andco   10 #13 Posted August 24, 2007 Why did they lose the franchise? I thought they were one of the most reliable train companies in the country? Have Stagecoach announced any fare deals yet - like MM's Sheffield to London for £6 deal? I'm looking to get the train to London and back in the new year, but a standard return seems to be about £55.  I was looking in to that as well. From what I saw on their website it appears that they may be thinking in terms of introducing their megabus packages on to the trains as well. Although your guess is as good as mine in terms of what that means in practice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
andco   10 #14 Posted August 24, 2007 Sent them an email & received a reply which is more than I ever got from MML which is an encouraging start. Apparently, they're looking to improve Customer Relations/Telesales but to minimise handover disruption they're unlikely to change MMLs deplorable customer contact/sales systems in the immediate future. In a nutshell, they're saying nuffink. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
barnsleybroker   10 #15 Posted August 24, 2007 Why did they lose the franchise? I thought they were one of the most reliable train companies in the country? (  The Sheffield - London route has been, I think I'm right in saying, the most punctual and reliable intercity route in the country, and it was affordable. Better get rid of that then. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Alex C. Â Â 10 #16 Posted August 25, 2007 yeah, they were (I believe) the only company to achieve 100% reliability and punctuality, on a few occasions (single days). The advance fares were cheap, the trains were comfy and had enough seats to accommodate everyone. Â Not really surprising though, I guess, that the company promising to raise fares a total of 25% in the next 5 years before they have even taken over the franchise. Â And whilst they're saying its an average of 3.4% + inflation, I've heard that stagecoach has 'opted' for making the majority of the increases at the start of the franchise... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
sheflad   11 #17 Posted November 12, 2007 yeah, they were (I believe) the only company to achieve 100% reliability and punctuality, on a few occasions (single days). The advance fares were cheap, the trains were comfy and had enough seats to accommodate everyone. Not really surprising though, I guess, that the company promising to raise fares a total of 25% in the next 5 years before they have even taken over the franchise.  And whilst they're saying its an average of 3.4% + inflation, I've heard that stagecoach has 'opted' for making the majority of the increases at the start of the franchise...  national express lost the mmidland mainline franchise so that the government could award it the east coast franchise due to competition rules and to prevent it from having a monopoly on train services in the uk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
SYorksDeano   10 #18 Posted November 12, 2007 Thats nothing, The Virgin Cross Country franchise changed hands yesterday as well. One of their "bright" ideas is to remove the shop from all trains and replace it with a buffet trolley. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
BasilRathbon   10 #19 Posted November 12, 2007 Thats nothing, The Virgin Cross Country franchise changed hands yesterday as well. One of their "bright" ideas is to remove the shop from all trains and replace it with a buffet trolley.  It never did make sense to have a shop selling overpriced rubbish taking up half a carriage that could be better used for additional seating. Now if they were to get rid of the first class coaches as well, they'd really be popular..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
jeremyjh1 Â Â 10 #20 Posted November 12, 2007 I didn't know this. Â What a shame. Â Oh well... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Agent Orange   11 #21 Posted November 12, 2007 I don't which is worse, the fact that the complimentary tea and coffee will be no more or the fact that trainspotters have their own forum?! Surely, a trainspotter's life is spent on the end of a platform and not on a computer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
SYorksDeano   10 #22 Posted November 12, 2007 I don't which is worse, the fact that the complimentary tea and coffee will be no more or the fact that trainspotters have their own forum?! Surely, a trainspotter's life is spent on the end of a platform and not on a computer  I use the trains almost daily to get from Bradford to Sheffield. I am used to the crap service that some "operators" provide Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
ReginaldD Â Â 10 #23 Posted November 12, 2007 Boo all trains should give away free tea, coffee and be on time they should be the minimum requiremements. I've been on many a train in winter coming back from another Wednesday loss, when your sat there it feels so much better to have a warm drink. When I win the Euro Millions I'm going to go all Richard Branson and set up a train company. Just something for us locals, it will be reliable, go to all the best places in Yorkshire and wait for it ............................................................ you'll even get free tea and coffee it's only a bit of hot water really, it's the least i can do for you guys. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
SYorksDeano   10 #24 Posted November 12, 2007 I've been on many a train in winter coming back from another Wednesday loss, when your sat there it feels so much better to have a warm drink.   Good job they are not giving free alcohol away..........imagine the Wedneday away support then Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...