LT&SR Enthusiasts.myfreeforum.org

admin · Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 11:19 am Post subject: Fare Dodging

ANGRY commuters have demanded action to stop fare dodgers escaping from Basildon railway station through a hole in a vandalised gate. Regular passengers, fed up with buying tickets while others don't pay a penny, have called on train operator c2c to repair the gaping hole in the gate's wire meshing. They told how fare evaders simply climb over the platform barrier, go down a wooded verge and flee through the gate which leads out to Southernhay, opposite the cab rank.

One commuter from Pitsea, said: "It's been like that for at least five or six weeks. I saw two people go through it with their bicycles the other day. I read recently about the police trying to clamp down on fare dodgers at stations, but it's no good them waiting at the exits when people can get out through a great big hole. Someone should fix it."

Another commuter from Markhams Chase, Laindon, added: "It annoys me to think I pay for my tickets, which are too highly priced anyway, and c2c can't even be bothered to fix a gate."

Train operator c2c, responsible for maintenance of the gate and surrounding wire fence, claimed it already knew it was damaged and would repair it at the first possible opportunity.

A c2c spokesman, said: "Unfortunately vandalism is common in and around the station. We are always having to repair that gate and the fence."

Perhaps if the job was done properly in the first place, it would become harder for the vandals.

_________________
Once the misery line, but now passed on to another.

See www.bramleyline.org.uk where one day we just might see an Ex-LT&SR Standard 4 steaming along as a Guest loco.