Accessing the Railway". TWEM is committed to achieving a better
deal for users of public transport, but we are conscious of the need for an
efficient transport system to meet the sometimes conflicting needs of all users.
Please go to our publications page to see the full report.
March 2008 - Response to DfT bus consultation.
TWEM strongly supports
the Governments' aim of strengthening bus passenger representation, indeed it is long overdue. The overall
aim of the bus passenger's "champion" should be "to make things better for passengers". See
our full reponse here.
28/11/07 - Comments on rail fare rise announcement by the ATOC
Passengers will be angry and disappointed that fares are going up again, especially as on most routes they have no choice about which train company to use.
BUT this is the reality of the Government’s strategy for our railways.
Passengers should brace themselves for fare rises from now until 2014 as their contribution to railway services nearly doubles from £5billion to £9billion
each year (and EMT for example are required to pay £133m to the Treasury -
they will rightly expect a better service for this.
Advice to passengers:
- Travel “off-peak” if possible
- Book in advance if possible
- Chose a saver or better still one of the many “special offers”
- If you qualify (student, older passengers & families get a RAILCARD – circa 30% off all fares
We only have a partial picture today (28/11/2007). The industry has published average figures which mask rises on individual routes. It looks like East Midlands Trains and Cross-Country customers are being hit hardest.
Many commuters will have to fork out hundreds of extra pounds for their next
annual season ticket.
If you have anything to say on this, you could do so
via our "have your say" area. The
train operators do visit this site.
Long awaited improvements welcomed for Derby Station
TRAVELWATCH EAST MIDLANDS welcomes the announcement by NETWORK RAIL that it is at last to remove the unsightly hoardings and transform the platforms at Derby station.
In all, £18M will be spent over the next 18 months as Network Rail dismantles, then completely rebuilds the platform canopies and install lifts to improve accessibility for less mobile passengers. Preliminary work will take place over the Christmas period and the work starts in earnest in February 2008 in four main phases:
- Phase 1 (February - May 2008): Demolition and reconstruction of canopies at platforms 1B, 2B & 3B
- Phase 2 (June - September 2008): Demolition and reconstruction of canopies at platforms 4B & 6B
- Phase 3 (September - December 2008): Demolition and reconstruction of canopies at platforms 4A, 5 & 6A
- Phase 4 (January - June 2009): Demolition and reconstruction of canopies at platforms 1A, 2A & 3A
In each phase, the existing platform canopies will be dismantled before
new steel and glass canopies are constructed, making the platforms look
more modern and bright. We understand that there will also be new cafés on
platforms 4 and 6, along with new first class and standard waiting rooms and
new toilets. A new waiting room is also to be created on platform 2, along with
new gents, ladies and disabled toilets. Most importantly, new lifts will be constructed from the station footbridge to platforms 2, 3, 4 & 6
During construction the station will remain open, but certain platforms will
have to be closed at different points throughout the project and there will
be some changes to timetabled services, particularly at weekends. Network
Rail is working closely with East Midlands Trains to ensure passengers are
kept informed and posters at the station will shortly be posted, with any
changes to train services and station car parking arrangements.
Details of consequential service changes will be available on
the Network Rail website.
When it's all done, it should look like this:-
Pictures from Network Rail.
COMMENT ON AWARD OF FRANCHISE TO STAGECOACH
TravelWatch East Midlands has cautiously welcomed the announcement that
Stagecoach Group has been awarded the contract to run the East Midlands rail franchise from
November 2007, but has expressed concern at prospective above-inflation rises in some fares.
Please see our full statement and press release on this. (pdf format).
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