Having hoped that after last years dismal personal record with First's regional services, it was safe to try the train again.

Sunday's 11.10am departure from Bradford indicated otherwise - the service arrived basically packed to the extent that people bulged out of the doors when they opened. No room in the aisles either, the packing was a quality job, you couldn't see through the thing.

It left even more so, having picked up half of the around 18 people waiting ... the other 9 or so dispersed with baleful glances at the ticket machine ...

And then, the following train is very nearly two hours later.

Presumably seeing the number aboard the train, the service must usually be a lot better, bigger or something to encourage so many to travel? It was running Portsmouth to Cardiff, two carriages, and looks as though it could have 100% filled three and everyone with a seat.

Mark