Southeastern ‘Not Fit For Purpose’

Mark Reckless MP calls for 'not fit for purpose' Southeastern Trains to be stripped of its franchise 'as soon as possible’.

Following Southeastern's Nightmare before Christmas where the managing director of the rail firm, Charles Horton, was hauled into Westminster to explain to Kent MPs the company's abysmal failure to cope with the snow at the start of December, Mark has slammed Southeastern's decision to increase season ticket prices by 9% or £276 for hard-pressed commuters in Rochester and Strood.

Speaking on the subject, Mark said:

"I have become increasingly frustrated with Southeastern Trains. I have tried very hard to work with Southeastern to help it deal with the concerns of rail users in the Rochester and Strood area, but I have now come to the conclusion that the company is not fit for purpose.

Southeastern's attitude to its customers is, in my opinion, nothing short of disgraceful. I have received numerous complaints from constituents regarding the level of service, or lack thereof, provided by Southeastern. As a regular commuter myself, I sympathise very strongly with hard-working taxpayers who are basically being held to ransom by a company which appears to have little interest in delivering a decent service to commuters, let alone one that provides value for money.

As a former City economist, I simply cannot make sense of Southeastern's justification for the distribution of the latest fare increases.

The average income in Medway is less than many other areas of Kent, e.g. Maidstone and Faversham (which enjoy comparable fares), and there is very strong competition from local commuter coach companies. One would have thought therefore that Southeastern might use the flexibility it now has to hold fare increases in Medway below the average, yet they are imposing a 9% increase in fares, higher than the 7.8% average they are allowed. Southeastern's actions are looking increasingly commercially self-defeating.

This is not the action of a sensible competitor and is simply unjustifiable. Why should commuters to London from Strood and Rochester pay the same as those from Rainham and nearly as much as those who commute twice the distance from elsewhere in Kent?

Having worked closely with Chris Irvine’s Medway Fares Fair campaign (pictured right), I have long considered, but not previously accepted, their argument that Southeastern should be stripped of its franchise.

However, the distribution of these latest fare increases, combined with the news that Southeastern commuters will not enjoy an automatic season ticket discount despite the pitiful performance in December, suggests that Southeastern Trains is beyond redemption.

The company is simply treating the Kent franchise as a cash cow and does not even appear to be making decisions which are commercially sensible. Southeastern should be stripped of the franchise as soon as possible."

Southeastern ‘Not Fit For Purpose’

Mark Reckless MP Questions Government On Train Fares

Mark Reckless MP asked the Secretary of State for Transport to explain the Government’s policy: “on the application of a cap on fare rises on train services provided by Southeastern under its franchise agreement which enables a different rate of fare rises to that applied by other franchisees” and requested that the Minister make a statement on the issue.

The Government Minister replied that: “The Southeastern Franchise Agreement agreed by the last Government specified that from 2007-2011, regulated fares on the network would be capped at RPI +3 per cent”. She explained that: “next year will be the final one in which Southeastern has a different fares regime to most other parts of the network. From 2012, RPI +3 will become the standard formula for prices regulated by the Department for Transport, including Southeastern”.

Mark Reckless said: “I believe that Kent was not given a fair deal by the last government, which agreed a contract with Southeastern providing for our fares to rise faster than elsewhere. This will stop after January and Southeastern will henceforth be treated the same as the rest of the country. I hope that Southeastern, having been given four years of higher fares than other providers, will now improve their service to passengers”.

Mark Reckless MP Questions Government On Train Fares

Fares Fair For Medway? Have Your Say

Are you a Southeastern commuter? Do you think fares are too high? Well Mark would like to hear from you.

Following a recent meeting with Charles Horton, Managing Director of Southeastern Trains, Mark Reckless is to raise the issue of rail fares and the affect they have had on local commuters here in Medway with Theresa Villiers, the Minister of State for Transport.

