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October 04, 2006
Taunton meeting
The SWPTUF (South West Passenger Transport Users Forum) - now known as "Travel Watch South West" - meeting last Saturday was an interesting opportunity to meet with others interested in public transport in the South West - ranging from campaign groups through specific service interests, train and bus operators, local representatives and officers and government officials. Whilst I can't come back waving an flag that says "Melksham is safer today because", I do come back with the ability to say that I have spoken in person with "x" and with "y" and with "z" - all of whom are important players in games played and still to be played, and have an element of influence over the decisions. I have learnt some of their points of view, understand a little more of what makes them tick (and thus what view they're likely to take of things crossing their desks) and I come back somewhat less pessimistic than I might have been.
I wish I had hours and hours to write everything up; I don't. I've got another big load of FOI information in. I've got a hotel to open on Sunday and - yikes - my job to start in 10 minutes time. But I WILL be finding time, for example, to be putting a case together for perhaps the highest level / pressure meeting yet at the end of the month.
In the meantime, can I leave you with a picture in words.
The 18:06 (Saturday) arrival pulls in to Melksham from Swidnon and Chippenham. Of the 50 or so people on the train, 20 get off; a few get into cars but most walk up the road and away, 3 more join, the train leaves and all is quiet.
When is this - in the distant past when everyone used the train? In the future, when oil is running out? No - this was last Saturday, our well used and well loved service that was, coach for coach, JUST as busy (and busier) that any of the other 4 trains I was on last Saturday
Posted by gje at October 4, 2006 08:18 AM