First Great Western is set to cut even more trains later this year , it was claimed today (link below.)
http://thisisbath.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=163038&command=displayContent&sourceNode=201866&home=yes&more_nodeId1=163041&contentPK=16635050

A specialist magazine says it has evidence that the much criticised rail company is planning to reduce the number of services it runs across its massive franchise area.

The latest edition of Rail magazine , which is published today , claims that the situation is set to get much worse with FGW preparing to cut costs by further cutting train numbers.

A draft franchise document obtained by Rail shows the total number of vehicles operated by FGW is set to be cut from 702 , with a total of 236,610 seats , to 643, with a total of 251,841 by next January.

FGW refused to comment before the Rail article was published.

From the Greater Western Franchise Agreement :

"During the period to 31st December 2007 56 additional HST passenger vehicles will be introduced following modification work and the entire fleet of HSTs (53 sets) will be re-configured over this period to achieve the configuration as shown in Table 1.2.  During this period, 27 caterer vehicles will become surplus to requirements and, unless otherwise agreed with the Secretary of State, will cease to be part of the Train Fleet and will either be returned to their owner/lessor or stored, without being subject to any substitution requirement."

"The Class 180 fleet will be displaced by additional HSTs as referred to in Note 1 and the lease with Angel Trains will terminate accordingly in December 2007.  They will not be subject to any substitution requirement."

right, ok.  why is it anticipated that the train service in our area is worse in 2007 compared to 1993?  call this progression?   even in 2001/3 our services were better!