Mark will be joined by other local MPs such as Tracey Crouch (Chatham and Aylesford) to discuss the fare regime agreed under the last government that allows Southeastern to raise fares by the July RPI +3% whilst the rest of the country have seen fares rise by only RPI +1%. Fair?

As commuters in Medway brace themselves for yet another above-inflation fare increase in January, reported to be 7.8% on regulated fares (season tickets), Mark Reckless thinks the travelling public have suffered for far too long due to the unfair franchise agreement negotiated under the Labour government and would like to make sure your concerns are raised at the very highest level.

"I want Theresa Villiers to understand how unhappy many of my constituents are with Southeastern Trains and the last government singling us out for bigger increases than anywhere else in the country."

If you would like to have your say on Southeastern’s fares or general service levels then please email Mark or use the contact form on Mark's website to ensure your voice is heard.

Fares Fair For Medway? Have Your Say

InTouch With Medway Commuters

Mark Reckless and a team of local Conservatives handed out Mark's latest Commuter InTouch and Survey at rail stations across Medway this morning.

If you didn't manage to get a copy, you can download the latest edition by clicking here or on the photo. To help the environment you can also take the Survey online by clicking on the link to the right or click here

What's in this issue -

Effective Campaigning For Local Commuters

Mark Reckless Campaigned For Peak Hour Trains to Stop At Rochester ... And Delivered!

Last year Mark Reckless, the Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Rochester and Strood, met with Southeastern managers to discuss the impact of above inflation fare increases and changes to the timetable on Southeastern's Medway services. Working with the independent Fair's Fare for Medway campaign, Mark Reckless won a significant victory for local commuters when Southeastern finally agreed to introduce regular peak hour stopping services at Rochester station.

Previously Rochester and Strood commuters were forced to travel to Chatham station to catch the fast peak time services into London, but thanks to Mark's effective campaigning many hundreds of local commuters now find they have more time at home in the morning and in the evening.

But there is still much to do. Fares are still too high and the new timetable isn't working for many. The campaign continues!

How Much Will Rail Strike Cost You?

Mark Reckless is calling on members of the RMT and TSSA unions to reconsider their decision to press ahead with the national rail strike next week. At a time when many commuters and their families are already struggling to get through Labour's recession, the last thing people here in Medway need is aggressive union action that will prevent many from getting to their place of work. Many will find they have no option but to use precious holiday time they can ill afford or, worse still, be forced to take unpaid leave.

Once again, it's the hardworking taxpayers of this country who will be made to pay for Gordon Brown's weakness in the face of union militancy, and that simply isn't acceptable. It's time for change.

Penalty Fares Unfair On HS1?

Mark is currently looking at the issue of penalty fares issued to non-HS1 season ticket holders who have reported that the facility to purchase upgrades onboard the trains has been removed.

When the service began last December, Southeastern actively promoted the fact that regular season ticket holders could purchase their upgrades en route, but it appears this facility was removed at some point without any prior notification leaving many unsuspecting commuters facing unjustified penalty fare notices. If you have had this problem, let Mark know as he may be able to get you a refund.

Download Mark's Commuter InTouch - Click Here

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InTouch With Medway Commuters

Southeastern Must Do Better

"Hoping for the best, but expecting the worst" is probably the phrase that best describes the attitude of local commuters regarding the introduction of the new Southeastern timetable, and the full launch of the commuter HS1 service from Rochester and Strood to St. Pancras.

So it came as a great disappointment to myself and my fellow commuters who arrived at Strood station this morning to catch the 07.42 high speed service to find it had been cancelled because of a missing train crew. To say I am furious is something of an understatement, particularly given the fact that it is going to cost passengers from Strood £106.52 a week for the privilege of being late for work as I was!

Southeastern have been allowed to increase their fares exponentially over the past few years in order to, as they say, meet the costs of introducing the new HS1 service, though they still can't get their story straight on this. If that is the case then I think the least we should expect from our investment is to have a service that runs on time and as stated. Let us hope that today's disruption is not a sign of what is to come.

