Last year, First Capital Connect removed a 75% discount which was given to students from some sixth-forms by the previous franchise holders, WAGN and Thameslink. This has been replaced by a 34% discount, which is theoretically available to more people, but only from certain stations (e.g. no-one south of London is entitled to the discount, and passengers between Hadley Wood, Crews Hill, Elstree & Borehamwood and London can only get discounts if travelling to stations north of those listed).
In theory, it sounds like a good idea. Sadly, in practice this is not the case. Customers who have lost the old discounts have faced 170% fare increases, and the changes were not well publicised, with many people complaining about the lack of notice.
The purpose of this blog is to get FCC to notice the problems people face. I really hope FCC can do the decent thing and reinstate a more substantial discount, in line with other operators (National Express East Anglia provides a 50% discount, for example).
Friday, 19 September 2008
Meet the Directors
FCC hosted a 'Meet the Directors' online discussion today (Friday 19th September), where many students posted questions to the senior management over the Student Connect scheme.
I was unimpressed with many of the responses. Most of them were a standard reply. Only after numerous questions were asked was a more original answer given.
One of the questions called for a review of Student Connect. The managers did not seem forthcoming, however I feel this could be a good opportunity for feedback from students, and for FCC to bring people on their side.
Come on FCC! It's really good that they provide the opportunity to speak to the directors, but we need to be able to make real progress.
Visit the First Capital Connect website, click Talk to Us>Meet the Directors>19th September 2008 and select Tickets - Pricing from the dropdown menu.
I was unimpressed with many of the responses. Most of them were a standard reply. Only after numerous questions were asked was a more original answer given.
One of the questions called for a review of Student Connect. The managers did not seem forthcoming, however I feel this could be a good opportunity for feedback from students, and for FCC to bring people on their side.
Come on FCC! It's really good that they provide the opportunity to speak to the directors, but we need to be able to make real progress.
Visit the First Capital Connect website, click Talk to Us>Meet the Directors>19th September 2008 and select Tickets - Pricing from the dropdown menu.
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