The Ticket Collector

First Group bans hands free mobiles

First Group will ban employees from using mobile phones even with legal hands-free kits, from next year.

FirstGroup’s bus and train drivers are already banned from using them and this ban will extend to any staff on business.

The firm commissioned research which suggests talking behind the wheel can quadruple the risk of accidents.

The Transport Research Laboratory study found hands-free kits provided no safety advantage over illegally holding a phone while driving.

According to the research, a driver on the phone was more distracted than a driver who had drunk as much as the legal alcohol limit.

The risk of a crash was four times higher when the driver was on the phone, it found.

Good bye Kings Cross Thameslink, Hello St Pancras International.

The new St Pancras station quietly opened on Sunday 9th December 2007. The main opening was on Monday 10th Decemeber 2007 when the official brown noseing session with Ruth Kelly and many FCC directors took place.

At Farringdon it seems that drivers still need reminding that Kings Kross Thameslink is closed.

As you travel through Kings Cross Thameslink the station has been transformed into a series of “Do not Alight here” signs. This could be hard as the trains tend not to stop here anymore.

Commuters on Monday morning at St Pancras received an envelope which had a card and a chocolate inside it.

Staff have received the same envelope and have also been given a nice metal keyring with the FCC “Love St Pancras” logo on it. Im sure a few of these will pop up on eBay very soon.

Bodies found on the Fen Line

The line between Kings Lynn and Downham market was closed today due to 2 bodies having been found on the tracks. It was originally reported by the driver at around 08:00 as the train hitting a deer.

After an investigation by railway officials and British Transport Police the scene was declared a crime scene. Buses were ordered and replaced trains between Downham Market and Kings Lynn.

There is no further information from BTP or FCC at this present time on possible causes.

The line was re-opened at around 15:00 today.

New railway companies today

Bye bye to the following companies:
Midland Mainline
Central Trains
Virgin Cross Country

Hello to:
London Midland (Govia)
Arriva Cross Country
East Midlands Trains (Stagecoach)

These companies have started today Sunday 11th November 2007.

Forecast of flooding to affect eastern England

Due to a forecast of high tides and strong winds creating possible flood conditions, train services along the eastern coasts of England may be subject to disruption during Friday 9th November

One Railway services are suspended between Norwich and Lowestoft/Great Yarmouth. Passengers are advised there are no alternative arrangements in place and are advised not to travel. Passengers for Brundall Gardens, Brundall, Cantley Reedham, Haddiscoe,Somerleyton and Oulton Broad are advised not to travel.

Poor weather conditions in Scotland and England

We have just been informed that their are bad weather conditions expected in the next few hours. Speed restrictions are expected on some costal lines. Also be aware that poor rail conditions will cause some delays.

We are also hearing that delays are expected for tomorrow morning, we will let you know as soon as we recive the information, as this has not yet been confirmed.

GNER cancelations today:
15:30 Kings Cross (London) to Edinburgh due 20:19 - no reason given

Broken… Train, Level Crossing and Signals.

Today on GN.

There was a broken down train between Wakefield Westgate and Doncaster.
There was a broken down GNER train in the Huntingdon Area.
There was a power supply issue to a Level Crossing between Huntingdon and Peterborough, this was causing all trains to run at a reduced cautionary speeds.
There was also signal problems in the Kings Cross approach Area.