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Southeastern Must Do Better

Southeastern Delays

This week I have been late to work three times and have had to either pay for a taxi or got soaked walking from Rochester to Chatham stations. From the looks of other passengers, many have suffered similar frustrations.

Commuters deserve a proper explanation and apology from Southeastern Trains, because the differing explanations we have had to date are wearing thin. Is it just that Southeastern can't cope with the rain?

It is particularly disappointing to have these problems now when Southeastern, almost uniquely in the country, and they still can't get their story straight as to why this is, are about to put up their season ticket prices.

At least there is one ray of light for my fellow commuters trying to get from Rochester to London Bridge or Cannon Street for 9 o'clock. After 13th December we will no longer need to catch the 8.06 to Chatham to get (or this week, mainly miss) the 8.10 back up to Cannon Street. That is because the service will make an 8.11 stop at Rochester.

This is the result of a long campaign which I have led and will save many commuters considerable time and hassle. Unfortunately, while almost all the evening peak trains will make the Rochester stop, not all the morning ones will, so I will keep up this campaign until Rochester commuters for the Cannon Street and Victoria trains leaving between 7a.m and 8a.m. can benefit too.

Southeastern Delays

Medway Unfairly Singled Out For Rail Fare Hike

Medway commuters who have read London papers saying commuters are set to see an across the board fares reduction are in for a rude awakening.

Southeastern have confirmed that commuter fares to Medway and elsewhere in Kent will go up by 1.6%. This is because, while nationally regulated rail fares including commuter season tickets are limited to RPI + 1%, the government lets Southeastern put fares up by RPI + 3%. Therefore, because the July RPI on which fares are based fell by 1.4%, commuter fares nationally will fall by 0.4%, but for Southeastern and Medway they will go up by 1.6%, or about £50 for an annual season ticket to London.

It is reported in the press that this is to allow Southeastern to "increase capacity". However when Mark Reckless, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Rochester and Strood, put that to Southeastern previously, this was denied and Southeastern stated that the bigger fare hikes had nothing to do with the High Speed 2 ("HS2") line or increased capacity, as well they might given that capacity on other trains is being cut for HS2 which plans to charge a 30-35% fare premium!

Instead, Southeastern said they were allowed to raise fares more because the service had 'improved since Connex.'

Mark Reckless said:

"The government and Southeastern have never got their story straight as to why they are hammering Medway with bigger fare hikes than everywhere else. If it is, as Southeastern claim because the service has improved since Connex, perhaps they can explain why fares went up the same as everywhere else under Connex, but now under Southeastern Medway commuters must pay more for a service the same as everywhere else, just because they suffered a worse service under Connex?"

Medway Unfairly Singled Out For Rail Fare Hike

Campaign Succeeds - Congratulations To Southeastern

Southeastern Trains have published their new draft timetable for services from 13 December 2009.

The proposed service represents a victory for Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, Cllr Mark Reckless, and local campaigners.

For years only one Cannon Street service has stopped in Rochester and the fast services to Victoria have only stopped at Rochester off-peak, leaving commuters from Rochester to London having to either get a slow train, drive or have a long walk to Chatham, or get a connecting train via Chatham.

This will now change as Southeastern acted on feedback received following the Commuter Feedback Survey organised by Mark Reckless and Fares Fair campaigner, Chris Irvine, in March this year.

Mark met with Southeastern on 8th April to explain that a key element of feedback received was for fast Victoria and Cannon Street trains to serve commuters from Rochester. He first reported on markreckless.com on 25th April that Southeastern might agree to do this.

Southeastern have now confirmed they will run 07.10, 08.11 and 08.32 fast services from Rochester to Cannon Street in addition to the current 06.46 (changing to 06.41) service.

