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Topic: First Group has won (Read 2860 times)
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Nick Field
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According to a report on BBC Radio Wiltshire this morning. Apparently as part of the agreement they will not get a subsidy and will have to actually pay money back to the goverment. It was also mentioned that there will be no new trains for at least ten years but the existing fleets will be refurbished. Mentioned increases in some services from Reading to London and Westbury to London. No mention of any threats in cuts of services. Its confimred on their website: http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/home/story.php?item=133&ref=home |
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« Last Edit: December 13, 2005, 12:01:56 PM by Nick Field »
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Graham Ellis
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I've got a whole stack of links / references already and will be updating the web site overnight ...
Many services under threat (the Sleeper, Bicester, Newquay) get a reprive / positive mention but I've searched on "Melksham" and found nothing. I've just sent an email asking for clarification for the web site; my fingers are crossed but I don't see any positive signs. I hope I'm wrong and I'll be very happy to be wrong!
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Graham Ellis
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A reliable but indirect source tells me "as per invitation to tender". In other words ... although all the other services that the First Group shouted about in there press release yesterday were saved / improved, the unmentioned Melksham looks like it's to face a major cut. I hope I'm wrong.
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Nick Field
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I hope your wrong too Graham. It seems to me that the people who make these decisions have no idea what its really like at a local level. If they do confirm its as per 'invitation to tender' how much time does that give before its too late to get them to change their minds and the new timetable is issued?
Apparently first group have to pay £1bn to the government for the privilege of running this franchise.
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« Last Edit: December 14, 2005, 09:56:41 AM by Nick Field »
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Graham Ellis
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There's a series of timetabling meetings that take place every FEBRUARY to decide on the sharing out of track space as from the following December - so by that time the First Group need to know what they're asking for.
I wrote to First's customer service yesterday and had a positive but fuzzy answer (posted elsewhere here). It did promise to pass on my comments / questions to the "Relevant Managers".
I'm writing today to the Managing Director of First Great Western (Alison Forster) asking her about their plans, and offering to work with them in things like publicity to help encourage the traffic.
I'm also writing to Roger Newman. He's the representative for customers on the former Wesses Trains lines in the area on First's consumer panel, so he could turn out to be quite an important player. I'm asking him for news, and to ensure that the powers that be in the First operation are aware of situation / details of our line before it's too late.
The addresses I have if you want to make your own inputs are:
Alison Forster
Managing Director
First Great Western
MH42, Milford House
1, Milford Street Swindon
SN1 1HL
Roger Newman
36 Bund Land
Southwick
Trowbridge
Wilts BA14 9PJ
I don't have an email address for Ms Forster, and I'm sure Mr Newman won't mind me telling you that he prefers to hear from people by post rather than email.
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