Reader Comments:

Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.

• J Ellison, Kettering, UK

  I feel the problem lies firmly with Stagecoach, you speak to there employee's whether they are employed on bus or rail services they are generaly disatisfied and disengaged.
  Perhaps the stagecoach management should review there style of people management and consider that employee's are their most valueable assets.
  An engaged workforce will work with you as team members and won't need bully boy tactics to get them onside.
  As for Stagecoach listening to there passengers, since when have pasengers asked to have their fares increased the amounts they have seen since Stagecoach have taken on the EMT franchise and since when did passengers at Kettering and Wellingborough ask to have there services to Leicester cut in half from 1 service every half hour to 1 service an hour. Everyone is really happy!!

• T Veit, Nottingham

  I am a regular commuter from Nottingham to Leicester and am sick and tired that as a passenger we have to suffer if there is dispute between some drivers and Stagecoach/EMT or whoever.
  I rely on trains to commute for my work (of which I might get a 0.5% pay increase this year if lucky!) and it is less than helpful to organise this for every Friday and Monday in the weeks to come. £ 38,500 annual salary for a train driver is an excellent pay in this day and age and I would suggest that those drivers who want more apply somewhere else or take their protest directly to the management rather than incoveniencing the public yet again!
  This route has been plighted by driver action (four Sundays in a row in May/June with no London services) due to yet another dispute....!

• Ann Adamson, Ripley, Derbyshire, UK

  I think that this is disgraceful! As someone else said, it is not as if they are on anywhere near the minimum wage! How long do does it take to learn this job? My son is trying to get qualified as an accountant and his company put all raises on hold in April. All, bar none of this large company agreed to this as, (any of us lucky enough to be employed), they are pleased to have a job! Come on you train drivers etc., do not make life difficult for the rest of the world, through your selfishness.

• Andy, Derby, UK

  10 Years I used Central Trains/East Midlands, & for 8 years they could not live up to providing a third world service. 4 or five of my 10 journelys per week were late. 2 or 3 times a month I put claims in for the >30 minute delay. As well as late, they were overcrowded & smelly.
  
  Eventually, after 8 years, I was impressed that they did, indeed, manage to provide a service which you would expect in a third world country (well done).
  
  Anyway, for the past 10 months I have used Northern Rail. This is a million percent better. With the execption of the very first journey (the train went the wrong way) I have not put in a single claim for delays. I have never had to stand for the journey. I have been most impressed by what a train service can possibly be like when run by responsible adults.
  
  My only problem was a special journey, where the provider was EMT. Quel surprise, CANCELLED. Good ridadnce to EMT, their staff, their attitude, their dis-service & their livelihood.

• Professional and proud Driver, Derby, Uk

  It's about time people looked at the facts! This deal was set to be agreed and introduced by the start of 2009! Before any so called "current financial climate" came about! And lets not forget this company posted increases in figures year on year and are still claiming poverty! Nobody wants to strike least of all the drivers, bur those greedy buggers upstairs have left them no other option! If all the drivers are on strike I think the question should be WHO IS DRIVING THE TRAIN EXACTLY?

• Brian Richards, London

  To all those people (passengers) who condemn the union and strike action. please spare a thought for the driver who has to take the brunt of all your complaints, the stress of working under pressure constantly, the verbal abuse from angry passengers and management and the constant threat of disciplinary action if a simple mistake is encountered.....train drivers are human beings not robots, this is not just about pay increases but better working conditions.

• Jim Brown, Nottingham, England

  Train Drivers /Union Members,
  
  Get a life! Do you not realise in today's economic climate that you are jeopardising your own futures?
  
  Its simple, if you carry out your planned strike action, people will simply put their business elsewhere - I for one wouldn't want to travel on your unreliable train.
  
  I have a few friends that are train drivers and to be blunt, its not as if your on a minimal wage, is it! There a lot of people in far worser situations.
  
  Just think of the inconvenience and bother this is going to cause to other workers and those going on holiday - you are destroying your credibility as professional people.
  
  Jim

• Daniel Lee, Nottingham

  This union is constantly in dispute with EMT and this is having an adverse impact on passenger retention and satisfaction. I frequently use the EMT service and when it is operating normally, I am always pleased with its punctuality and reliability; however, I have been delayed by strike action very often and it is totally unacceptable.
  
  The pay increase that EMT is proposing is fair in the current economic situation and EMT staff should be glad that they are seeing such increases. I think it is greedy to expect more and these disputes will drive away passengers because, ultimately, it will be us who foot the bill for these pay increases!
  
  Around a year ago three was a news article about train driver wages which were huge in comparison to other public transport providers. They should count themselves lucky.

• Gwen Bragg, Southwell, Notts, UK

  I shall be travelling back to Nottingham on the 31st and I would rather be on a comfortable train than a bus. This is sure to take longer too. I would need to know whether my train was running or not as I am being met.

• P.STOKES, Rushden

  Aslef
  
  I am approaching my 60th Birthday and I have been involved with many discussions with Unions similar to yours and this proposed actions will end in tears for both your members and families.
  
  Your salaries are mind busting for certain staff, perhaps you should look inwards not outwords for equality of pay..
  
  I ,after many years of travelling by Road now rely on Public Transport to London and will switch my allegiance elsewhere if this strike goes ahead.
  
  Also I have started my own business in the last two years and your proposed action is threatining my survival and other businesses.
  
  Get real - the trains are becoming more popular and over
  -crowded and this is good for your members - if they can rely upon an uniterrupted service.
  
  At the time we are hoping to expand the Rail Network you are almost vidicating the Beeching Report, i.e. Monoploly. - cuts are required.