All will take about 45 minutes to Cannon Street. There will now be five, rather than one, fast, direct evening services returning from Cannon Street to Rochester.

There will also be new fast, direct services from Rochester to Victoria at 08.22 and 08.52 and commuter evening return services will stop in Rochester.

Reacting to the news Mark Reckless said:

"This is the culmination of a long campaign which I have led with the support of Cllr Phil Filmer on behalf of Rochester commuters. Many will gain up to an extra half an hour a day, whether at work, in bed, or with the family, because of this excellent decision by Southeastern, who I congratulate on having listened and responded to local people."

Others, who don't commute by train from Rochester, may also benefit from reduced congestion as many commuters who currently drive to Chatham can walk to Rochester instead.

The timetable is in draft form and, although it goes most of the way to deliver the campaign goals, Mark will be asking Southeastern if they would consider having at least one further fast train stop at Rochester for Cannon Street between 07.10 and 08.11 and for Victoria between 06.41 and 08.22, since this would allow us to promote Rochester as having a full commuter fast service to London.

Campaign Succeeds - Congratulations To Southeastern

Feedback On Southeastern Meeting

On Saturday Mark Reckless launched the new Reckless Direct feature on his website which allows Mark to report back live to constituents on local issues that are of concern. Making use of Web 2.0 software made popular by leading bloggers such as Guido Fawkes and Iain Dale, Mark Reckless is once again showing how recent innovations in online interactivity can be used to provide a better experience for local constituents at no cost to the taxpayer.

Mark chose to launch this new feature by using it to report back to commuters who participated in his recent Passenger Survey. As part of his campaign to get a fairer deal for Medway commuters, Mark Reckless recently met with Mr. Mike Gibson of Southeastern trains to discuss issues that were raised by the public, and some of these are summarised below. You can read the full transcript of Mark's feedback on the Reckless Direct page of his website.

There were three main issues discussed at the meeting, and they were;

1. Train company complaints about THEIR difficulties in the recession and lobbying to prevent passengers getting any benefit from any fall in retail prices.

2. Southeastern's proposal to charge a 30-35% premium on CTRL fast services to St Pancras

3. The very large amount of feedback Mark received that the fast(ish) services to Cannon Street and Victoria should stop at Rochester.

With regards to issue 1, Southeastern now accept that they will be held to their RPI linked fares franchise and are no longer lobbying for changes. They accept that they need to find efficiencies internally and that the recession is properly pushing them to do that.

Issue 2, Southeastern say they have done a lot of market research with City and Canary Wharf business associations, etc and this says that people think that it might be attractive to commute in from Medway, even at a 30-35% premium.

Mark pointed out that that is all very well, but those people are not living in Medway now! People here tend to commute to work that is near to Victoria and Cannon Street and will not gain much, if anything, from faster services to St Pancras.

It is possible that over time, say 5-10 years, people with jobs convenient to St Pancras may be tempted to move to Medway, but they are not here now and Mark cannot see the services attracting many people if that premium is much above 10-15% initially.

Mark pointed out that the 30-35% premium is not commercially sensible since they would make more money from 6,000 commuters paying a 15% premium than 2,000 commuters paying a 30-35% premium.

Mark Reckless's bottom line is that 30-35% is much too much, and Mr Gibson has promised Mark that he will be allowed to put his case and concerns to their Pricing Team before the decision is made.

And finally on issue 3, Mark pressed Southeastern strongly on getting fast services to Cannon Street and Victoria to stop at Rochester during rush hour. This was a major issue raised to Mark in the feedback to the survey.

Southeastern really listened to Mark that this would encourage more people to use the service as there are a lot of people in Rochester who can comfortably walk to Rochester, but not to Chatham.

This would also bring environmental benefits - and this is an important issue too for Southeastern with it receiving a public subsidy. Many people would no longer need to drive to Chatham station from across Medway, and Mark has agreed with Cllr Phil Filmer that the Council will support Mark in pressing Southeastern on this.

