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Topic: A Statement Of Where We Are (Round Up Of What's Going On) (Read 2970 times)
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Lee
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It has been suggested that this would be helpful.
I have been greatly encouraged by the amount of new members from several areas joining the forum. I would very much appreciate it if as many of you as possible could provide an up - to - date summary of the situation in your area.
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Graham Ellis
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Swindon - Chippenham - Melksham - Trowbridge - Westbury - onward
* Service cut from 5 round trips a day to 2 round trips in December.
* Remaining services retimed to extend the Swindon commuter's day by 90 minutes
* Around 20% to 30% of remaining trains being cancelled
* All 10 key travel flows that were catered for pre-December are lost
* Remaining trains running nearly empty. Down from 109000 journeys per year (FGW figure) to an estimated 8000 (based on observetions in recent days)
* No daytime trains left. A day trip to London bought on the day now costs over 100 pounds, whereas a day trip using the 09:12 cost under 50 pounds a month ago.
Note that the previous service has grown in use dramatically over the previous 5 years - compound rate between 7% and 35% depending on which statistic you use. Alternatives are bus / train with awkward interchanges, or (for some journeys) rail dogleg via Bath (awkward change), both also operted by First. Both these alternatives are several times slower that the direct train.
* I understand that First timetablers ARE looking a train every 2 or 3 hours from this coming December, but funding is unresolved and inputs to them and the DfT are still useful as there isn't - I don't think - a final decision yet.
* Quote from an email from First this morning: "... there will be a further review of the timetable for December 2007, and your comments will be kept on file so that they can be considered as part of that process. I very much regret that, until that time, we are unable to enter into any further discussion with you ..."
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Graz
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Bristol Temple Meads - Keynsham - Oldfield Park - Bath Spa - Freshford - Avoncliff - Bradford-on-Avon - Trowbridge - Westbury - Weymouth/Southampton
* Keynsham, Oldfield Park, Freshford and Avoncliff no longer have a hourly all day service. A large gap of 2 hours in the middle of the day was created by First Great Western for all of these stations in the face of passenger growth as the Brighton trains no longer call.
* Almost all trains extended from Bristol Temple Meads to Cardiff Central. I personally don't think this is needed, as Westbury/Trowbridge/Bath already has direct Cardiff trains.
* As on most First Great Western lines when the new timetable was implemented, this line was hit by frequent cancellations an severe delays due to unit shortages. In one instance, all trains in 2 hours were cancelled.
* The new timetable did introduce better connection times from this line to northbound Virgin trains and also the Severn Beach line and the trains run beside the occasional South West trains services better. But some connections are now more awkward than ever, such as those from Gloucester.
* Morning peak trains overcrowded to levels deemed unsafe by all except First Great Western. Many people left on platforms, unable to board trains and in some cases subsequently refused/refunded tickets.
*Most direct trains axed between Bristol and Dilton Marsh, Dean and Dunbridge, subsequently severely reducing direct trains to Warminster, Salisbury, Romsey and Southampton Central.
*This line was the first to be given 'Penalty Fare' status by First Great Western and subsequently, automatic ticket machines are being installed at all stations.
* Direct trains from this line to Gloucester/Cheltenham/Worcester which were popular were axed.
The first priorities are for an increase in morning peak trains and carriages, a strong improvement in punctuality and reliability, and a return to an all day service for the stations left with a 2-hour gap. Next, I would like to see better services to Frome and Yeovil.
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« Last Edit: January 12, 2007, 09:29:06 PM by Graz »
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C Shearn
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Please see my other notes. FGW Reading - Paddington. Standing room only every day in Standard and First (0740 - 0815). About 1 day in 5 you can't get on a train. Delays of more than 15 mins on average every other day. FGW Paddington - Reading. Standing room only every day in Standard. Seats sometimes in First (1700 - 1830). Delays of more than 15 mins once a week. Crazy processes.....you have to buy an upgrade from Standard to First before you get on the train (cost = £10) - but you can't see if the train has seats available before getting on the train. If you have a first class ticket or an upgrade and can't get a seat, you have to 1) get a form from customer services 2) find the station manager 3) get him to sign the form 4) post it to customer services and 5) you get 7/8 the value of the upgrade back...  !!! No refund if you can't get a seat with Standard Class (obviously!!) despite the danger of standing on a train travelling at 80 - 100 mph. No lessons learned from the Paddington rail crash in 1999 then....... |
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Lee
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No refund if you can't get a seat with Standard Class (obviously!!) despite the danger of standing on a train travelling at 80 - 100 mph. No lessons learned from the Paddington rail crash in 1999 then....... That is a very good point. |
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Graham Ellis
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Weymouth - Yeovil - Bath
I spoke on the phone with a gent from Weymouth this evening, new to the story, and he was telling me how he had heard dreadful reports and could I fill him in. Actually, he spoke with my wife and got me to call back, by which time he had looked at the new timetable.
According to him, the new timetable for the Dorset section operated from Bristol is pretty similar to the old one and nothing to really get upset about. He has confidence in First, who have come up with a good timetable for them this time around and wasn't convinced, I'm sure, that there's anything for them to worry about.
I wish I had evidence t share that confidence. How does anyone one else feel on Weymouth line services ... Frome usrers, have you talked with folks continuing on to / coming up from Bruton and beyond?
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bubblecat
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No - I haven't personally spoken to anyone who gets on from before Frome or who travels back apart from one lady left standing with a bike at Bath one night.
She normally changes at Westbury to catch other trains to Castle Cary - I think they have a better link from Westbury than we do at Frome. This could be why there's not so much of a problem for them?
In the mornings there are very few people on the train by the time it hits Frome - it's from this point onwards that the problems start. I am unaware of very much commuter traffic before this point.
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Chris Street
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Rhoose - Cardiff - Severn Tunnel Jct. - Bristol
* Proposed through service to Rhoose from the South never happened.
* Severn Tunnel Junction did suffer peak train cuts, however these stops have been re-instated.
* Pilning train service reduced to just one train a week in each direction on a Saturday
* Filton Abbey Wood and Bristol Parkway stations becoming more and more congested
* A lot of cancellations on the Cardiff - Fareham route in the last few days
* Many key stops taken out at Keynsham, Oldfield Park & Other places...
Cheltenham - Gloucester - Cam & Dursley - Yate - Bristol - W-s-M - Taunton
* Hourly service at all stations.
* All daytime trains extend to and from Taunton, with 1 a day to/from Exeter.
* 2-hourly extension to Ashchurch, Worcester & Great Malvern.
* Early morning peak hourly service between Worcester, Ashchurch and Cheltenham.
* Relatively easy connections with this service at Worcester with services to/from Oxford (one I use a lot)
* Many calls at Ashchurch are now made by Central Trains' Nottingham - Cardiff route
Cheltenham - Swindon - London
* Hourly clockface timetable between Cheltenham & Swindon.
* Two-hourly extensions to London
* Peak hourly service to London in early morning and from London in evening.
* Increased peak service at Stonehouse, Stroud & Kemble
* Quite a lot of cancellations on this route
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