Finally DfT speak out against FGW

By on March 12, 2008 in trains

TweetThis month, Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly gave a salutary warning to First Great Western on their performance and value for money to customers (passengers). The company will have to spend £29 million to, among other things, increase stock, increase compensation to passengers, and a basic requirement of a franchise: to run their trains on time. [...]

Read full story • Comments { 0 }

Save our Streets!

By on November 13, 2007 in enlightened, soapbox

TweetDo you tut-tut at the degradation of your surroundings? A couple of years back (it seems), English Heritage launched the Save our Streets campaign and urged people to take an interest in their environment and record the state of our streets, lighting and signage. If only this campaign was promoted more widely and the results [...]

Read full story • Comments { 0 }

The Cluetrain Manifesto

By on November 13, 2007 in enlightened

TweetRecently, I have become very interested in the concept of viral marketing, that is, using the power of word of mouth, human to human, to get messages and ideas across. The Cluetrain Manifesto sets out exactly how and why companies and organisations who like to act like companies, together with their platitudinous management speak and [...]

Read full story • Comments { 0 }

Discount food at stations

By on October 19, 2007 in food, trains

TweetIf you find yourself waiting for your train at a station fortunate enough to have a food outlet, you may be interested in a BiTE discount card which apparently will give you 20% off food and drinks from outlets like Pumkin, Caffè Ritazza, Burger King and Upper Crust among others. I have just sent off [...]

Read full story • Comments { 0 }

Shame on FGW: old problems still persist

By on October 15, 2007 in madness, trains

TweetI have so much backlog to go through for updates on local train issues I thought I would kick-off with a disappointment and share my frustration at both my outward and return journey on Saturday 13th October, travelling from Salisbury to Bristol. Out. Took the 10.40 to Bristol Temple Meads. Surely a ‘peak’ service considering [...]

Read full story • Comments { 0 }

Access all areas? South to north Wiltshire by rail

By on September 26, 2007 in interesting, trains

TweetIn my effort to campaign for better public transport links between south and north Wiltshire I have not as yet looked in great detail at actual services provided by rail, their cost, convenience and duration (bus to come). I feel it is important to express the problems with current service in this way as for [...]

Read full story • Comments { 0 }

A single Wiltshire's new name: WC

By on September 24, 2007 in people

TweetThe new name and dates for the new Wiltshire unitary authority has been decided. It is to be called Wiltshire Council or WC for short. There will be some increase in the time for the transition and we can actually ‘enjoy’ the result of our democratic actions last May for a little longer. WC will [...]

Read full story • Comments { 1 }

Government regulation of reincarnation

By on August 23, 2007 in interesting, madness, people

TweetHeaven knows (literally) how the Chinese government will administer this one! http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20227400/site/newsweek/

Read full story • Comments { 0 }

Network Rail and Freedom of Information

By on August 21, 2007 in people, trains

TweetAn e-petition to 10 Downing Street is requesting that Network Rail be designated a public authority so that people may request information from it under the Freedom of Information Act At the moment it is very difficult to request certain details about the running of the railways from Network Rail owing to technicalities in the [...]

Read full story • Comments { 2 }

Train company threatens legal action

By on August 14, 2007 in people, soapbox, trains

TweetAwaiting the 0830 Salisbury to Southampton service yesterday (13/08/07) my eye fell upon the front page story of The Times which reported the threatened legal action by First Group against the rail watchdog London TravelWatch. This is the story as reported by the BBC and here are some letters written in response to The Times [...]

Read full story • Comments { 0 }