Station Manager Corner

[ruffers]

SMBJones Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Ruffers

>

> Pleased to report that irritation has now gone!

> The sign was removed this morning

>

> Regards

>

> Barry

>

In the words of my group of friends Barry, you rock like a, um, man of questionable parentage. And the lights seem to have settled down now as well so all good.

As of two weeks time I'll be moving back so Forest Hill's my station but thanks for all you've done on ED, the speaker announcement one is the key now. Genuinely I didn't realise there were announcements for a while and that's not standing miles down the platform, maybe two thirds?

And (jokingly) (I think) if the 8.05 comes every day for a fortnight at 8.08, shall we just call it the 8.08?

cheers

ruffers

Nice.

[rwres]

Hi Barry,

Thanks so much for starting this area of the forum, you seem to have done a lot of good work!

I was interested to read about the toilet facilities at Peckham Rye. I have a medical condition which means I often need a toilet at short notice, and have stopped travelling from North Dulwich to London Bridge because of the lack of toilet facilities (I will actually travel from Herne Hill to Victoria to Westminster to London Bridge because, while it's less convenient and more expensive, there are bathrooms along the route!).

This is all the more disappointing to have to do because there is a toilet at the top of the stairs to Platform 1 at North Dulwich station, but it is always locked and whenever there is someone in the ticket booth, they deny it exists. I'm forced to leave the station to find a toilet.

Is there any way to:

a) find out where all of the toilets are along the route to London Bridge (what stations, which platforms, what hours are they open)?

b) buy a key to the toilet at North Dulwich? I know you have vandalism problems and need to keep it locked, but I'm already spending extra money to get into central London. I'd rather give the money to you and have easier access into London.

Thanks.

[Markjonathan]

Dear Barry,

I know we've all benfited from the work you do and I know that sometimes our requests go beyond the boundary of your field of management and perhaps this comment will but maybe you can advise or at least bring it to the attention of the appropriate authority:

I travel regularly but at all different times of day. Happily not always at peak times. Today, I caught the 07.52 from Peckham Rye to London Bridge. The 6 carriages were absolutely packed. I managed to squeeze on but many commuters couldn't. It was no better at London Bridge travelling onto Charing Cross. I still hear talk of cutting services but I believe we need Boris and Rail managers to accept the need for longer trains and increased services. My route today would have been impossible if I were disabled, elderly, carrying baggage or with a young child. I know that when I have to travel with luggage that I usually go the night before or take a taxi. Frankly, what our commuters are subject to in peak times is unhealthy and unsafe. (I nearly fell off the train at London Bridge such was the tight pack.)

How can we get something done to improve the situation?

Many thanks,

Mark

[FluffyGalore]

Hi Barry

I was on the 8:05 from ED yesterday - now cut to 6 carriages. It was packed. Today I got the 7:51, same as last week - 6 carriages and completely packed - people at Peckham Rue could not squeeze on.

Why is it during off-peak there are 8+ carriage trains going to and from ED from LB, yet during peak times they get slashed to 6 carriages?

I'd be really grateful if you could ask your powers that be what is going on please!

Thanks very much

[Timster]

Barry,

Not sure if this is a Southern issue or an Oyster issue but someone seems to have re-set the card readers at London Bridge and Peckham Rye (and presumably other stations) so that once I've gone through two sets of gates with my monthly Oyster, the card no longer works at the gates and a guard has to either let me in or out of the station. This is an issue at London Bridge where I have to (well 'have to' is putting it strongly, but it's by far the shortest route) go through three sets of gates to get out of the station. The guards are obviously familiar with the issue since they're having to let lots of people like me through in the mornings and evenings.

This has only started being a problem in the last week or so, having used a monthly Oyster for a few years now on this route.

Anything Southern can do to help - or is it an Oyster issue.

Thanks,

[SingingWilks]

I'm with you on that one Timster, I go through the large number of gates you mention at London Bridge and my annual oyster (God bless the work interest free season ticket loan!) won't let me through the last gate to escape the station, it comes up with 'error 41' and I have to go to a guard to let me out. Not a useful post I know but just letting you know you aren't the only one.