Feedback On Southeastern Meeting

Southeastern Update - Live Webchat 25th April At 4pm

Once again I would like to thank everyone who took the time to respond to the recent transport survey I undertook as part of my campaign to get a fairer deal for Medway commuters on Southeastern trains.

I recently met with representatives of Southeastern to discuss the concerns that were raised through this survey and I would now like to report back to you on the results of this meeting.

Tomorrow (25th April), in what will be a first for local politics here in Medway, I will be hosting a live webchat on this site to take your questions on commuter services as they are now, and how they will look in the future. With the inflation-busting fare increases in January, possible future increases, and the new high speed service to St Pancras due to start running in December there's plenty to discuss.

If you wish to take part in this exciting new initiative, then please make sure you log on to this site tomorrow at 4pm, go to the Reckless Direct page and put your questions and feedback direct to me.

Unlike the representatives of other political parties here in Medway, we don't just talk. We listen. And this is your chance to be heard, so please join me tomorrow.

Southeastern Update - Live Webchat 25th April At 4pm

Southeastern Update

Just a quick update to say thank you to everyone who took the time to fill out and return the commuter surveys we handed out a couple of weeks ago, or who responded via our online transport survey. It was very interesting reading the wide range of views from rail users across Medway regarding Southeastern's performance, and it's fair to say that a large proportion of the respondents aren't really happy with the service they are getting from our rail service here in the Towns. That has got to change.

I am happy to announce that I have now met with representatives from Southeastern, and I think we have made some real progress in addressing some of the issues raised and I will be making an announcement on this in the near future as well as inviting you to take part in a proper debate on the service provided by Southeastern, so make sure you check back regularly. This is your chance to have a real say on how you would like to be treated as a hardworking commuter and taxpayer so make sure you don't miss out.

If you would like more info on taking part in our debate or would like to keep up to date with my progress regarding Southeastern or any of the other pressing issues here in Medway, then please make sure you sign up for my free email updates - click here. It doesn't cost a thing and we promise you won't be sent loads of spam email, so what have you got to lose except Gordon Brown's debt?

Southeastern Update

Fair's Not Fare For Medway

Don't Miss Out - Claim Your Compensation

Thanks to pressure from the local Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Rochester and Strood Mark Reckless in association with the independent Fair's Fare for Medway campaign we are happy to tell you that Southeastern are offering compensation to Medway commuters holding monthly or longer season tickets who were affected by the shutdown of Southeastern's commuter services to and from London on 2nd February

How To Claim

To help you make sure you claim your compensation in time, Click Here to download Southeastern's claim form (external link*).

Fill in the form with your details and return it to;

Southeastern Customer Services,
PO Box 63428,
London SE1P 5FD.

Important - You will also need to enclose an original expired ticket or photocopy of your current ticket, and a photocopy of your photocard. Don't forget to include these with your form!

All claims must be submitted by Tuesday 31st March 2009 so don't put it off. It's your money, make sure you don't miss out!

*If you cannot view the form you may need to download and install Adobe reader onto your computer, and you can download it here for free

On Your Side

Mark Reckless believes that with the recession there is a good chance we can now persuade Southeastern to set CTRL fast service fares below the 35% premium proposed by Labour. Otherwise the service will fail because it will be unaffordable to Medway residents.

If elected as our Conservative MP Mark will also work to get the inflation plus 3% rises on standard fares cut back.

Angry commuter and http://www.medwayfaredeal.com/ founder Chris Irvine (pictured with Mark) responded:

"We are grateful for Mark's support. People are already worried about staying in work and shouldn't have to worry about getting to work.

We have all heard of Highway Robbery but this is Railway Robbery."

You can help by taking a few minutes to complete our online Passenger Survey and registering your support to ensure we all get a Fair Fare Deal for Medway. Click Here to take the survey.

Fair's Not Fare For Medway