11:06am Thursday 4th January 2007
TRAIN operator c2c has confirmed that its "old" timetable will be reintroduced next Monday, January 8 - with more carriages for homeward-bound Thurrock commuters.
The schedule will replace the rail company's new timetable, which has been scrapped less than a month after its introduction was plagued by problems.
Thousands of angry commuters had called for the move after the new timetable, introduced on December 11, was hit by delays, cancellations and overcrowded trains.
Managing director Mark Hopwood said: "The peak timetable introduced on December 11 has not been well received by many of our customers and we feel that it is right to withdraw it and to revert to the previous timetable at the earliest possible opportunity.
"We are sorry that many of our customers have been upset by the recent changes and we are responding to their concerns by reverting to the old timetable."
Some minor alterations will remain. The weekday 4.20pm and 6.22pm departures from Fenchurch Street to Stanford-le-Hope via Ockendon will be extended from four to eight carriages. The company has decided to retain its new weekend timetable, which includes new through trains to Southend via Ockendon.
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