[SMBJones]

Hi

First of all apologies for the inconvenience this has caused.

I have asked my duty manager to take some photos which have just been emailed to me. The issue with this disused toilet is there is no sink which in reality could cause problems with hygiene, there is a hole in the wall and the flooring needs sorting plus a few other little bits that need attention.

So.... The following has been actioned by me today

I have instructed our facilities department to install a tiny sink

I have instructed my maintenance team to decorate, fill in the hole, buy a new toilet seat and replace the old flooring

Hopefully I can get this open in the next ten days.

In the meantime, if you travel to Peckham Rye I will instruct my staff to allow you to use the staff facilities there

Hope this helps

Barry

rwres Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Hi Barry,

>

> Thanks so much for starting this area of the

> forum, you seem to have done a lot of good work!

>

> I was interested to read about the toilet

> facilities at Peckham Rye. I have a medical

> condition which means I often need a toilet at

> short notice, and have stopped travelling from

> North Dulwich to London Bridge because of the lack

> of toilet facilities (I will actually travel from

> Herne Hill to Victoria to Westminster to London

> Bridge because, while it's less convenient and

> more expensive, there are bathrooms along the

> route!).

>

> This is all the more disappointing to have to do

> because there is a toilet at the top of the stairs

> to Platform 1 at North Dulwich station, but it is

> always locked and whenever there is someone in the

> ticket booth, they deny it exists. I'm forced to

> leave the station to find a toilet.

>

> Is there any way to:

> a) find out where all of the toilets are along the

> route to London Bridge (what stations, which

> platforms, what hours are they open)?

> b) buy a key to the toilet at North Dulwich? I

> know you have vandalism problems and need to keep

> it locked, but I'm already spending extra money to

> get into central London. I'd rather give the money

> to you and have easier access into London.

>

> Thanks.

[SMBJones]

Hi

This has caused me untold issues in the last week or so. The company who maintain the gates have downloaded some software in readiness for the PAYG Launch on the 2nd January which has caused some problems with the gates and reading of tickets.

I am hoping after the reports we have filed this week this will be rectified by Friday. I will keep you updated accordingly

Barry

Timster Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Barry,

>

> Not sure if this is a Southern issue or an Oyster

> issue but someone seems to have re-set the card

> readers at London Bridge and Peckham Rye (and

> presumably other stations) so that once I've gone

> through two sets of gates with my monthly Oyster,

> the card no longer works at the gates and a guard

> has to either let me in or out of the station.

> This is an issue at London Bridge where I have to

> (well 'have to' is putting it strongly, but it's

> by far the shortest route) go through three sets

> of gates to get out of the station. The guards

> are obviously familiar with the issue since

> they're having to let lots of people like me

> through in the mornings and evenings.

>

> This has only started being a problem in the last

> week or so, having used a monthly Oyster for a few

> years now on this route.

>

> Anything Southern can do to help - or is it an

> Oyster issue.

>

> Thanks,

[SMBJones]

Hi

Bare with me on this I have sent a flurry of emails and awaiting the responses

Barry

Markjonathan Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Dear Barry,

>

> I know we've all benfited from the work you do and

> I know that sometimes our requests go beyond the

> boundary of your field of management and perhaps

> this comment will but maybe you can advise or at

> least bring it to the attention of the appropriate

> authority:

>

> I travel regularly but at all different times of

> day. Happily not always at peak times. Today, I

> caught the 07.52 from Peckham Rye to London

> Bridge. The 6 carriages were absolutely packed. I

> managed to squeeze on but many commuters couldn't.

> It was no better at London Bridge travelling onto

> Charing Cross. I still hear talk of cutting

> services but I believe we need Boris and Rail

> managers to accept the need for longer trains and

> increased services. My route today would have been

> impossible if I were disabled, elderly, carrying

> baggage or with a young child. I know that when I

> have to travel with luggage that I usually go the

> night before or take a taxi. Frankly, what our

> commuters are subject to in peak times is

> unhealthy and unsafe. (I nearly fell off the train

> at London Bridge such was the tight pack.)

>

> How can we get something done to improve the

> situation?

