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January 06, 2007
Welcome to 2007
We're nearly a month into the new timetable .... passenger numbers on the remaining TransWilts trains through Melksham have plummeted, which is PROOF that the service is highly dependent on timing and frequency. But it gives me no pleasure in saying "told you so". And - at least in some professional quarters I'm nor reading "We knew that would happen too".
The promise of an improvement in reliability once the new service started have also proved to be false. The commuter train from Swindon (but, honestly, you can't call it that any more - it's too late and the commuters are using cars or going via Bath) has been cancelled 2 working days out of 4 this week. One wonders if the operator doesn't care, or is incompetent, or is doing this intentionally, or has a contract that's impossible to meet.
There IS political unrest, pressure. There IS talk of getting a service back (I'm reluctant to call the current trains a 'service', you'll appreciate!) and there is an 18th January consultation deadline. For December 2007.
In the meantime, a few of my customers have still been using the train. But I'm mightly glad that we've got plenty of car parking at our place for those who can't any longer, and hotel rooms for those for whom travelling down on the morning their course starts is no longer an option.
Posted by gje at January 6, 2007 07:03 AM