Sorry Sir Richard: my train trip was dreadful
I, too, have had the unfortunate experience of travelling on dangerously overcrowded Virgin trains East Coast (Mail). Last month, I was among many other travellers awaiting a Virgin train on a very overcrowded platform because the previous train had been cancelled. When the train arrived, there was a stampede. I couldn’t even board because so many people were standing in the corridors. After trying several doors, I had to force my way on. I then spent the entire journey standing, squeezed with many other people into the space between the carriages. It was hot and dangerous with no sign of any staff. It was impossible to move to use the toilets, and every seat in both carriages either side of me was reserved. Whatever the rights and wrongs of his spat with Sir Richard Branson, Jeremy Corbyn is making a valid point about the appalling exploitation of running privatised, sub-standard services with huge profits for owners. In addition, Southern Rail is beyond parody or comment on service reliability. Commuters have lost their jobs as a result or are forced to stay in expensive city hotels after failing to catch a train home. It’s all very well being critical of the exact circumstances under which Mr Corbyn exposed this problem, but that doesn’t mean the problem doesn’t exist.
DAVID NEWMAN, Brighton, E. Sussex. PERhAPS Sir Richard Branson should make available the video recording of the 16.09 Crewe to Glasgow Central Virgin train on Monday, August 8, where he will see me struggling with a large suitcase onto what I imagined was going to be a relaxing journey with a reserved seat. Not only were all the seats taken, but it was impossible even to reach my seat, as other passengers were sitting and standing in the aisle and corridors because it was so full. A young lady with a child on her lap had my seat. I saw this from afar, as I couldn’t get near it. I stood for the first part of a long journey until I decided to get off and back on in another carriage, a first-class one, where I asked to see the train manager. I was told the manager couldn’t get through the train to see me because it was so full. thankfully, I was invited to sit down. My ticket cost £172, so you might understand why I was loath to stand for any of the way. I have no idea if Jeremy Corbyn was pulling a stunt, but had he got on the 16.09 at Crewe, there was not a chance of finding a seat.
JOHN VINEY, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan.