Sir Alan Greengross, the chairman of the panel, has set about investigating some of the big issues affecting all rail transport users. These articles were pulished in South West Trains' bi-monthly on-board magazine, e-motion, until it ended in Winter 2008. Here you can view all of the articles that were written for the magazine and this website.
Archive
Issue 32 (Jan/Feb 2009) It's an Alice in Wonderland World
The government’s rewriting of the definition on the acceptable number of people standing on the train effectively abolishes overcrowding. Welcome to the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, says Passengers’ Panel chairman Sir Alan Greengross.
Issue 31 (Nov/Dec 2008) Taking the Right Track
What should passengers expect from a public service that is also a commercial enterprise? Sir Alan Greengross, Chairman of Passengers’ Panel, says it’s time to make some tough decisions.
Issue 30 (Sep/Oct 2008) A curious incident?
Is the low response rate to last issue's invitation for feedback because passengers are actually quite happy with their train service, wonders the Panel's Chairman Sir Alan Greengross.
Issue 29 (Jul/Aug 2008) Have your say and perhaps make a difference
Do you have an idea that would help improve passengers’ experiences by train? If so, the Panel wants to hear from you now, says its Chairman, Sir Alan Greengross.
Issue 28 (May/Jun 2008) I used to be uncertain—now I’m not so sure
The annual national survey of passengers has found that the vast majority of travellers are happy with their train service, but can that really be the case, asks Sir Alan Greengross, Chairman of Passengers’ Panel
Issue 27 (Mar/Apr 2008) Will someone please take responsibility?
In an industry that operates in such a fragmented way, whose fault is it when things go wrong, asks Sir Alan Greengross, Chairman of the Passengers’ Panel
Issue 26 (Jan/Feb 2008) Whither (or is that wither) the railways?
Despite the issues, South West Trains passengers seem relatively content with their service, but that doesn’t mean there is room for complacency, explains Sir Alan Greengross, Chairman of the Passengers’ Panel
Issue 25 (Nov/Dec 2007) Taking stock of the panel's role
Members of the Passengers’ Panel recently met to consider its future operation. This article is based on the discussion.
Issue 24 (Sept/Oct 2007) Move right down the carriage please
Alan Greengross, Chairman of the Passengers’ Panel, gives a passenger view of the government’s recent White Paper
Issue 23 (Jul/Aug 2007) More moving moments—or maybe not!
Alan Greengross, Chairman of the Passengers’ Panel, looks at the concerns of mobility in a changing world and how it will affect demand for public transpor
Issue 22 (May/Jun 2007) Knowing where we stand
With the current focus on climate change and how we can reduce our carbon footprint, it seems obvious that people should be encouraged to swap car for train travel. But with both fares and passenger numbers increasing, rail is not quite as attractive an option as it might be
Issue 21 (Mar/Apr 2007) Are we moving towards a frill-free future?
Fares are increasing and overcrowding is getting worse. Faced with financial and infrastructural constraints, operators now need to work with passengers to find solutions
Issue 20 (Jan/Feb 2007) So that's all right then?
When it was announced that South West Trains had won a fresh 10-year contract, it seemed at first sight to be one of those rare occasions when everyone was a winner
Issue 19 (Nov/Dec 2006) Building on success
What can passengers expect of the new franchise, which begins next February? The Panel outlines what it thinks should be the priorities over the next decade
Issue 18 (Sep/Oct 2006) A schoolboy’s dream
We often use the expression “It’s like driving a bus”, but never “It’s like driving a train”. Why? Is that because few of us can imagine what it’s really like? Jim Reside of the Passengers’ Panel asked for a cab ride to find out
Issue 18 (Sep/Oct 2006) Eye of the network
Passengers’ Panel Chairman, Sir Alan Greengross, visits the impressive state-of-the-art centre in Wimbledon that deals with security and the provision of up-to-the minute service information
Issue 17 (Jul/Aug 2006) A matter of discretion
South West Trains’ employees have a rulebook to follow but, as your comments to the Panel highlight, on occasions it needs to be put to one side and common sense applied.
