Thurrock Gazette - Thurs 17/02/2005

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RAIL USERS CONTINUE TV FIGHT

Thurrock Rail Users' Group (TRUG) is continuing its fight against TVs on trains.

The group are pressing rail company c2c to stop their plans to put TVs on their trains' carriages and are campaigning for quiet zones on trains.

c2c argues that a survey conducted among its passengers indicated widespread support for on-board TVs but they have yet to reveal the nature of the question asked.

However, TRUG are in a dialogue with c2c about their plans and have been invited by the rail company to Birmingham to view the installation of TVs on their sister operation, Central Trains.

A TRUG spokesperson said: "We do consider that mountains remain to be climbed. But we are pleased to assure members and other rail customers that we have a constructive and open dialogue with c2c".

TRUG also praised recent c2c comments that indicate quiet zones, originally intended to be free of TVS, will now also be free of mobile phones and stereos.

A spokesman for c2c said: "We are giving quiet zones, free of TVs, phones and stereos, very serious consideration.

"There will still be TVs in every carriage but a percentage of each carriage will be a free zone".

TRUG have asked the Gazette to point out that they played no part in a protest staged last week where passengers packed into a toilet, saying that the loos would be the only place on the train free of TVs.

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