IT makes me laugh that GNER states that it welcomes competition from other rail firms.

As a frequent passenger on GNER, I really do want to have more choice as to who I use.

I have been working in Dundee, where I usually travel on Monday and return to York on a Friday.

I have made 28 journeys on the East Coast Main Line (ECML). Eighty per cent of my departure/arrival times have been late. I have had my reserved seats on three occasions double booked, to which I have had to stand for part of the journey. What makes me really cross is that there is room in first class, but that is not offered to me as an option until other seats are available.

The toilet cleanliness is disgusting, and the smell does spread to adjacent coaches. On three occasions, I have been sat in the "quiet" coach and I have been surrounded by stag/hen parties whose behaviour is totally unacceptable. When complaints are directed to train staff, what do they do? They stop checking tickets and are never seen again. I welcome competition because GNER does not, in any way, value me as a customer. For £76.20 per return ticket I want an effective service which GNER does not offer.

John Jones,

Riverside House,

Huntington Road, York.

Updated: 11:11 Wednesday, February 15, 2006