I am putting together an idependent review on how drivers in the transport industry rate the current MSA’s in the “Extra” group. I understand a new MSA in Cobham is planned for 2012 which is going to be run by Extra Group. I am employed by one of the retail units within the MSA’s which is why I am doing this review.
Are there any Extra sites you avoid, and for what reason?
They have recently introduced a charge for using the ATM, does this stop you visiting the sites or are you not fussed either way?.
Were you a user of any of sites but for whatever reason dont use them now?
How do you rate the facilities compared to other competitors? How do you rate the security if your parking overnight?. etc etc
Any comments you may have on any of the above will be very much appriciated.
This is going to be good… Now where do we start…Cambridge: the parking needs sorting out, showers rubbish would not wash my dog in them, all I can say is thank God for M&S…
Peterborough: see above (no gym required as Truck park is so far away)
Baldock: parking ok, showers rubbish, as above…
Put a gym into your new services and charge £2.50 a session and it will be used. Also think about the way Trucks park not like Cambridge!!!
Also employ people who want to work,not chat to friends all day!!!
And the best of luck!
Deepinvet:
This is going to be good… Now where do we start…Cambridge: the parking needs sorting out, showers rubbish would not wash my dog in them, all I can say is thank God for M&S…
Peterborough: see above (no gym required as Truck park is so far away)
Baldock: parking ok, showers rubbish, as above…
Put a gym into your new services and charge £2.50 a session and it will be used. Also think about the way Trucks park not like Cambridge!!!
Also employ people who want to work,not chat to friends all day!!!
And the best of luck!
Hi Deepinvet
If Showers were to improve whould you use the services more than you do now? Can I just clayify that I am not employed by Extra, I am employed by one of the retail/leisure units within the amenity building. I do have regular meetings with the management of Extra so all your and everyones elses comments will be passed on. I am also an ex Class 1 driver myself and it annoyed me when parking in urine and having to walk so far to main building etc.
Pacmanfan:
How do you rate the facilities compared to other competitors?
How do you get ‘competitors’ in what is a virtual monopoly?
Hi Mike
Just wanting to know how the facilities compare to Welcome break, Moto etc. I spoke to a driver recently who told me he thought extra services used to be his first choice but over the last 12-18mths they have started to go downhill.
If you had cheaper food / tea I would spend more money in an MSA. If the facilities are disgusting I would avoid the MSA
I don’t use cash machines that charge money.
Hope this helps you
10-08:
If you had cheaper food / tea I would spend more money in an MSA. If the facilities are disgusting I would avoid the MSA
I don’t use cash machines that charge money.
Hope this helps you
Hi 10-08
It has helped many thanks for your imput. I want to try and drive home to extra that the HGV business is a big part of there income and they need to make changes. If the drivers stop using the sites its not just them that suffer.
would also like to know if anyone uses the slot machines or arcade area’s.
I’m under the impression that an MSA should not become a destination in its own right, thats current government policy anyway. This post does highlight the differing standards they provide ,which is supposed to meet a minimum criteria. Sadly quite a few don’t meet the minimum criteria. And as no one activley polices the MSA’s and what they do or don’t do…
I think personally they are well too overpriced for what’s on offer, they’re only saving grace are the retail units inside as they always seem to be the ones that people use. Could do with alot more places that offer healthy/ier options rather than just burgers, but at least the McDonalds are reasonably priced compared with the other food outlets…
Oh yes and the showers really are a ‘shower of ■■■■!’
that was the point i was trying to make in my reply. i don’t know of anyone who says the site operator. it’ normally ‘taunton deane’ or ‘heston’ sort of thing.
brett73:
You would sell more food and get more trucks if there was a discount drivers could show there license to prove they are hgv drivers
the problem with a system like that is it will be abused. it happened with bus drivers going in and showing their licence to claim the discount offered to working coach drivers.
Peterborough a filthy over charging hole with very unhelpful staff, would park up the road in the closed cafe than ever park in Peterborough again. Doesn’t have showers and the food is convenience muck.
brett73:
You would sell more food and get more trucks if there was a discount drivers could show there license to prove they are hgv drivers
the problem with a system like that is it will be abused. it happened with bus drivers going in and showing their licence to claim the discount offered to working coach drivers.
My old man was a coach driver for years, he did this when we were on holidays or on a day out, to get it cheap, he even flashed it ( his badge ) on buses and more often than not we traveled free.
on buses and more often than not we traveled free.