Twitter RAGE!!

I am sure a lot of you are now aware of the new Twitter account and website GA Complaints where commuters are encouraged to share their views on Greater Anglia, in order to hopefully try and create a 'movement' towards change and improvement on the lines. I haven't had a chance to 'tweet in' yet, but I am certain I will have the occasion over the wet, leafy, frosty, winter months.

On the website there is a poll where you can rate your service - currently it's pretty bleak with 72% of the 645 voters saying they receive a 'poor service'.  I know it's a complaint service, but wow the Twitter page is a depressing read - people are on the war path!! 

Does anyone have anything good to say about Greater Anglia?  these days? Apart from that leaflet that I received in the post this week telling me with joy about the 'off peak deals' and 'weekend deals' that reminded me how much I effing pay per year and what a mark up they must have!!!

I try not to be too negative against GA, I genuinely, up until the last ten days, have been pretty pleased with the service I have received in the last six months on the whole.  However, I am not sure my sentiment will remain the same when I find out the price increase of my season ticket in the New Year.  

I have noticed that people are really upset with the condition of the trains - generally I don't find the trains in that bad a way in terms of cleanliness - try some of the regional trains in France - and then come back to me.  Additionally, half of the time, it's your fellow travelers that have left 'your train' in a shambles and it's often fellow travelers that even hold you up! 

Another one of my bug bears during this time of year is what I like to call 'The Goldilocks Effect' :

Take Mr. X - he gets on the train in a hat, coat, scarf and opens a window, then Ms. Y (she's in a T-Shirt)moans she is cold, they have an argument,their fellow commuters can empathise with both sides but no-one obviously diffuses the situation...the window does probably get shut in the end and Mr. X takes off his winter wear (tutting), and Ms. Y red-faced through frustration, but the rest of us are now sitting awkwardly, texting, bbming, facebooking, tweeting "awkward moment on train this morning, #lovecommuting, #moronontrain, #imstill hot."  I am sorry to say, you can't please everybody.  

Now, I am a fine one to complain, and don't get me wrong, I like to give GA a good bashing when the trains are delayed, lines are bad and it's not ideal - but please remind me what service is 100% perfect?  I no doubt expect some backlash from this, but I would like to say it's not only GA that ruins my £4.5k service!!

Olympic Commuter Fever

Well,what a two weeks; the last working days of the Olympics,many medals for Team GB and also legendary standards on the commuting side.  My trains haven’t been delayed, they have been no busier than usual -  a slight exchange for families with commuters – but I’ve probably preferred that to be honest.

Although sometimes the thought of non-commuters getting our trains(this feeling, I can only compare to how gypsies must feel about ‘gorgers’) is horrible, and leaves me with a little tingle down my spine (and not in a good way) as they are unaware of train etiquette, speed nor volume control.  It has actually been refreshing, as they have brought Olympic spirit.  I have seen people with face paintings, flags and all kinds of Team GB clothing – and I am going to say it but I have enjoyed it – watching people excited about Olympics rather than watching the misery guts that I sometimes get the train with, has greatly improved my commuting experience.  I hope that the Paralympics also brings me the same buzz.

Another tip that has been really helpful for me and chilled me out a bit is Twitter, Greater Anglia have retweeted any small delays, status updates around Stratford, all fellow tweeters have been much appreciated.  So if you don’t have a Twitter account, then I advise that you create one and follow @greateranglia, you can also follow me too whilst you are at it @chelmsfordienne  !