National Express East Coast

[gswindale]

as it's early days, surely your comments reflect more on the previous incumbent than the new operators as they will be yet to fully unleash the power of their customer service skills and other abilities?

[6rdfar90]

But, its the same staffing as it was before as well...

[AlistairW]

No no no. The paint (or vinyl) is the only thing that matters. There might not be any seats, and the floor may be nothing but discarded apple cores, but a snazzy paint job on the outside makes it all OK.

Is this First groups policy?

I agree, im not sure if GNER offered their WiFi free

It used to be free in 1st and cost in standard.

[ajax103]

as it's early days, surely your comments reflect more on the previous incumbent than the new operators as they will be yet to fully unleash the power of their customer service skills and other abilities?

Exactly,

[6rdfar90]

If they have any...

[ied]

as it's early days, surely your comments reflect more on the previous incumbent than the new operators as they will be yet to fully unleash the power of their customer service skills and other abilities?

What I was basically saying was that the quality of the customer service was poor.

I regularly travelled on GNER's services and I never had any problems with the service and equally, I was always served by excellent staff.

I think Nat Ex need time, but I am not going to get my hopes up.

[6rdfar90]

as it's early days, surely your comments reflect more on the previous incumbent than the new operators as they will be yet to fully unleash the power of their customer service skills and other abilities?

What I was basically saying was that the quality of the customer service was poor.

I regularly travelled on GNER's services and I never had any problems with the service and equally, I was always served by excellent staff.

I think Nat Ex need time, but I am not going to get my hopes up.

But, It's the same staff that GNER had!!!! Only the company managers have changed!!!

[ied]

as it's early days, surely your comments reflect more on the previous incumbent than the new operators as they will be yet to fully unleash the power of their customer service skills and other abilities?

What I was basically saying was that the quality of the customer service was poor.

I regularly travelled on GNER's services and I never had any problems with the service and equally, I was always served by excellent staff.

I think Nat Ex need time, but I am not going to get my hopes up.

But, It's the same staff that GNER had!!!! Only the company managers have changed!!!

I know that for crying out loud.

All I am saying - and what I have said all along for those that have bothered to read - is that I wasn't impressed with their level of service so far. The initial impressions weren't good. There is obvious room for improvement and whilst the staff that served me probably worked for GNER, the initial showing wasn't good.

For the last time, and I won't repeat myself again after this: What I was basically saying was that the quality of the customer service was poor. I regularly travelled on GNER's services and I never had any problems with the service and equally, I was always served by excellent staff. I think Nat Ex need time, but I am not going to get my hopes up.

Sorry to sound bitter...

[hertford]

Were GNER even available for being taken over? Apparently, according to a BBC article, they extended their Franchise's running in 2005 for another ten years. Here's the link: (Look in the "Business as usual" heading) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6052770.stm

[MoonKid47]

All I am saying - and what I have said all along for those that have bothered to read - is that I wasn't impressed with their level of service so far. The initial impressions weren't good. There is obvious room for improvement and whilst the staff that served me probably worked for GNER, the initial showing wasn't good.

For the last time, and I won't repeat myself again after this: What I was basically saying was that the quality of the customer service was poor. I regularly travelled on GNER's services and I never had any problems with the service and equally, I was always served by excellent staff. I think Nat Ex need time, but I am not going to get my hopes up.

Sorry to sound bitter...

Dude, sounds like you expect NXEC to come out with all bells and whistles with red carpets and velvet ropes into each carriage. The fact of the matter is that basically, the operating name has changed and thats it.

Just because its a new franchise it doesnt mean its everything from fresh with all smiles. Of course we need to give them time to at least settle into their operations first...

[6rdfar90]

Were GNER even available for being taken over? Apparently, according to a BBC article, they extended their Franchise's running in 2005 for another ten years. Here's the link: (Look in the "Business as usual" heading) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6052770.stm

But they filed for Bankruptcy. The government aren't going to let a company that cant pay keep running services are they?

[AlistairW]

We are unaware of what is going on internally, Nax Ex has to find additional cash somewhere otherwise they, like GNER, will serve the same fate, although more likely, Nax Ex Group will end up paying the additional amount which I some how doubt is going to be very popular. One of Nat Ex's key out goings is going to be wages so for all we know staff may have to be interviewing for their jobs at the moment with the potential for redundancy. Nobody works to their full during times of uncertainty. And no, before anybody says it, the threat of loosing your job in this case is not a motivator.

[MoonKid47]

One of Nat Ex's key out goings is going to be wages so for all we know staff may have to be interviewing for their jobs at the moment with the potential for redundancy. Nobody works to their full during times of uncertainty.

Which could be causing low morale and poorer service compared to standards?

Just an idea....

[hitch840]

Were GNER even available for being taken over? Apparently, according to a BBC article, they extended their Franchise's running in 2005 for another ten years. Here's the link: (Look in the "Business as usual" heading) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6052770.stm

This link goes into more detail about the company's achievements, history and bankruptcy of its sister company:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Nort ... rn_Railway

[ajax103]

I couldn't test out the wifi on my N95 since I had a low battery and no charger but hopefully I be able to test it out tomorrow morning on the NXEC back to Peterborough, atleast it will keep me awake until I get to Peterborough after a thrilling night shift,

Mind you, I took some photos at 3am this morning at work and they came out pretty good, so the wifi should be just as great.

With a bit of luck, I'm going to try to make a post here while travelling at 125mph