Needs a lot of work to get it as good as Europe (South Eastern Trains)

Member Name: charltonFC

Product:	South Eastern Trains
Date:	04/12/08 (554 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: None

Disadvantages: EVERYTHING

Until i started working in London, i had never really used trains as a means of public transport, i've always used buses and taxis (well my Dad).

So from 2nd February 2004, my morning commute would start from Beckenham Junction train station. The good thing about Beckenham Junction station is it has a tram line there too, so you can easily get to Croydon or Wimbledon without too much hassle.

** South Eastern Trains**

South Eastern Trains covers Kent, South East London, and East Sussex. Around 145,000 commuters use the train service every morning.

We all know we don't have the best transport system in the world, and South Eastern Trains proves just that. I hated my 20 minute journey to and from work each day, it was the worst part of my day. I train i usually got in the mornings stopped at Bromley South before it stopped at my station, so time it got to me, it was packed and getting on it was a bit of a struggle. This was the case 4/5 days a week, which is 80%.

The trains in the morning were not always the cleanest, and in the winter freezing cold. Over the pasat four years i have experienced nothing but problems with train cancellations, or train delays.

I totally understand from time to time South Eastern will experience problems, but when the problems are every other day, you start to think something not right, and needs to be done.

I've been to Europe many times and used their trains, and i have never experienced problems. Considering trains in Europe travel all over Europe, its strange they can still be reliable and not cause their customers delays or cancellations.

** Customer Service**

What time do you think stations are at there busiest? 6.30am - 9am maybe? so why does Beckenham Junction station only have 2 people selling tickets. It really frustrates me because if i need to line up for a ticket, i'm normally always clock watching so i don't miss my train. There is nothing worse than missing you train by a few minutes then waiting 15-20 minutes for another, and then having to explain to your boss why your late. Please can you get more self service machines?

Other than that, i always find the customer service staff at my local station spot on. When a passenger has booked an assisted journey, the guys at the station are always ready and waiting for the passenger (e.g wheelchair bound passengers etc).

** Stations**

My train station isn't the best, its old and needs alot of work done. I'd like to see a more secure station, with improved CCTV, improved car parking system, and just a brighter and more welcoming station.

I have been to a lot of different South Eastern stations, and none of them have been great.

** The cost of Tickets**

You would like to think that because they cannot offer customers what they promise, they could lower the cost of tickets, but instead it is always rising, by around 6%.

Their are a lot of different types of tickets that can be used on South Eastern Trains, these are Off-peak Day, Anytime day and groupsave. I would only usually buy day tickets if i am off work for a while so won't be needing the train, however, if you get the train to work everyday, you would be better off buying a season ticket. Which gives you unlimited travel on the route you have chosen. You can get weekly, monthly, 6 monthly and annual season tickets.

If you work in London, a lot of companies offer a free annual season ticket, this works out A LOT cheaper than buying your ticket weekly or monthly.

** One thing that really annoys me about South Eastern Trains**

The amount of first class seats they have, when 90% of passengers buy std class tickets. Its very annoying because most of the time i have to stand up on the train, but when you walk up the carriages and see 4 different areas just for 1st class passengers, and it only has one passenger using it, you think to yourself this space would be better used as std seating.
I once tried to sit in First class with a group of other standing passengers, but the ticket conductor soon told us to move or pay the full price for first class. I would never normally sit in first class, but the train was packed, it was even coming difficult to stand on the train it was that busy. The conductor soon made an announcement saying any standing customers may use the first class seats, but any first class ticket holders will get a refund, why should they get a refund, just because a few std passengers have sat in the empty seats. Do customers on planes get refunds when airlines upgrade passengers?

** Final thoughts**

The only good thing that has come out of me using South Eastern Trains is the very nice guy i met. I wouldn't of met him if the train wasn't overcrowded and more or less sitting on this guys lap. Thanks South Eastern!!!

Summary: Get the bus!!!!