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Stansted airport to central London in 35 mins? National Express ad banned
A National Express advert claiming trains from Stansted airport to London take 35 minutes has been banned for misleading passengers.
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More FTSE charts & pricesby Victoria Bischoff on Sep 08, 2010 at 10:03
Follow @VBischoffA National Express advert at Stansted airport which claimed trains to London take 35 minutes has been banned by the advertising watchdog for misleading passengers.
The poster featured an image of a train, various iconic central London landmarks such as Big Ben, the London Eye and Nelson’s column and the text ’35 minutes’.
However, trains from Stansted airport to Liverpool Street in central London take 45 minutes, according to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). And while trains which stop at Tottenham Hale in North London take 35 minutes, the ASA said Tottenham Hale is 'unlikely to be considered central'.
‘We considered that the combination of the text ‘35 minutes’ alongside the images of iconic central London landmarks, implied that travellers would reach central London within that time and that because this was not the case, we concluded that the ad was likely to mislead,' the ASA said.
National Express however said that from Tottenham Hale passengers could connect with the Victoria Line on the London Underground and travel to central London destinations.
The travel company explained that many of the passengers arriving at Stansted airport do not speak or understand English and therefore a simple and concise message is need to communicate that an express train service from the airport to London is available.
‘The iconic London skyline referenced in the ads was used to communicate that London was the destination,’ National Express said, adding that they did not believe the ads made any reference to the train getting to central London in 35 minutes.
The ASA however said the simplicity of the message could confuse visitors about where in the city they would get to in 35 minutes.
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3 comments so far. Why not have your say?
TUCKERS TRAVELS
Sep 08, 2010 at 13:02
Having taken the Stansted Express on numerous occasions to Liverpool St. to meet London business and leisure appointments I can confirm that the service works.The ticketing process on the platform is quick and efficient and I have not had to wait more than 10 mins (including ticket purchase) before departing.
My personal experience is that the average journey time is 40/45 mins to arrival platform. If this is the average journey time then 35 minutes is misleading ( without qualification). I guess National Express can provide the statistics in an age where seemingly we are obsessed with targets!
I guess also, if you take the early a.m. train 1 am? and it miss out 1 stop (because the underground connections are closed maybe!) then in theory it is possible
Come on statisticians ...train spotters or even National Express tell us how many and what trains complete the journey as advertised?
For the record and for those who have not yet had the experience...these are some of my personal experiences on this service.
Expensive (mile for mile -not just my judgement see "Witch" recent report on rail costs -includes Stansted Express ).
Rolling Stock certainly is not representative of the image in this feature.Often old and well used and not particularly clean.
Any journey information is normally confirmed in English and Spanish only.The electronic messaging on the train is often not updated ( last journey I took it was advising " next station as Tottenham Hale "when we were arriving at Liverpool Street!) Confusing for foreign visitors or what? If it is not updated then they should not display it.
In UK we are used to overcrowded trains but what is the excuse for providing airport link train to London where 90% + of the passengers have luggage and the trains used are not suitable or fit for purpose with insufficient areas for luggage resulting in cases on seats in gang ways or on people themselves!
A personal insight into this service "buyer beware!"
report thisTUCKERS TRAVELS
Sep 08, 2010 at 14:34
or even" Which?"
report thisMichael Brooks
Sep 08, 2010 at 19:13
They should have consulted Bob Crowe before making such statements.
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