> Many thanks,

> Mark

[rwres]

Barry, you really are a wonderful man. Thank you so much for your help and attention!!

[simon K S]

Hi Barry,

Firstly thanks for all your hard work on Peckham Rye station, it's really turned a corner over the last year, it looks so much better.

My query relates to the part of the station I know you don't have direct control over. The area and shops outside the front are still maintained to a very poor standard. This is sad as it detracts and overshadows your work on maintaining and rejuvenating the main station.

The main symbol of this for me is the broken windows in the buildings, there is a report from the US that details the social impact of broken windows, you can read it here: http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/198203/broken-windows

or an extract:

'In a 1982 Atlantic Monthly article titled "Broken Windows," James Q.

Wilson and George Kelling argued that disorder in a community, if left

uncorrected, undercuts residents' own efforts to maintain their homes

and neighborhoods and control unruly behavior. "If a window in a

building is broken and left unrepaired," they wrote, "all the rest of

the windows will soon be broken. . . . One unrepaired window is a

signal that no one cares, so breaking more windows costs nothing. . .

. Untended property becomes fair game for people out for fun or

plunder."

'If disorder goes unchecked, a vicious cycle begins. First, it kindles

a fear of crime among residents, who respond by staying behind locked

doors. Their involvement in the neighborhood declines; people begin to

ignore rowdy and threatening behavior in public. They cease to

exercise social regulation over little things like litter on the

street, loitering strangers, or truant schoolchildren. When

law-abiding eyes stop watching the streets, the social order breaks

down and criminals move in.

'"Stable neighborhoods can change in a few months to jungles," declare

Wilson and Kelling. Disorder also can have dire economic consequences.

Shoppers will shun an area they perceive as being "out of control."

One study analyzing crime in 30 different areas found that the level

of disorder of a neighborhood -- more than such factors as income

level, resident turnover, or racial makeup -- was the best indicator

of an area's lack of safety.'

There are several broken windows around the site (for example the blue building at the front next to the dentist) and I think fixing them would go along way to restoring a sense of order. I was wondering whether it is possible for you to enquire whether the property owners, Spacia could see their way to having these repaired and bringing the general standard of upkeep in those buildings to a satisfactory level.

Cheers

Simon

[SMBJones]

Hi Simon, completely agree with your comments and will take on board.

Firstly I will ask one of my duty managers to go and take some pictures of the units you refere too. I will then liasise with my contact at Network Rail to see what can be done in conjunction with "Spacia"

In the meantime, Southwark have kindly agreed to fund some new cycle racks, in addition we are looking at the possibility of opening the old unit (looking at the station front there is a unit to the right)which will also be used for cycle storage along with some additinal CCTV. We also have a new supplier for flowers which will also brighten up the station further.

The area you refer to does not come within my remit but you have my word I will do everything in my power to bring the rest of the forecourt into some sort of order.

Hope this helps

Barry

simon K S Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Hi Barry,

>

> Firstly thanks for all your hard work on Peckham

> Rye station, it's really turned a corner over the

> last year, it looks so much better.

>

> My query relates to the part of the station I know

> you don't have direct control over. The area and

> shops outside the front are still maintained to a

> very poor standard. This is sad as it detracts and

> overshadows your work on maintaining and

> rejuvenating the main station.

>

> The main symbol of this for me is the broken

> windows in the buildings, there is a report from

> the US that details the social impact of broken

> windows, you can read it here:

> http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/198203/broken-windo

> ws

>

> or an extract:

>

> 'In a 1982 Atlantic Monthly article titled "Broken

> Windows," James Q.

> Wilson and George Kelling argued that disorder in

> a community, if left

> uncorrected, undercuts residents' own efforts to

> maintain their homes

> and neighborhoods and control unruly behavior. "If

> a window in a

> building is broken and left unrepaired," they

> wrote, "all the rest of

> the windows will soon be broken. . . . One

> unrepaired window is a

> signal that no one cares, so breaking more windows

> costs nothing. . .

> . Untended property becomes fair game for people

> out for fun or

> plunder."

>

> 'If disorder goes unchecked, a vicious cycle

> begins. First, it kindles

> a fear of crime among residents, who respond by

> staying behind locked

> doors. Their involvement in the neighborhood

> declines; people begin to

> ignore rowdy and threatening behavior in public.

