C2c
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Template:Lowercase Template:Infobox Rail companies c2c is a train operating company that provides train services, on a franchise basis, on the London, Tilbury & Southend line from Fenchurch Street in the City of London to East London and the entire length of the northern Thames Gateway area including Basildon, Chafford Hundred (for Lakeside), Tilbury and Southend.
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Management
c2c is a National Express Group company. The franchise began in May 1996 and expires in 2011. It was initially awarded to Prism Rail and was marketed as LTS Rail. [1] Prism Rail was purchased by National Express in September 2000 and the franchise was rebranded as c2c in 2002. The name c2c does not officially stand for anything but has been used in publicity to represent a variety of things. All stations on the route are managed by c2c with the exception of Fenchurch Street which is managed by Network Rail and West Ham which is managed by London Underground.
Ticketing
Unlike other rail operators in the London area, c2c allow Oyster card (including pay as you go) to be purchased at and used between Fenchurch Street, Limehouse, West Ham, Barking and Upminster. Travelcards charged to Oyster (but not pay as you go) can also be used at Dagenham Dock and Rainham.
Services
Image:Fenchurch street station.jpg The typical off peak service consists of eight trains per hour (tph) arriving and departing Fenchurch Street:
- 2tph to Shoeburyness via Basildon
- 2tph to Shoeburyness via Basildon not stopping at Limehouse, West Horndon or Pitsea
- 2tph to Grays via Rainham
- 2tph to Southend Central via Ockendon
During peak times there is a much increased service and some stopping services terminate short at Laindon or Grays. At weekends services via Ockendon terminate at Pitsea and on Sundays the not stopping service does not run. Two late weekday evening services serve Stratford and Liverpool Street instead of West Ham, Limehouse and Fenchurch Street in each direction.
The London Underground District Line also serves Upminster, Barking, West Ham and Tower Hill (for Fenchurch Street) and tickets are interchangeable between the two operators.
A consultation exercise is underway throughout 2006 before a recast of the timetable in December 2006.
Performance
In 2005, c2c was named the most punctual rail service in Britain, with 95.3% punctuality. [2]