First Capital Connect driver dispute: Your views (From Borehamwood Times)

First Capital Connect driver dispute: Your views

10:56am Thursday 26th November 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

AS THE First Capital Connect driver dispute continues, severe train delays are leaving commuters out in the cold - literally. REBECCA LOWE asks passengers at Elstree & Borehamwood Station what they think of the issue.

Tara Cawley, 22, a chip shop worker from Colindale, travels from Colindale to Borehamwood every day for work.

She said: "Getting to work every morning is a complete nightmare now. It should only take ten minutes, but now it's taking around 40.

"I blame the company, not the drivers. It's ridiculous what they are asking them to do."

Neil Applebee, 51, an office administrator from The Campions, Borehamwood, travels from Borehamwood to Victoria every day.

He said: "It really makes me angry. If what I've read is true, and FCC have been running nearly half their trains on a volunteer basis, that is just ridiculous.

"I often either go to Stanmore to get the Tube to Victoria, or get a bus to Colindale and get on the Northern Line. It's very frustrating.

"It has added about an hour onto my travel time."

Al Riskus, 27, a security system engineer from Vauxhall, travels from Vauxhall to Borehamwood every day.

He said: "I have to get up much earlier now. I normally get up at 7am, but now I have to get up at 6.20am.

"Sometimes, if the train isn't late after all, I end up standing in the freezing cold at work, waiting half an hour for someone to let me in. It's very tiring.

"I blame the company for the problem, not the drivers. I understand if they don't want to work for free."

Nigel Rodrigues, 40, a sales account manager from Richmond, travels from Richmond to Borehamwood every day.

He said: "It hasn't been too bad for me, not as bad as I thought it might be. I have had to leave home early sometimes, especially on Fridays, but overall the disruption has been ok.

"It can be pretty annoying, though, and I'll be happy when it's over."

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)