Graham Ellis , 20/12/2006 :

The cry of "Told you so" rings out from Warminster to Severn Tunnel, from Swindon to Severn Beach, and from Melksham to Keynsham, Oldfield Park, Trowbridge and more.

The first two weeks of the new timetable, with a lack of trains, and a lack of a carriages on those remaining, has lead to many lost journeys, much discomfort, much frustration. Tom Harris, the transport minister tells us that a new timetable is always a difficult time and we must try to get used to it. Tom, I thinks it's deeper than that.

Julie Boston , Friends Of Suburban Bristol Railways , 26/12/2006 :

First Group has a near monopoly of the bus service in the Greater Bristol area and has won the rail franchise for the next 10 years.   The priority of train operators is to pay their share holders and to repay the government. In a few years time First Great Western will have to start paying £1.3 billion to the Treasury in return for winning the franchise.  Their tactics are reducing the number of rented train units, reducing the number of station stops, hiking the fares and employing the minimum workforce.  They also have the luxury of cancelling services - about18 trains were cancelled by First Great Western on the Saturday 23 December and no doubt endless buses.

ASLEF, RMT and TSSA have long campaigned for each franchise, when it expires, to be taken over by the state.   But we cannot wait for the government to act.  The current reduction in the rail service in the South West has put people’s livelihoods at state.  This has had widespread repercussions but there has been some resistance. Commuters using Severn Tunnel Junction Station called a public meeting, set up an Action Team and have partially won the restoration of their commuter service.

A campaigning group in Bristol has a three pronged approach to win a half hour service on Bristol’s surviving branch line. . Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways (FOSBR) has written to the key decision makers, community groups based near the line and distributed 3000 post cards for people to fill in and send off in response to Bristol City Council’s budget consultation.  Bristol ASLEF has donated £100 to the campaign and Kerry McCarthy MP has given full support.

Public transport is particularly poor in Bristol.  11% commute to work by public transport compared with 50% in Birmingham.   Public transport is a social, environmental and a political issue.  We have the infrastructure. Local authorities should use it and not be diverted by expensive diversions.

Graham Ellis , 24/12/2006 :

Have a good Christmas, everyone. 2007 might be the year of resurgaece ... there's better chance that I would have anticipated :-)

I agree , Graham , but only if we all keep up the pressure.