Rail bosses have been warned their franchise could be on the line.
Grilled by nearly 100 angry commuters in Manningtree yesterday evening, four managers from One were told the level of service was totally unacceptable.
South Suffolk MP Tim Yeo pledged that if the service had not improved by next year, he would go to the Secetary of State and say the franchise should be changed.
North Essex MP Bernard Jenkin, who chaired the meeting in Manningtree Methodist Church Hall, said: "It seems to me, that if you can fill a hall on a night like this, there is a very real issue."
The timetable was described as deplorable, with commuters reporting their working and home lives were being seriously affected.
Harwich MP Ivan Henderson was among those present, along with several Harwich commuters.
Jonathon Denby, head of corporate affairs, said a new timetable to increase punctuality had been a requirement of the Strategic Rail Authority. He said there were now 105 trains a day between Manningtree and London as opposed to 49 in 1995 and more people were travelling into London.
He admitted the first three weeks of the new timetable had been bad.
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Friday, February 25, 2005
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article