On a recent trip to London, I had the join of riding on the London Underground. The Underground is a wonderful rail system that makes it possible to get to almost every corner of London — when it’s running smoothly.
On my recent trip, I boarded a train in the late morning. As I waited for the train doors to close and for the train to pull out of the station, the train driver’s voice sounded over the PA (tannoy) system: The train was being held at the station to allow for the trains behind it to catch up.
What?!? We have to wait for the other trains to catch up? Why make everyone late?
Interested in reading more about our experiences with train delays?
(1) More train delays – it’s not our fault
(2) Metra blame game
(3) FGW: Fine Great Waste
I was on the dlr last week first thing in the morning and we were delayed for 5, then 10, then 15, then 20minutes trapped between two stations. The poor guy on the tannoy kept saying he was sorry about the hold up, and that we would be on the way soon. Eventually, he relented and explained that we weren’t moving because there was someone on the track.. He went on to explain this was not the “normal, person under the train” scenario, but rather a person was literally on the tracks, running about!! They eventually, had to get the police to go up and carry him off!!
@ Pete –
Makes you wonder whether there is some sort of policy that suggests that train drivers should be vague in their explanations of delays if the delay is than a certain of time.