EC Food

[Lee_Again]

So, only day 2 and problems already. Was on the 18.33 From Kings Cross this evening (which left about 10 late). "Sorry, no dinner this evening..." came the message.

Do like the new cups and I swear the coffee is a different brand, and I think better. Oh yes, and no sparkling water; the guy opposite asked for it.

 

[sidmouth]

So, only day 2 and problems already. Was on the 18.33 From Kings Cross this evening (which left about 10 late). "Sorry, no dinner this evening..." came the message.

Do like the new cups and I swear the coffee is a different brand, and I think better. Oh yes, and no sparkling water; the guy opposite asked for it.

What a let down. Food has to be guaranteed as otherwise intending passengers will have to "stock up" before boarding the train rather than taking a risk of no food and going hungry.

 

[silentone]

Unfortunately the sheer demand from extra passengers from the airlines along with the to be expected teething troubles are creating some rather less pleasant experiences.

The coffee is no longer instant, but is brewed using freshly ground coffee.

At the minute it seems like the meals are not getting out but the sandwiches are loaded onto the train in huge quantities and crews should really be ordering up to keep that level. Every train I've been on has had at least 6 packs of each which is more than enough.

 

[Skimble19]

Give it time.. there's bound to be problems, not exactly helped by the massive influx of pax from the airlines! (Not that that's a bad thing mind).

 

[DaveNewcastle]

The coffee is no longer instant, but is brewed using freshly ground coffee

That depends on which unit/train set you find yourself on. They haven't all had the new machines fitted yet.

 

[Lee_Again]

Give it time.. there's bound to be problems, not exactly helped by the massive influx of pax from the airlines! (Not that that's a bad thing mind).

Tend to agree but this was leaving Kings Cross and only 50% full in First. Surely KX has a stack of food. If I was Elaine Holt I would have had every train packed with food in the first week to avoid this very thing happening. Especially given the full media launch. All too predictable.

Anyhow, I love the ECML, quite like EC and really want this to work for them. It has too really. I just don't get how the railway (as a whole) lets its self down time and time again. Staff, managers, Directors, Unions, working practices, not sure which is to blame, likely all, but it's got to change.

 

[silentone]

That depends on which unit/train set you find yourself on. They haven't all had the new machines fitted yet.

They are all fitted but some of them have issues, staff are being urged to report any which appear not to be working. The old instant coffee is on-board as a backup.

They turned these machines on too late and didn't provide instructions on how to work them until the last minute. I did raise this with them some months ago following the problems with the other new equipment.


Every train is also being rammed with food, but with the continuing disruption & unexpected demand.... nothing is going to plan.

New working practice. Ash Cloud & Disruption everyday! I do believe staff are doing incredibly well so far!

 

[Johnny Lewis]

Tend to agree but this was leaving Kings Cross and only 50% full in First. Surely KX has a stack of food. If I was Elaine Holt I would have had every train packed with food in the first week to avoid this very thing happening. Especially given the full media launch. All too predictable.

Anyhow, I love the ECML, quite like EC and really want this to work for them. It has too really. I just don't get how the railway (as a whole) lets its self down time and time again. Staff, managers, Directors, Unions, working practices, not sure which is to blame, likely all, but it's got to change.

I can't do anything but agree with you!

I am travelling on the 07.40 from Leeds this coming Friday morning - only as far as Peterborough, which is just over 70 minutes - so I should be entitled to the free breakfast offering. I am certainly interested to see how this will be delivered. I have deliberately held off from commenting in the other lengthy thread relating to this topic until I have experienced it for myself!

 

[Failed Unit]

Give it time.. there's bound to be problems, not exactly helped by the massive influx of pax from the airlines! (Not that that's a bad thing mind).

But these airline passengers are probably paying the full fare, rather than the rail passengers on APs in many cases. East Coast are making a lot of money out of them but they are viewed as an inconvenience. As I said on another thread peak time trains towards Edinburgh were typically fun in first anyway so the demand should not be a shock. On the 1500 yesterday all seats were reserved so again it's loading was no surprise.