> They cease to

> exercise social regulation over little things like

> litter on the

> street, loitering strangers, or truant

> schoolchildren. When

> law-abiding eyes stop watching the streets, the

> social order breaks

> down and criminals move in.

>

> '"Stable neighborhoods can change in a few months

> to jungles," declare

> Wilson and Kelling. Disorder also can have dire

> economic consequences.

> Shoppers will shun an area they perceive as being

> "out of control."

> One study analyzing crime in 30 different areas

> found that the level

> of disorder of a neighborhood -- more than such

> factors as income

> level, resident turnover, or racial makeup -- was

> the best indicator

> of an area's lack of safety.'

>

> There are several broken windows around the site

> (for example the blue building at the front next

> to the dentist) and I think fixing them would go

> along way to restoring a sense of order. I was

> wondering whether it is possible for you to

> enquire whether the property owners, Spacia could

> see their way to having these repaired and

> bringing the general standard of upkeep in those

> buildings to a satisfactory level.

>

> Cheers

>

> Simon

[SMBJones]

Hi

Somewhere amonst this thread I have touched on this, it is more difficult and very costly. However this is still on the table and being dealt with, not something that can be resolved overnight.

I am making headway

Barry

pmcmullan Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I'm curious to know why all trains arriving on

> platform 1 at Peckham Rye have to pull in so far

> away from the stairs? I'm guessing it's something

> to do with the signals the driver sees.

>

> It is a particular problem in the evening when

> there is a bottleneck with so many people getting

> on and off. If the carriages stopped where there

> was space on the platform rather than by the

> waiting room, you have much quicker loading and

> unloading times. It cannot possibly be safe

> having the guards blowing the whistle and the

> doors shutting when people are still trying to get

> on.

[ruffers]

Hey Barry

Are the Oyster updates mentioned above the reason so many readers at London Bridge aren't working? Hopefully it'll be fixed then.

Just as an update the lights are all still working at East Dulwich as well.

I move back to Forest Hill this weekend - is that yours?

[Bic Basher]

Ruffers, FH is now managed by London Overground in preparation for the introduction of the East London Line in May.

I'm a regular user of the station (as I live down the wrong end of LL), they've put in a new footbridge, but isn't operational until the lifts are installed which won't be til late spring, so exiting platform 2 is via the subway in Perry Vale. The shelters have also been removed, although there is a temp one on Platform 1.

From May, they'll be 4 trains per hour to London Bridge (same as ED is currently) with 8 to Dalston on the ELL.

[ruffers]

Bic Basher Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Ruffers, FH is now managed by London Overground in

> preparation for the introduction of the East

> London Line in May.

>

> I'm a regular user of the station (as I live down

> the wrong end of LL), they've put in a new

> footbridge, but isn't operational until the lifts

> are installed which won't be til late spring, so

> exiting platform 2 is via the subway in Perry

> Vale. The shelters have also been removed,

> although there is a temp one on Platform 1.

>

> From May, they'll be 4 trains per hour to London

> Bridge (same as ED is currently) with 8 to Dalston

> on the ELL.

4 an hour! Daytime presumably (I hope)

[Bic Basher]

ruffers Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> 4 an hour! Daytime presumably (I hope)

It's currently 6 an hour to London Bridge which works out at every 10 mins off peak. Reduced to 4 from May. (although 6 at morning peak)

We currently also have through services to Charing Cross Mon/Sat evenings and all day Sunday which are being axed with the introduction of the new timetable on Sunday.

[Eileen]

Thank you very much Barry. I know that everyone who has taken part in our work over the last few years locally in trying to improve the appearance of Peckham Rye station and Peckham town centre, will be delighted if you can get Spacia to do something about their property. We know how hard a nut that is to crack... If you succeed you deserve even more medals.

Eileen

SMBJones Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Hi Simon, completely agree with your comments and

> will take on board.

