On Sun, 29 Feb 2004 12:27:34 +0000, Dave Newt
m wrote:

The end result is that Walthamstow station is much less safe-feeling
than it was before, and it can often be impossible to buy a ticket from
mid-evening onwards.

How very true. I really dislike using WWCS after the evening rush. It's
bad enough navigating your way through the legions of touts and
undesirables in the rush hour. The whole way in which the place is "run"
is a farce - even when the police are in the Tube ticket hall the touts
are on the stairs and Chingford platform asking for your ticket! Why
they don't arrest these people I do not know.

We'll have to see what happens once they build the subway to the new bus
station.

I wouldn't hold your breath. Unless the police are going to patrol all
the time all that will happen is the touts will have a nice new warm and
secure place to tout and look menacing in. I also do not understand
what, if any, extra ticketing facilities are being provided for the flow
of traffic from the bus station who wish to travel on by rail.

I think pressure should be brought to bear upon WAGN, who appear not to
give a toss about customer safety:

The issue is actually all to do with money. WAGN earn far too much in
revenue and commission from the station to ever give it up. LUL cannot
afford to compensate WAGN for these losses within the framework of their
franchise. I also cannot see LUL wishing to take on liabilities
associated with the WAGN station buildings and entrances (yes those nice
"temporary" structures dating from 1968).

As West Anglia has just been retendered and given to National Express as
part of the Greater Anglia I would not hold your breath for any change
whatsovever (the chance for a change of ownership having been lost for
7-10 years). The prevailing strategy of most TOCs is to do the absolute
bare minimum to the station infrastructure they inherit and to pare down
costs.

The closure of the ticket halls also makes Oyster Pre-Pay inoperative
for WAGN customers travelling to / from Liverpool St. Yet another thing
they didn't think about when taking their "security" decision.
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!