Well.. since that Optimum agreed to pay my transportation fees I decided to go regardless the ridiculous amount. The journey was a 4 hours train ride to Haywards Heath, I have to say that this is a really long period of time I have to spent on the train because if I travel by car it would take just 2.5 hours. BUMMER I dont have a car here.
So after planning my trip properly I was off.. waking up at 8am and heading to the train station for the 9.30am train to Haywards Heath. I checked my schedule printed out and was shocked that I would have to go to London first before taking the underground train to Farrington station and board another train to Haywards Heath. As the train left Cheltenham train station I was in a really joyous mood, staying positive and listening to my songs on my phone. 40 minutes pass and all of a sudden the train stopped. Initially I thought it is just some minor technical problem that the train is experiencing. So i sat back and relax waiting for the train to start moving. 15 minutes passed and my patience was running low, then I heard an announcement saying that the stupid train is experiencing some major technical problem and could not proceed. I thought to myself.. GREAT!! Im due for an interview soon and the train just will not move and inch. An hour pass and the train has yet to move, people were getting really anxious and to make matter worst, we were stuck in some valley where mobile signal was flat. So.. there I was stuck in the middle of no where, due for an important interview with no signal to call the company relating my situation. Perfecto~!!
Fortunately the in the train there was a phone that we could use to contact the outside world relating the incident. Thank god the company understood my situation and I have to reschedule my interview with the company on another day. Well.. being stuck in train was not too bad when the train service announced that the buffet area will be providing free food and drinks to customers. So I was happily helping myself to big servings of chips and juice. After a three and half ordeal another train came to our rescue. The rescue train pushed our train to the next nearest station which is Stroud. Upon arriving Stroud we were told by the train manager that the train will be moving at 10 miles per hour to the next station for repair therefore he suggested that we take the bus to the next station which is faster. So hundreds of people from the train went to the bus stop where several buses were waiting for us to transport us to the next station.
It was a 30 minute bus ride to the next station where we will have to board alternatives train services to our destination. Since my interview was cancelled due to the massive delay I decided to head back to Cheltenham. What a day... when I arrive at Cheltenham it was already 7pm. A day well spent waiting for trains. Simply marvellous! Thank god the train service refunded the full price of my tickets and compensated an additional 20pounds for the trouble caused. I would say it was unexpected treat for me. Good customer service by First Great Western company. But hopefully I would not experience such a thing again.
For your information my next interview with Optimum went well and the manager was very friendly. All that is left for me now is keep my finger crossed hoping that no other better candidate would apply for the job.... AMEN.
