I left work later than normal last night and caught the 18.30, this is a service that I used on a regular basis a few years ago, and the only way I could cope with that was by reserving a seat. I was reminded last night why this was neccesary, this train is always full because it has a first stop at Stevenage. Once past Stevenage its empties out a bit.

Now I have nothing against the people of Stevenage, but do they get this fast service as bonus to their normal travel options or do they pay extra? In all my years of using that train I never saw anyone checking tickets between KX and Stevenage (this may be simply because I was seated in the middle of the train). If Stevenage passengers are allowed to use GNER services on their FCC tickets then why do the citizens of Peterborough have to pay a premium of £1000 a year?. Stevenage is afterall about half way to Peterborough!! The 18.30 still has cheap ticket restrictions yet the cheapest ticket of all is probably an FCC annual season ticket to Stevenage, yet that seems to be accepted. Any GNER ticket boys out there that can shed any light on this?