It depends where you are really. Some parts of the network still are pretty good, for example the lines that have been left quite untouched that run the 360's, and the links close to London still are quite good as they've left this quite alone. Without doubt things have improved in the last 2 years or so, but only after five years of backwards movement are we starting to get back to where we were before they won the franchise. I can't see things moving forward quickly, simply because investment is needed and I can't see National Express making that on their own, the refurbs are good example of what I mean - it's as little as possible.

The 170's running through to London was not in the franchise requirement, but lots of residents in the Lowestoft area were creating pressure, and National Express heard about this and put this in their proposals which won them many fans in these areas. When the 170's initally started these routes, they had a buffet, and just over one coach dedicated to first class, which cramped them even more, soon enough they removed buffets, and changed first class to one coach early. This improved things a little. People in Lowestoft no doubt will be outraged if the 170's are removed. But they need to look at the bigger picture, yes they might have to change trains, but their low capacity short trains, are causing capacity issues so other people can't get on - the later should always come first. The 170s can then be used to increase frequency on the local lines when they are not running to LOondon.

If the propsals to bring back 2x4 car 360's back to replace the through trains and restrict the DMU's to terminating at Ipswich from Lowestoft etc, are implemented to give a 15 minute clockface timetable like the old days, this will improve thigs dramatically. Ipswich currently has departures at 08 30 42 minutes past the hour to London , and the 30 is the 170, whereas before we had 00 15 30 45 with an MK3 then a 4 car 360, and so on.

First bought GB Railways, who owned Anglia, Hull Trains, and GB RailFreight after they got left off the shortlist for the new franchise. It was quite a big story at the time and First threatened legal action as they thought there was an ulterior motive behind it. FGE was train operator of the year at the time and had the best punctuality and reliability figures in the history of the line, went from having a subsidy to paying a premium over a few years. Anglia had previously held the train operator of the year title for the previous two years so it become almost certain in most peoples minds that one of them would get it.

Instead National Express got it, despite the fact their WAGN service was far behind the other two then operating in East Anglia. I guess the most contriversal point about the award of the franchise was the fact that the Government said that they would not take past performance into account - which is my view was pure incompetence. I totally agree it was right to merge them all into one, but the way it was done was ridicolous, and most believe was a way to take the highest paying bid with no regard for the user, but is a consequence of not taking past performance into account.

The only good thing about this franchise so far is the fact they've replaced 86's with 90's, which whilst they're still unreliable they mean you don't quite often hear "The next train at Platform one has been delayed and is expected to arrive in x minutes. National Express Apologises for the late running of service."