I've just been summarising what the Swindon - Westbury - (onwards) train service has gained / lost from the re-franchise operation thus far.

a) ALL longer distance trains to be withdrawn
b) ALL daytime trains to be withdrawn - NOTHING between 07:45 and 18:45
c) Number of trains to be cut by 60% (Monday to Friday)
d) Commuter-time train significantly moved earlier (morning), later (evening) against consultation requests
e) Staff have new uniforms and we're to get station enhancements such as a new information point
f) Fares for a day trip to London on a weekday, bought on the day, to rise from a minimum of 45 pounds (Saver return) to 112 pounds (standard open return) in December
g) Improved train-to-bus connection at Chippenham, which formed part of the First bid, is NOT happening


The users have delivered dramatic growth in the past five years with some indicators giving rise to headline statistics of over 700%. Full-year statistics now show an average of 32 passengers per train.  Personal observation shows that individual trains vary hugely in loading, even on the same train on the same day from one week to the next.  Some of us RELY on the train for our commute and for our business now - much more that we did 5 years ago.

Individuals with an interest in the business (I won't name any of them ... I've just had my knuckles rapped!) continue to quote personal experiences of the form "I was on xxxx train on yyyy day and it only had zzzz passengers".  Such quotes are statistically insignificant samples and are, I believe, sometimes made selectively. The Department for Transport continues to quote a "snapshot" few days of figures as their justification; I do not have the actual dates of that survey and I question whether or not it was a typical week.

Am I dis-spirited?   Yes.  I'm very disappointed in people telling us what a good case we have, and how well we've done ... but then passing the buck and / or justifying decisions based on statistics that are technically unsound and have been selected to justify the case for the cuts.

Should we give up?  No.  I was assured yesterday that the final timetables are STILL in discussion / negotiation, and that a full explanation will be given of the reasons behind final decisions as they're made and published. So we should take all the negative deal issues as PROVISIONAL at least pending the publication of the extra information.  I'm also aware that the Liskeard to Looe line, once scheduled for complete closure, was saved just two weeks before the final train was due to run.  That was a while back - I undertstand that the train to Looe is now sometimes so crowded that the conductor has trouble getting through to check all the tickets. It can be done - even at the 11th hour.