Proposed timetable improvements by National Express train operator c2c have been welcomed by customers, following the company’s successful one day trial of its planned December 2011 timetable changes on 2nd August.
c2c will be introducing an additional 22 weekday stops at West Ham during the morning and evening peak periods from this December, giving customers improved journey options for travelling to and from this popular London station.
The enhancements are possible following the completion of a project to upgrade signalling equipment in the West Ham area.
c2c took the opportunity to plan ahead and trial the new timetable, in order to get an indication of customer feedback and fine tune the proposed timetable accordingly.
The special test event proved extremely valuable with positive feedback from passengers and impressive train performance with every train in both the morning and evening peak periods running on time.
Kevin Frazer, Operations Director for c2c said:
“We were pleased to trial our December timetable in full yesterday, including the additional stops at West Ham.
“Feedback from customers so far has been really encouraging. In addition, the punctuality figures for the morning and evening peak were 100%, so the trial also went very well operationally.”
The extra stops make many existing journeys quicker, improve interchange opportunities and make some new journey options much more attractive.
One delighted customer Susan Hantson said:
“Fantastic and can’t happen fast enough. Today was a beautiful journey to work from Chafford. Only one change and one tube instead of usual 2 tubes and 2 changes….I cannot wait to try the journey home.
“Currently my average is 1 hour 50 mins, tonight with the stops at West Ham I could make it in 1 hour 10 mins.”
Another customer, Louise Pearce commented:
“I was very pleased to see an additional stop on the timetable for West Ham on the 07.26 from Chafford Hundred … it will give me another train option and I think it would be greatly received from those travelling from Chafford.”
