Bikes, trains and a beer festival

I knew I should have tried fixing the new bike lights to my bike. And still I didn't. Instead, I waited until around 2220, scrabbling around in the dark beside the railings surrounding the beer festival venue with the clock ticking away to main train departure at 2243.

I then dropped the nut that fixes in position the strap of the light mounting. It disappeared into the long grass never to be seen again. Bugger. And steadily the clock ticked away to 2243. There was nothing for it but to hold the light in position and pedal furiously to the station.

I made it with about 90 seconds to spare only to find that the train already had its complement of 4 bikes and couldn't take any more. So I had to leave the bike locked up outside the station and go home without.

I think a stiff letter to National Express is called for.

Subject: Message to National Express

Yesterday evening I took the train from Newmarket to Cambridge with my bicycle and planned to return on the last train back, departing at 2243.

When I arrived, along with 2 other passengers (unconnected to me), I was unable to board with my bike. I was told that the train had its full complement of 4 bicycles.

I am extremely dissatisfied with the service of National Express for a number of reasons.

First, why was it not possible for your train staff to use their discretion whether to allow more bicycles to be boarded? I fully understood that the driver did not want his exit impeded but it would have been perfectly possible for them to have been stowed at the other end. I and my fellow passengers stated we were perfectly happy to stand with our bicycles to ensure they did not cause an obstruction. Your staff insisted they had to follow "health and safety" policy yet with a little imagination (particular from those drafting this particular policy) safety could have been retained and your paying customers not inconvenienced.

As it is, I now have to make an unnecessary journey to collect my bike from Cambridge station.

Secondly, why was such a small train provided for the last service of the evening? I took a 3-car Class 170 train at 1915 from Newmarket yet the last service of the evening was provided by a single car Class 156. Surely it makes sense to have a 2 car train for the final opportunity for
passengers to take the train home in the evening?

Finally, I am now concerned that I cannot rely on this service in the future if I need to cycle to and from Cambridge station. The train is already the only public transport available in the evening following the changes to an already dismal bus service. If I cannot be sure I can get
home with my bike (barring an unfeasibly large number of fellow cyclists turning up at the same time) what is the point of using your service?

I hope you will give these issues serious consideration and not simply retreat behind the usual "health and safety is our highest priority" mantra. I know it is and I'm not suggesting you compromise it. I am suggesting there are ways to modify your policies to improve the service to your paying customers and maintain a safe level of service.

And a reply via Dr Zep :

Dear Cunstormer

You sir are a gvnt, WTF should we lay on a gold plated service for beered up Newmarket residents who no doubt are breaking the law by cycling whilst under the influence, consider it an extra service that we saved you from yourself, now feck off back under the rock you came from.

Yours sincerely

Irrational Express

PS Don't let the above put you off making that second unnecessary journey to pick up your bike on our fine rail service, just make sure you don't plan to return on the last train with it again ahahahaha.

Over to The Rev who has the real response.