*** most recent updates at foot of page, updated 03/05/2005,
including confirmation that the 'TV on trains' trials on c2c are over. ***
c2c have recently signed a six year deal with US company
360 Onbord (who were
previously known as TNX) to put 6 (yes six) TVs into each carriage of their
train fleet. Quiet areas (as opposed to a quiet coach) are being provided for
people who don’t want to watch the advertising, news and travel information the
TVs will be showing.Advertising and sponsorship deals mean the cost of the
TV system will not be passed
on to c2c passengers.
c2c Managing director Andrew Chivers has stated “We are a modern railway with a
young and demanding customer base and we believe the TNX system will provide a
valuable service"
However 360onboard have a
slightly different spin:
"It offers the chance to target upscale audiences on an exclusive
platform.
Focusing on the UK’s billion plus commuter market creates, in effect,
two new commercial ‘prime time’ opportunities - every day.
360 Onboard's remarkable media flexibility allows you to achieve rapid
impact results - combining onscreen, online, interactive and live
messaging tailored packages to suit your audience"
Do you want you train journey to become 'two prime time' advertising
opportunities everyday?
TRUG have carried a quick straw poll of our members and discovered that the vast
majority DO NOT WANT on train TVs and those that did wanted a DEDICATED quiet
coach.
The Continental Research have recently carried out some research on the ambience
of trains and how passengers spent their journey time. This researched showed
people generally looked at the journey home form work as their time and it
enabled them to relax. This seems to indicate they do not want their journey
home interrupted by TV advertising.
We are strongly pressing c2c to reconsider and introduce at least one quiet
coach with no TVs, that will also ban personal stereos and mobile phones. Other
train companies such as Virgin, GNER and SWT have already introduced
quiet coaches.
With the launch of this website, we have another means of gauging
passengers opinions on issues effecting c2c and would appreciate your indicating your
feelings towards on train TV by contacting us
AND completing the poll opposite.
This subject is getting a lot of
press at present.
It would appear that c2c are not the only train company signing up. All of
National Express's commuter franchises (ONE, Silverlink, Central) have or will
soon have TV's, plus
Southern have signed up as well.
Links to other websites featuring comments on 360onboard can be
found here. Some are VERY interesting.
In
his interview on the Jeremy Vine show, on Radio 2, (transcript
here), David Hamilton c2c Commercial Director, stated that 30% of the train
would be TV free. David has kindly confirmed to TRUG that the percentage of TV
free seats is in fact 23% or 61 seats out of 278 per
4 car train.
All are welcome to a planning meeting on the evening of Wednesday 16th Feb,
5.30pm, in The Goose pub, across the road from the main entrance to Fenchurch
Street station. Even if you can't stay, pop by and sign the new petition or just
give us a thumbs up
More links added to 360onboard on the webpage. Protest
letter to MP's added. More feedback from passengers added.
Interesting letter to
The Times,
on Tuesday 15th Feb, plus 2 in The
Independent
More press articles plus and further
comments received through this website
On the 22nd Feb 2005, TNCI UK (360onboard) issued a notice of intention to
appoint administrators pursuant to the United Kingdom Insolvency Act of 1986.
This does not necessarily mean the end of 360onboard, indeed TRUG have been
invited to see 360onboard 'in action' on Central Trains, on Monday 28th Feb, the
visit is still on, which seems to indicate c2c have every confidence 360onboard
will continue trading.
There are some differences in the installation of the
TVs on Central Trains & c2c.
Click the links for photographs.
The BBC news website
has an interesting article on the 'TV on trains' debate.
The
Americans have a version on 'TV on trains' that delivers the audio content
via FM radio. The audio channel put out by the 360onboard TVs has been the major (but
not only) concern of the vast majority of people who have contacted us. Perhaps
c2c adopting this model would be a useful compromise?
More
360onboard links added
Protesters against the TVs held a petition signing & demonstration outside Fenchurch Street
station on the night of Wednesday 09/03/2005. A BBC TV camera crew were in
attendance, filming an article on Captive Audience Networks. More
360onboard links added
Letter of support from Solihull and Leamington Rail Users Association
Some more links concerning 360onboard added to our 360 links page.
We also link to an article about the TVs being currently being installed on
German trains,
which do not have sound, the comments of the chief of the company installing
them make an interesting comparison to c2c : "We do not use any sound for one
main reason: the passenger should not feel disturbed. He can look away from the
screen, but he could not look away from the sound. This makes it a little more
complicated to use ads which were created for TV, but it helps to gain a very
high level of acceptance."
More comments
received objecting to the TV's
It would seem TNX / 360onboard are on the
verge of recovering from Administration as they have been able to raise
$2.3 million
additional funding.
Comments from Dr B Ching in the May edition of
Private Eye regarding the TVs.
The Midlands Rail Passengers Council referring to on train TV as a
gimmick.
*** TV Trials Over ***
c2c have announced that the trial of 'TV on trains' is over, due to its partner,
TNCI (UK) Ltd, ceasing trading.
c2c believe there is a future for on train television, which they have stated will provide
a number of passenger benefits, such as real time travel information. If c2c can find a new
partner, they will endeavour to take concept forwards.
TRUG are pleased to note that c2c have stated they will ‘recognize the views of
our customers and the experience gained over the last few months of trials’ in
any future system.
TRUG have already made representations to c2c regarding our concerns of the
previous system and what we would hope and expect to see in any future television
service, these included ‘quiet’ televisions where the soundtrack is absent or
delivered via innovative methods, such as FM radio, together with greater provision of
quiet/TV free zones including a dedicated quiet/TV free coach.
We look forward to working with c2c, should they find a new partner, to ensure
that the needs of all passengers, including those that may not wish to watch
television everyday, during their commute to and from work, are met by any
future project.
The TVs on the trial train have now been removed!
The prospect of Television on c2c trains have not gone away, TRUG are in
discussion with 2 companies who are seeking to reintroduce the scheme. TRUG are
pushing for dedicated quiet coaches and not less that 50% of any train being
fitted with TVs. We will keep you informed of developments.
TVs have
returned to Central Trains
Updated 28/01/2006
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