Here’s the second regular newsletter, specially created for commuters with the Kings Ferry and the Travel Link. We were delighted with the feedback from the first issue – some of your comments are included below. Please let us know what you think of this one.
Going Green
We’re delighted to be the first coach company in the UK to offset our carbon emissions in an effort to combat global warming.
Obviously, we use a lot of fuel (which produces greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide), but we’ve now arranged to match or exceed the carbon emissions from every mile we drive.
We are always conscious of our impact on the environment, and are proud that all our coaches will be carbon-offset in this way.
As global warming is a worldwide problem, it makes no difference where the carbon offsetting is achieved. So we invest to improve living standards in developing countries while providing global climate benefits, such as by clean energy projects and community-based tree-planting.
By choosing the coach, you’ve already chosen one of the most environmentally friendly ways to travel, as shown in this table.
CO2 emissions in kilogrammes per passenger per journey
Mode of transport
London to Edinburgh
London to Bristol
Plane
96.4
N/A
Car*
71.0
21.3
Rail
11.9**
10.6***
Coach
9.2
3.3
Assumes 1.56 people per car. ** Modern high speed electric train. *** Modern diesel train.
Source: Department for Transport/National Atmospheric Emission Inventory 2004
Isn’t it good to know by choosing to travel with the Kings Ferry or the Travel Link, your journeys are all now carbon-neutral as well? This also applies if you book a coach anywhere in the world through our Connections service at www.coachhireconnections.co.uk
Three of our vehicles are currently being repainted with a new sign to show we’re ‘Making Travel Greener’, the other 72 will have stickers applied to the entrance door and the rear.
We understand that commuting the same route every day can be repetitive and boring, and we know that many of our passengers choose to sleep during the journey.
We’re conscious of how annoying it can be when other passengers want to chat, or you can overhear them talking on their mobile phones. We’re also aware that some people like to ‘save a space’ next to them, so they have more room to themselves.
All these behaviours are perfectly natural, but we do ask you to be considerate of your fellow travellers – all commuters are ‘in it together’ and if everyone behaves respectfully, it makes the experience more pleasant for everyone else.
Onwards and upwards
Some of you will know our drivers Darren and Raf, as they have both been with us for many years.
As part of their personal development, they have now moved into our Operations Department to work as Duty Managers. Along with the rest of the team, their role is to keep our coaches moving, but now from the office, instead of behind the wheel.
We’re glad to create this opportunity for our long-serving staff members to gain new skills.
Customer Comment
“I have been travelling on the Kings Ferry Coaches for almost 3 years and am always amazed at how hard the drivers work to get us in or out of London, day in and day out. The friendly banter on the radios letting each other know what’s occurring ahead, and recommending the easiest routes in and out, is just fantastic.I will be honest my season ticket runs out very soon and I seriously considered crossing to Chalkwell as they are cheaper.
However when I sat down and thought about it, Kings Ferry staff are great, the ticket collectors are great, there is usually coffee which is great and the service is great. And to be honest all those features along with the timekeeping, cleanliness and professionalism are all worth the extra. I am currently in the process of renewing my season ticket.”
Question and answer
Q. “Is there any reason why the customer comment is anonymous? To some people it would look made up.”
A. All the comments we quote are genuine, but we respect passenger privacy so we only include names where we have also received permission. The original evidence is held in our office so we can produce it if required.
Contacting our Commuter Department
Phone: 01634 265510.
To speak to us outside normal office hours, press 1 for ‘Commuter Services’, then press 1 again for ‘Today’s Services’. We’re here from 4.30am to 8.00pm, Mondays to Fridays.
Post: The Kings Ferry Ltd, The Travel Centre, Gillingham, Kent ME8 6HW
London
