The new timetable started on 9th December, and although it was "sold" to us on the basis of an increased robustness and reliability, it appears that First Great Western have got it very wrong again.

I've been keeping a note of trains on the TransWilts line as best I can - my data is partial - and even I am aware of ...

Trains replaced by buses or running part route only on 9th, 16th and 17th December due to engineering works.

Cancellations on 10th, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st and 22nd December ... with the cancellation rate in the last 3 days being 75% (i.e. 3 out of 4 services), 25% and at least 50% on 22nd.

What level of cancellations IS acceptable?  Well - the target that's set for the Franchise is for over 99% of services to run.

We're campaiging for an improved schedule ... with trains running at times of day when they're useful rather than what is known as "margnal time" by the  railway industry - times of day that are off peak, and when te trains can be borrowed from other lines.  But perhaps we should be careful that we don't just campaign to get one fictional timetable replaced by another.