Post by Chris M on Apr 27, 2006 11:53:08 GMT
Not quite sure where to put this, but I got it in an email. I don't know the original source:
TRAIN FIRM WIPES OUT HALF OF LONDON TUBE
TRAVELLERS using a map of the London Underground released by transport giant First Great Western face a major
problem - half the lines are missing.
Sent out to members of the company's Forward Club for frequent and business travellers, the map looks more like
the original one designed by Harry Beck in 1933.
Back then there were only eight lines running across London but more than seven decades later another six have
been added.
Although the network has changed almost beyond recognition since Beck's day, the iconic map - which recently came
second to Concorde in a poll of great British designs - has retained its unique style.
But the version sent out by First Great Western is far from complete, lacking the maroon Metropolitan line, the
brown Bakerloo line, the silver Jubilee line and parts of the black Northern line and the blue Piccadilly line. Also
missing from the map are parts of the London Underground, known affectionately by residents in the capital as The Tube,
missing from the map are parts of the London Underground, known affectionately by residents in the capital as The Tube,
which are under construction.
First Great Western blamed the mistake on a error at the printers and said it would rectify the problem as soon as
possible.
Neil Parsonson, aged 50, lives in Oldland Common with his wife and two of his four children and is a member of
First Great Western's Forward Club.
He said: "I have been a member of this club for a while but this mailing came in through the post on Tuesday
morning.
"I thought it looked like a useful thing to have but even just glancing at it, straight away I realised that most
of it wasn't complete.
"Some lines were missing altogether and others just seemed to disappear into the ether.
"I actually rang First Great Western and they didn't seem very interested. For a railway company it's a rather
daft mistake to make and for those who don't understand the Underground it would be very confusing indeed."
Jane Cobell, spokeswoman for rail passenger watchdog Passenger Focus, said: "It's good to recognise frequent
travellers and to give them regular advice.
"Unfortunately on this occasion there has been a glaring error and we would like to see First Great Western
rectify it as soon as possible to prevent more confusion."
Tim Bowcock, spokesman for First Great Western, said: "This has happened because of a printer error, we have
checked our proofs and they look as the London Underground should do.
"The packs went straight out from the printers so it was impossible for us to check they were all correct.
"We have got the printers to reprint the map and send them back out. It should be happening within the next week
or so."
TRAIN FIRM WIPES OUT HALF OF LONDON TUBE
TRAVELLERS using a map of the London Underground released by transport giant First Great Western face a major
problem - half the lines are missing.
Sent out to members of the company's Forward Club for frequent and business travellers, the map looks more like
the original one designed by Harry Beck in 1933.
Back then there were only eight lines running across London but more than seven decades later another six have
been added.
Although the network has changed almost beyond recognition since Beck's day, the iconic map - which recently came
second to Concorde in a poll of great British designs - has retained its unique style.
But the version sent out by First Great Western is far from complete, lacking the maroon Metropolitan line, the
brown Bakerloo line, the silver Jubilee line and parts of the black Northern line and the blue Piccadilly line. Also
missing from the map are parts of the London Underground, known affectionately by residents in the capital as The Tube,
missing from the map are parts of the London Underground, known affectionately by residents in the capital as The Tube,
which are under construction.
First Great Western blamed the mistake on a error at the printers and said it would rectify the problem as soon as
possible.
Neil Parsonson, aged 50, lives in Oldland Common with his wife and two of his four children and is a member of
First Great Western's Forward Club.
He said: "I have been a member of this club for a while but this mailing came in through the post on Tuesday
morning.
"I thought it looked like a useful thing to have but even just glancing at it, straight away I realised that most
of it wasn't complete.
"Some lines were missing altogether and others just seemed to disappear into the ether.
"I actually rang First Great Western and they didn't seem very interested. For a railway company it's a rather
daft mistake to make and for those who don't understand the Underground it would be very confusing indeed."
Jane Cobell, spokeswoman for rail passenger watchdog Passenger Focus, said: "It's good to recognise frequent
travellers and to give them regular advice.
"Unfortunately on this occasion there has been a glaring error and we would like to see First Great Western
rectify it as soon as possible to prevent more confusion."
Tim Bowcock, spokesman for First Great Western, said: "This has happened because of a printer error, we have
checked our proofs and they look as the London Underground should do.
"The packs went straight out from the printers so it was impossible for us to check they were all correct.
"We have got the printers to reprint the map and send them back out. It should be happening within the next week
or so."
