On Nov 6, 7:21*pm, "Peter Smyth" wrote:
"John B" wrote in message

...





On Nov 6, 12:31 am, "David A Stocks" wrote:
But the b'stard Southern revenue protection officers wouldn't let
me
travel on my FCC only ticket. I had to pay again.

I understand that the dispute about Southern accepting FCC tickets
has been going on for quite a while.

I don't think there's any dispute. Which part of FCC ONLY do you fail
to
understand?

Its about time both management teams got together to sort this out
once
and for all.

This will happen some time after Hell Freezes Over, or possibly if
the
Southern and Thameslink franchises are ever in the same hands again.

Not true, re the specific problem: a small amount of DfT
head-knocking-
together could make franchiseesa bit better at disregarding operator-
specific restrictions in times of severe disruption.

Obviously on the wider not-problem-but-whole-bloody-point of competing
tickets, "hell freezes over" is the right timeframe.

Conditions of Carriage 43 says

43. Help from Train Companies if you are stranded
If disruption caused by circumstances within the control of a Train
Company or
a Rail Service Company leaves you stranded before you have reached your
destination and the Train Company whose trains you are entitled to use
is unable
to get you to that destination by other means, any Train Company which
is in a
position to help will, if it reasonably can, either arrange to get you
to that
destination, or provide overnight accommodation for you.

So in this situation Southern already has a duty to take the passengers
and then sort it out with FCC later.

Peter Smyth- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

And I got a reply from FCC ...

Customer Relations
First Capital Connect
PO Box 443
Plymouth
PL4 6WP
Tel: 0845 0264700
Fax: 0845 6769904
Website: www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk

Ref: 4948531

Dear Mr CJ Brady

Thank you for contacting us about the recent cancellation to our
services. I am sorry to learn your recent journey with us between
Gatwick and Farringdon was affected. I can appreciate how frustrating
this must be and I am sorry for the inconvenience this has caused.

While we always attempt to run the timetabled service, recently there
have been a number of issues which have affected our usual service. A
combination of factors has meant we have not had adequate driver
availability; this has led to a significant number of cancellations
although we have been working hard to ensure we operate with as little
disruption as possible. One of the issues affecting Driver numbers
involves introducing competency training on new trains and new routes
which is stretching Driver availability. This has been compounded by
Drivers not working rest days or overtime. This is not official action
or even unofficial, but as is the case with many train operators,
First Capital Connect relies on a certain amount of flexibility with
drivers working a combination of overtime and rest days to operate the
service.

We hope to resolve the situation shortly but in the meantime you can
claim for any delays that are thirty minutes or longer through the
usual process. For more details, please pick up an application form
from a member of our staff at any of our stations, or visit our
website at www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk to download a claim form.

I fully understand that as far as customer perception stands, there
are too many problems at the moment. I can only apologise that your
journey was affected but you have my assurance that we will do
whatever it takes to get the service back on track.

Regarding the use of First Capital Connect only tickets, I regret that
these are only valid on our trains as they are cheaper tickets than
any permitted. Southern also have a range of reduced price tickets
that are only valid on their services. There are however tickets
available that have no restrictions and can be used on either
operator, these are marked 'any permitted', but are slightly more
expensive.

Once again thank you for contacting us about this matter.

Yours sincerely

Jackie Hampton
Customer Relations Advisor

First Capital Connect Limited. Registered in England & Wales No.
05281077.
Registered office: 50 Eastbourne Terrace, Paddington, London, W2 6LX.