The full Panel met on the 8th September 2009. Amongst other things -
Tina Cook (The Customer Information Manage) after thanking the Panel for comments at previous meeting which had been helpful and taken on board, presented the Company’s latest plans on Customer Information During Disruption.
Following a long discussion, Members suggested that, amongst other things, the ‘third line’ on the Information Boards might be ‘localised’ so that it would give more pertinent information to those standing on that particular station. There was also a strong plea for better information to be given at times of disruption about how long a delay might last so that passengers could at least consider alternatives. The suggestion was also made that more needed to be done about providing travel and other information when you get off the train at a station you don’t usually use.
During the rest of the meeting a number of other matters were discussed. Following a letter from a passenger to the Panel we discussed whether children should be allowed to sit whilst adults stood in trains. It was decided at the end not to make representations to the Company at this stage.
The closing of exits at Brookwood Station as a result of staff reductions and the resulting inconvenience to commuters from Pirbright – a detour walk of around a mile and a half – gave rise to a lot of unrest and a subsequent approach to the Company. We are delighted to report that the exit will now remain open 24.7 especially since this could well become a problem at other stations as well.
The whole question of alterations at stations was discussed in some detail. Although the need for change was well appreciated, there was a strong feeling that the Company should be urged not merely to go through such statutory consultations as were required but should also undertake to consult passengers as such as well. The Panel will be taking this up in the near future.
The Panel also discussed Cycle facilities which were felt to be in need of improvement and the Panel has asked for someone from SWT to come to the next meeting to discuss what can be done