> Firstly I will ask one of my duty managers to go

> and take some pictures of the units you refere

> too. I will then liasise with my contact at

> Network Rail to see what can be done in

> conjunction with "Spacia"

> In the meantime, Southwark have kindly agreed to

> fund some new cycle racks, in addition we are

> looking at the possibility of opening the old unit

> (looking at the station front there is a unit to

> the right)which will also be used for cycle

> storage along with some additinal CCTV. We also

> have a new supplier for flowers which will also

> brighten up the station further.

> The area you refer to does not come within my

> remit but you have my word I will do everything in

> my power to bring the rest of the forecourt into

> some sort of order.

> Hope this helps

> Barry

>

>

[SMBJones]

Good afternoon

A couple of updates for you

Peckham Rye Station Front

I have personally spoken with the Route Director from Network Rail and put across the points regarding the "Spacia" retail units. They have assured me that they will look into this and will come back to me next week with their plans to fix windows, smarten up, etc

Short Formed Services

The services that were mentioned are in fact 6 Car services (Wimbledon-London Bridge) and (Crystal Palace London Bridge) and not 8 car as advertised on the Customer Information Screens, I can only apologise for this. However, I have spoken with my line manager and he has made some suggestions which have now been sent through to our Train Planning Dept and in addition these services will have some passenger counts taken over a period of a few mornings in order to support my request for these services to be strengthened (fingers crossed).

Ruffers

As stated Forest Hill is run by LOROL, I do know the Station Manager, so feel free to send your comments by PM and I will forward for you.

Can I also request that any customer renewing season tickets for January, can you please not wait untill 4th January, I am allowing 2 weeks before the expiry date on ticket for example, if your ticket runs out on 1st January then you can renew 14 days before.

2nd January also sees the launch of PAYG across the capital, all my stations have the PVALS (machines to tap in/out) or the gates. All the software is now downloaded and hopefully all should be ok on this date!

Lastly, just to let you know I am going to be off for a few days from tomorrow and will return Wednesday, no postings etc will be answered before then.

I think thats it, I am packed and off to Yorkshire and will sit back and be the passenger for a change:))

Regards

Barry Jones

[Ladygooner]

Have a lovely break in Yorkshire - hope you manage to get a seat and your train is not delayed!>:D

[Lost Yorkshire Man]

Take me with you SMBJ!!!

[Huggers]

Oh dear Barry, it wasnt good this morning at Peckham Rye. I gave myself plenty of time to get the 10.01 to London bridge, only to find an enormous queue both at the one open ticket booth and the machine. Someone was having trouble at the machine which meant nothing moved for five minutes and someone seemed to be having a querey at the booth. There were about ten people in front of me and another five behind. It was so frustrating. I missed my train and the next one was delayed. It was my first day on a short course and I was late for it.

Couldnt we have a fast response to such a situation ? I did point it out to the man sweeping.

A second kiosk did open eventually, but I'd waited twelve minutes already.

[Markjonathan]

Barry,

I'm afraid that the time it takes to buy a ticket at Peckham Rye as reported by Huggers is not an isolated one. It drives me crazy. I think generally the railway authorities think it's ok to have us queue.

Huggers: My imperfect solution is to try and buy the ticket the day before but I agree let's have shorter queues!

Mark

[SMBJones]

Hi

I can only apologise about the queues at Peckham, unfortunately the gate staff are purely for assisting passengers, ie train information and ensuring the smooth operation of the gates. During the mornings I have two ticket office staff and part of their duties is to maintain the ticket machines, when these malfunction it is their job to ensure they are put back into operation as quickly as possible. These staff members start between 6am and 630am and do not stop for a break untill after the morning peaks where one window is closed to facilitate this, I wouldnt employ someone to just cover breaks which I am sure you can appreciate.

There will be some organisational restructuring in the next few months and it is my intention to train the gate line staff to sell tickets from a small portable machine. Currently all of my gating staff are temps untill April 2010.

Lastly I hope to see a significant reduction in queueing once Pay As You Go is introduced on the 2nd January, as I have said in previous posts, all stations will be monitored closely and if no reductions are evident then I will go back to the drawing board

Barry

[SMBJones]

Hi

Just received a communication that the new speakers for East Duwlich will be installed Friday and the remaining will be tested at the same time

Barry