The season ticket department at GNER have given me a swift and professional response to my E mail about the barriers at Knigs Cross within 24 hours. It appears that they are aware of the on-going problem and that it is already being investigated by TfL. They have also asked me to keep them informed with future developments. Well done and thank you the gentleman at GNER. Lets hope TfL get their finger out now.

Bernard, our friendly chinese trolly dolly was back on the tannoy this morning to tell us what we can have for breakfast should we feel like forking out up to £13 for the full English. I don't know what todays offers were exactly because I could quite work out exactly what he was saying but either way, it was a welcome return just the same.

Last nights 17.20 ran on time though as I boarded I caught the following announcement at Kings Cross: -

'Passengers are reminded that it is not permitted to Cycle, Skateboard, Scoot or blade in any part of the station'.

I thought this was a particularly strange thing to say at 17.15 when the entire station is awash with people on foot. Who in their right mind would want to cycle, skateboard or blade round a mainline station when there are so many people in the building, it's a job just to avoid continuous collisions with fellow, slow moving passengers on foot? The other thing that struck me is how passengers are supposed to know such activity isn't permitted. I know common sense should tell most inteligent people that it's not exactly the safest activity but we're not all that inteligent and there are no signs (that I've noticed) to tell the less inteligent amongst us that it isn't permitted. Anyway, I only mention it becasue I've never heard it before.

This mornings 07.20 arrived into P'boro a good 6 mins late this morning though as we would expect, we made some time up and arrived into KX 3 mins late. Another glowing example of how GNER have fixed their timetable to allow them the best chance possible of avoiding fines, refunds and season ticket discounts.

Finally click the link and read the blog entry I came across this morning: -
http://me63.wordpress.com/2006/11/01/gee-any-arghh/#comments

Just for a change I do have some sympathy for GNER on this subject. It is and should be the passengers responsibility the ensure they have a valid ticket for the service they are sitting on. From what I've seen and experienced restrictions are clearly highlighted when and wherever tickets are sold and customers should be aware of this. However, I can also understand how customers can get confused and GNER could help themsleves by reducing the 180+ ticket variations available today.

I too have seen and blogged instances of guards who are less than tollerant with such passengers and in some case they have been down right rude and abrupt. On the flip side I have seen a damn sight more instances where the guard has been the model of proffesionalism.

Thats how long my new annual season ticket lasted before once again being f-cked by the ticket barriers at Kings cross underground. I am now having to get a replacement at least once a month. It always happens as I am leaving the Piccadilly line at Kings Cross. The new barriers there are a joke.
I have spoken to Tfl staff and they tell me its the way tickets like mine are made??
I have spoken to GNER ticket office staff and they tell me its the way the new machines are made??
Cant these two "mighty" institutions get their act together and solve this? I am sick of queuing up for a replacement ticket and I am sure the ticket office staff have better things to do than spend time issuing replacements.
I have e mailed GNER on the subject, but as I am still waiting for a reply to my email sent in July re the car park increases, I won't be holding my breath for a reply.