I have, of late, been pretty critical of National Express East Anglia, due next year to be the late and unlamented franchise holder for trains across the East of England. Increasingly decrepit trains, withdrawal of catering services, cleaners and customers services, mark the signs of a train operator merely attempting to minimise costs until someone capable takes over.
The key defence that NXEA put up is that they have improved punctuality. And indeed, across the entire network, they have achieved their 91% target. So far, so good. However, I use their mainline services. Ironically, this is the one area where they have failed, achieving a moving annual average of 88.68% in the year to 14 November.
Ironic, really, because railway companies usually treat their mainline services as the priority, ensuring that other traffic is held to allow the express to pass and that it makes connections. Clearly, this isn't the case for NXEA, demonstrating once again that there is a difference between a bus company acting up, and real railway professionals.
No, I've said it once, and I'll say it again, the sooner that National Express are cast into the outer darkness, the better my life will be...
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