Letter to the Sevenoaks Chronicle on train services

Dear Sir,

Yet another post-weekend engineering works Monday morning meltdown has severely disrupted the journeys to work and study of many Sevenoaks commuters, with the usual accompanying information systems failure.

Southeastern is deservedly dishing out vouchers to its staff who struggle to give accurate advice to disgruntled customers in such challenging situations.

But what about the plight of the hard-pressed commuters who also continue to suffer from the London Bridge chaos on a regular basis?

The Conservatives have belatedly called for a freeze in fare rises in real terms, just ahead of the general election.

But local Lib Dems have consistently advocated an actual reduction in fares paid from Sevenoaks, in recognition of above average increases seen over many years now, combined with the current additional stress and strain of travelling to London and back.

Surely the commuter deserves a much better service, lower ticket prices and Oyster extension, as well as more adequate compensation when things go badly wrong with their journeys.

Yours,

Alan Bullion

Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Sevenoaks