Trains subsidy and service

Well the article on the BBC yesterday (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7897903.stm) and today's Journey on Thalys brings a few comparisons to mind!

 

I agree with the BBC that I as a tax payer should not necessarily be subsidising people that travel on the trains and that that cost should be borne by the travellers. As a long-term London resident I remember Ken Livingstone's finally deemed illegal "Fares Fair" policy where I was forced to subsidise all of the people that commuted into London.

 

However, they did not cover the difference in service which is also huge. As I write this I am sitting on Thalys (minimally subsidised) using my free Wi-Fi for a 2 1/2 hour train journey that cost me under GBP100 for first class. For this I get automated seat allocation, clean, uncrowded trains with staff whose English is better than my French. A recent UK train trip of similar duration was no where near as attractive. My 2nd class ticked was more expensive, only partial seat allocation and double booked to boot, oh and no Wi-Fi. On pointing out that they had multiple reservations for the same seat the line I got was that a "ticket does not guarantee at seat". On asking if as seat reservation (that they charge for) guaranteed a seat I was told to find another one. OK yes at that point I got a little stroppy (well a lot stroppy to be honest) asking which persons lap I should sit on as there were over 30 people standing in that carriage already. I also refused to allow the staff member to leave until they had provided me with written confirmation that they had double booked my seat and there was nowhere to sit so I could obtain a refund for gross misselling. As which point giving up on threatening to call the transport police I was upgraded to first class. The weirdest thing was that half the carriage clapped as I had overcome this jobsworth (oh its more than my jobs worth mate). I have no idea if this is a damming Indictment of the rail company or a commentary on the repressed nature of the British public.

I lived in California for quite a time and expect to pay for service (20% tip is the norm), but unlike most Brits, I will complain about bad service. Before one of co-workers comments, yes I do stroppy and pain in the ass rather well.

 

So I will continue to try and avoid travelling on British trains where ever possible. I will also add Thalys, like Eurostar to my preferred method of travelling.

 

Tell me what day it is and I will tell you where I am

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