Euston — Local services in London

I come through Euston everyday so here are the pros and cons of it- Cons

1. the interior is really really ugly
2. the only announce trains about 5mins before they leave leading to a mad rush(seriously why can’t they just go from the same platform at the same time each night)
3. if your train arrives at a platform other than 8,9,10,11 their are only 2 Oyster card readers for all the people travelling from Watford.
4. there are very few bins
5. they now charge you fill your water bottle (hidden by the loos at platform 3-4)
6. the new departure boards mean everyone walks in different directions to get their train and it’s chaotic
7. the M&S is great but too small
8. the Sainsburys is hidden away and not sign posted only locals know about it.
9. the underground has no lift to the platforms (I know this is not their fault but so many people travel into this station with luggage)
10. when you find the tube and go down the escalator the northern line (split branches) is very badly sign posted so there ends up being loads of confused people at the bottom of the main escalator which is very busy and dangerous- clear signs or a staff member here would be great.
11. the step free access out of the station towards King’s Cross is very badly sign posted and people usually have to lug heavy luggage up and down the stairs.

Pros

1. the out of order signs for the lifts and escalators are EXCELLENT- if you know you know.
2. I see lots of people getting driven to the platforms if they need help which is great(and proof they know the platform numbers far earlier than they tell the rest of us)
3. the toilets are now free and relatively clean
4. staff when you find them usually friendly and helpful.
5. the Oliver Bonus is jolly nice

Anyway I wrote this while my train was delayed and my headphones had died. Just...

Arrived at Euston to collect my ticket from the ticket station near to platform 10. (National Rail) I was next in line waiting to use the machine. Ben approached with his disgusting off putting attitude making sly remarks saying 'there are alot of other ticket machines' I then commented 'I don't mind waiting' I was confused at this point because there was only 2 people at the ticket machine at the time. Then he went onto say 'he was then serving a customer so I'd have to use another machine' whilst screwing his face. This attitude working in a customer facing environment is absolutely not needed. I will not tolerate it. I have paid for my ticket to use the service and do not expect to be spoken to in that tone and manner. I have no issues using another ticket machine but his attitude and the way in which he went about the situation was very uncalled for and disgusting. I then realised he was changing perhaps rolls in the machines. His approach to this could have been very simple. Explain to the customer who is waiting that you need the machine and therefore will need to use another ticket machine. Some staff and management make it seem like their jobs are so hard. Do not bring your personal life issues to work. Stay home! Your staff or management needs to get trained on customer service and it's importance. I take customer service very serious. Ben should be considerate moving foward as he don't know the mental state of that individual. Not everyone is as patient as me, trust me. Do not recommend being served or approached by him if you want to have a pleasant day. Side note: The lady that was at the desk before he arrived with braids...

On 02/12 I visited Euston station to head home to Milton Keynes after a night out in London. It was my first time travelling alone and I felt quite vulnerable at first (side note, it was also freezing cold!). I had just missed my first train on platform one and realised I had a 30 minute wait for the next one so I thought I’d wait it out on platform one. I was absolutely freezing, and looking at TikTok’s on my phone when I was approached by a member of staff on the platform called Abdul. He checked my train ticket and found the correct platform for me, however (me being incapable of knowing where things are) I got lost finding the platform. Luckily I managed to find Abdul again, who then walked me down to the platform. He checked what seat I had booked and decided that he was going to upgrade me just because he was nice and we were having a nice natter on the way to the platform. He spoke to the driver of the train and upgraded me to standard premium, free of charge, then escorted me to my seat and wished me a nice trip home. It’s so rare to find customer service to that extent. He was consistently smiley and helpful, and went above and beyond, which actually made my experience extremely lovely. I went from feeling anxious and vulnerable to being so happy that I smiled the whole way home! I couldn’t be more positive about my experience today! Thank you Abdul (if you’re reading this) ~ it was a pleasure...