I am confused by Connex's strategy for enticing new customers onto its trains.

I witnessed Connex officials placing £25 tickets onto the windscreens of their customers in the Chelsfield station car park. The pay and display machine has been out of order for months but this didn't deter the fervent officials.

It makes one question whether the Government is actually serious about its commitment to public transport. Surely by penalising those who are brave enough to travel by train you are shooting yourself in the foot. Free station parking seems fairly reasonable to me but I do appreciate as a mere citizen (and female) my views probably do not count for much.

Very few people give up smoking because of the huge amount of tax levied on cigarettes.

In the same way people will not give up their cars easily, perhaps more use of the carrot and less of the stick may help!

Julie Oldfield

Arundel Drive

Chelsfield

August 1, 2001 14:55