Planned Rail Commuters' Lavatory Protest 'Out of Order' - 08/02/2005
By Brian Farmer, PA - The Scotsman

QUOTE

Disgruntled commuters hopes’ of protesting by staging a sit-in on a train lavatory on a service they call “the misery line” were thwarted today – because the toilet was out of order.

Passengers on the Southend, Essex to Fenchurch Street, London, line, were trying to highlight their opposition to plans to put televisions on trains.

They say the televisions, which will broadcast news, travel updates and advertisements are noisy, intrusive and will not be able to be turned off.

“We were aiming to stage a sit-in in a toilet on the train because the toilet will be the only place on the train where we will be able to get a bit of peace and quiet when these televisions come in,” said commuter, Val Hand, 45, an office manager from Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

“People getting on at different stations were going to cram into the toilet and be photographed by the local press. But we couldn’t do it because the toilet we planned to use was out of order – which is ironic.

“This line is known as the misery line because of problems with overcrowding and delays – although to be fair it has been getting better.”

A spokesman for rail firm, C2C said he understood passengers concerns about televisions being “intrusive” but added: “We are going to introduce televisions on the trains because we believe it will enhance the passenger experience.”
 

UNQUOTE