Ref.: thisisbristol - 09:30 - 04 April 2006
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Let's hope they're on right lines
Yesterday was hailed as a bright new dawn for rail passengers in the West. And after many false starts it appears things could actually start to get better for people using trains in the region. First Great Western launched the new Greater Western Franchise at Bristol's Temple Meads station with a fanfare of publicity Even though Brunel's Great Western Railway still ranks as one of the world's greatest engineering feats, the region has never really recovered from the Beeching cuts 40 years ago.
Just a few years ago commuters using the route between Temple Meads and London were so angry with the level of service they were forming pressure groups and even threatening to go on strike.
Punctuality records were among the worst in the country and trains at peak times were packed to overflowing with disgruntled customers.
But these days rail passengers in the West are a far happier lot and First Great Western is promising even better things to come.
Whether that actually happens remains to be seen and some politicians have already issued a word of war ning.
Some are saying more improvements are still needed and the jury is still out on the company which is promising a bright new future of clean and reliable trains running on time.
We eagerly await to see if the grand promises are kept this time around.