Issue 14 (Jan/Feb 2006) A day in the life of a station manager
So, what does a Station Manager do? Jim Reside of the Passengers' Panel went to Puntey station to meet Paul Heggie, below, and found out
Issue 14 (Jan/Feb 2006) It's good to talk
Panel member Val Robertson, sat in on the the recent South West Trains live web chat and was impressed by the commitment to passengers shown at the very top of the company
Issue 13 (Nov/Dec 2005) Dawn of a new era
Dawn of a new era Passengers’ Panel Chairman Sir Alan Greengross spends a morning pacing the platforms at Basingstoke station with Dawn Loynes, one of South West Trains’ Group Station Managers
Issue 13 (Nov/Dec 2005) The real question
Overcrowding has become a major problem on Britain's railways. The following represents the views, concerns and understanding of the current situation by members of the Passengers' Panel, a totally independent body that speaks as a voice for passengers of South West Trains
Issue 12 (Sep/Oct 2005) So, what do we do?
Issue 12 (Sep/Oct 2005) Please tell us something
The Passengers’ Panel talks to Andrew Fairbank, Head of Customer Service, about what South West Trains is doing to improve the flow of information to passengers at times of disruption.
Issue 11 (Jul/Aug 2005) Why don't you make stations more accessible?
Issue 11 (Jul/Aug 2005) In the spotlight
Training? What training? If, like me, you have been faced with a less than helpful employee, you may assume that lack of training is responsible, but think again
Issue 10 (May/Jun 2005) Making a bid for 2007
South West Trains’ franchise expires in 2007. Sir Alan Greengross, Chairman of the Passengers’ Panel, talks to the company’s Commercial Director, Rufus Boyd, who has been seconded to parent company Stagecoach to assist with trying to secure the new opportunity
Issue 9 (Mar/Apr 2005) Where's the fat controller?
Have you ever wondered where the Fat Controller is? Marion Smith, a member of the Passengers’ Panel, set out to discover the answer when she visited the first fully integrated control centre at London Waterloo, which opened last February
Issue 8 (Jan/Feb 2005) Waterloo: a station you can't ignore
London Waterloo is imposing, from its history to its sheer size, but what do passengers think of the station?
Issue 7 (Nov/Dec 2004) The train now arriving at...
The introduction of a fleet of new trains has been the biggest single material change South West Trains has brought to the railway. Members of the Panel asked its Chairman, Sir Alan Greengross, to speak to Allison Ingram, Stagecoach Rail's Major Projects Director
Issue 6 (Sep/Oct 2004) Please tell us what's going on
Among many other things of concern, the Passengers' Panel has been discussing performance. The following is based on comments made over a series of meetings
Issue 5 (Jul/Aug 2004) Let's talk about it
Whether it's the provision of information at stations or better on-train announcements, the Passengers' Panel is working to help improve communications between South West Trains and passengers
Issue 4 (May/Jun 2004) Who's fault is it?
The railways are in a mess and we want someone to take responsibility. But the blame culture mentality is getting us nowhere, says Jim Reside, who believes it's time for a coherent rail policy
Issue 4 (May/Jun 2004) Counting the spoons
As the voice of train passengers on South West Trains, it's vital that we understand the issues that really matter to you so that we can protect your interests and ensure your views are strongly represented.
Issue 3 (Mar/Apr 2004) Who runs my train service?
Issue 3 (Mar/Apr 2004) Not always the brickbats
While a huge amount still needs to be done to improve the railways, the majority of train passengers recognise the enormous efforts made by staff to make a bad situation more bearable
Issue 2 (Jan/Feb 2004) Time to find a solution to the jam
You wake up late, there’s no milk for breakfast, you have a row before you leave home, the postman greets you with a letter from the Inland Revenue and it’s raining all the way to the station. Just when you think that life cannot get any worse, your train arrives—packed to the gills. Surely something can be done to ease overcrowding on the railways.
Issue 1 (Nov/Dec 2003) Investment needed
The poor state of some of the stations on the Hounslow Loop in West London was just one of the issues recently raised by the Panel