Connex South Eastern

== Overview ==

As a student I have to get the train to and from school every day and have done for the past few years and I am generally appalled by the service.

== Reliability of trains ==

Despite Connex constantly releasing statistics saying how trains are no where near as late as they used to be, I think that these 'statistics' must be false as I am constantly plagued by late trains. I have known trains to 'disappear' by vanishing from the screens and not turning up at the station.

Today (13-04-2007) I had to get the train to and from a local town and both trains were delayed the outbound journey 12 minutes and the inbound one by 6 minutes, and considering that the outbound journey is only one stop from where the route starts, I think that this is completely unacceptable.

== Frequency of trains ==

With Connex it tends to be roughly a train an hour and during peek times this becomes two and hour, which in all fairness I think is actually sufficient.

However on the school run every morning there needs to be more carriages added as they try to fit about 800 children onto a train with seating for only about half of that and despite complaints from all the schools in the area nothing has been done to help this issue.

== Comfort of trains ==

Connex trains come in two sorts I have found you can either have a train with blue seats, in pairs, these seats have about 3-4 inches of foam and are actually quite comfortable and the arm rests and a welcome addition.

The other type of trains are the ones with red seats, usually in triples and pairs, these barely have an inch of foam on them and are narrower than the blue trains and in general very uncomfortable to sit in especially in the school run when conditions are already cramped.

Connex have introduced 1st class for a lot extra on your ticket and it is generally a tiny bit more foam (about 1/8 of an inch) and a head cover and really is a waste of money.

== Speed of trains ==

possibly the only thing that Connex have got right is the speed of the trains once they get going they do tend to go very fast and a 10 mile journey takes between 10-12 minutes which is faster than driving the same route.

== Safety of trains ==

As far as the actual train goes I think that they are very safe as I have never heard or been involved in a derailing, unlike other train services which I have heard of being derailed.

But the one thing that lets me feel very unsafe on the trains is the people on the trains as there are frequent fights on the train, and at the stations and there are constantly items being thrown across the carriages and platforms. The police force have been able to bring the level of violence at the station down but on the trains it is still very high, with little being done by Connex to ensure the safety of their passengers

== Features ==

Connex don't really offer much on their trains they claim on their time tables that there is a trolley service supplying cold and hot food and drinks however I am still waiting to see one.

Toilets are also obviously there, provided that you are brave enough as I have found that they are rarely cleaned and there tends to be human waste up the walls and on the floor.

In each seat there is a small light and air conditioning, however the air conditioning hardly ever works and likewise for the lights.

There are also tables provided encase you want to pass the time on your journey with a nice crossword, however these tend to either be broken, have chewing cum on them or 'mysterious' stains.

So as you can see the features on offer aren't to good so feel free to look out of the window at the nice countryside, provided that is that you manage to get a window that isn't scratched and/or covered in graffiti.

== Coverage over the southeast ==

The coverage over the south east is good but again isn't that good near by to me there are several towns that are not linked to the rail network, but like wise there are some other small towns that are connected.

However every town and city in the region is covered by at least one station so it's a fair distribution of stations.

== People with disability ==

Every Connex train as standard has a carriage that is especially designed for disabled people with wider toilets and places for wheel chairs however the carriages don't sit low enough at a station for a wheel chair to be taken on and off, Connex have combated this by providing a ramp. However at my station which is usually unmanned it is kept inside so it is effectively useless.

== Tickets ==

There are two types of ticket a standard and a first class for me, a 16 year old and therefore adult; to go one stop on a standard class day single costs an astonishing £2.30 and for first class its even worse at £3.40.

You can also purchase travel cards which can either give you unlimited travel or a reduced rate that cost around about £20.

== Value for money ==

Like I showed you before the prices are very high for a longer trip from Deal (Kent) to London Victoria on a train (adult fare) it cost £22.80 where as the same route with an adult on a national express coach it only costs £11.80 and they still have toilets which are cleaner, air conditioning that works, lights that work, and nicer windows.

I know what I would choose.

Bon voyage

Brendan