From the Bristol Evening Post
TRAIN OPERATOR'S TIMETABLE RETHINK
BY JOHN LE COUTEUR
29 December 2006
A Surge of complaints about new train services in and around Bristol has forced operator First Great Western into a rethink.
The company has admitted it is now carrying out a review of its new timetable, which came into force on December 8, and could make changes "if necessary and possible".
Changes introduced by the operator sparked outrage from passengers complaining of fewer trains, after some services were axed, and overcrowding which even saw passengers being left behind on platforms.
Protests have taken place this month at Temple Meads station, and commuters travelling to Bristol from North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North East Somerset have complained of the new timetable.
Northavon MP Steve Webb said he had been inundated with complaints from commuters, with many telling him they were switching to their cars and adding to congestion on the roads, and has demanded a meeting with the rail operator's managing director.
First Great Western has defended the changes, which it says were brought in after a consultation period, but has now admitted that it is carrying out a review of the services.
Spokesman Lance Cole said: "Earlier this year we conducted a major consultation on the draft of the new timetable and received more than 9,500 responses from customers, rail user groups and local politicians.
"As a result of the comments we received, we were able to make numerous amendments to the timetable.
"However, regrettably is has not been possible to make every change and some people will inevitably be disappointed.
"We are aware of the local issues and are monitoring the situation closely. We can confirm that a small-scale review is being carried out. However, any changes will require negotiations with a number of bodies.
"Over the next few weeks we will monitor services and, if necessary and possible, we will make further modifications."
Mr Webb said he wanted a meeting with First Great Western's managing director, Alison Forster, following the complaints about the new timetable.
He said: "Trains have been late and seriously overcrowded. As well as being unpleasant and inconvenient, there are real issues here about the safety of passengers.
"I will be making it clear to the managing director that the present level of service is totally unacceptable and that urgent action is needed.
"We cannot hope to reduce the amount of traffic on our roads if the public transport alternative is so shockingly inadequate."
Campaigners claim the cutting the number of carriages, in many cases from three to two, from many local services and the axing of others will spell the end of efficient rail travel.
Among those worst hit are commuters who travel between Bristol and Cardiff, with some key services no longer stopping at Bristol Parkway and Severn Tunnel Junction stations.
Elsewhere, late evening services from Gloucester to Bristol have been axed.
Commuters travelling from Taunton to Bristol in the evening rush hour have also seen major changes, as a pair of rush-hour trains with a capacity of 359 seats has been replaced by a single service which can handle just 138 passengers.
Lucy Cypher of campaign group Save Severn Tunnel said she was delighted at news of the rethink.
The group organised protests at Temple meads station before Christmas against cuts to services to Severn Tunnel Junction.
She said: "I am delighted if this means they have actually listened to us.
"Hopefully they will listen when they do their review as well, and it might mean services will be reinstated to their previous levels at Severn Tunnel Junction."
First Forced to Rethink New Time Table
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tugboatcharly2
- regular
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- Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2006 9:57 pm
- Location: north somerset
time tables fgw
No she is called Allison lol
Its obviously not working!
Looking at their wesbite today (01 Jan 07). 12 trains have been cancelled as from 13:06, for the following reasons:
10 due to a shortage of serviceable trains
1 due to a staff shortage
1 due to an earlier train fault.
When i travelled a few weeks ago, my train was delayed by 30 minutes because there was no train to run!
Looking at their wesbite today (01 Jan 07). 12 trains have been cancelled as from 13:06, for the following reasons:
10 due to a shortage of serviceable trains
1 due to a staff shortage
1 due to an earlier train fault.
When i travelled a few weeks ago, my train was delayed by 30 minutes because there was no train to run!