Southend's MPs met with representatives from c2c to call for improvements to the rail service.
James Duddridge and Anna Firth joined Rob Taylor, Interim Managing Director and Gary Webb, interim head of communications of c2c to discuss issues with the service.
This included issues with the ticket machines, a lack of staff at stations, delays and cancellations.
The MPs also brought up the fact that there is no contactless ‘tap-in’ system on the network.
Commenting, Anna Firth said:
“We must have the quality of public services that are fitting for a major city. In Southend we are lucky that our train services can reach London in under an hour. However, too often the service that is provided is not good enough – Sir David used to refer to c2c as the misery line, and it is disappointing that this is still the case.
“The trains and ticketing system need updating – there are no power points on the trains, so commuters cannot work on their journeys, delays and overcrowding are too frequent, and astonishingly one cannot use contactless payments, as you can in London and on some GWR services. Improvements must be made– Southend deserves better!”
James Duddridge said:
“With Covid in the rear review mirror, and more commuters heading back to the office, it is really important that we continue to have a decent train service running in and out of Southend.
“It is also vital that this service is in keeping with a modern city, which is why we are eager to see things like contactless payments at barriers introduced, and journey times into London made quicker.”
