Monitoring report published
1 March 2007As promised here, we have now completed the analysis of the information that you have provided on the overcrowding and lateness of morning peak-time services. In the next few days we will be handing out copies of the executive summary of the report and you can get the full report and our press notice here.
The report highlights continued issues of overcrowding and lateness, but will also address other concerns raised by passengers such as lack of heating, problems with passenger information boards, a lack of communication and poor announcements. Representatives of OxRailAction have been invited to a meeting with Richard Rowland, the Regional Director for FGW, to discuss our report and any changes that can be made. Copies of the report will be sent to FGW and other organisations such as the Department for Transport, the Office of Rail Regulation and the Rail Passengers Council.
1 March 2007 at 9:24 am
Thank you for this report. I agree with all of the findings and recommendations. Your findings accord entirely with my personal experience.
I normally catch the 07:33 and it has been on time once in the month and a half it has been operating. It is normally 10 minutes late, but was a mere 4 minutes late today, almost a record.
I have tried catching the 07:44 occasionally but it is never on time, usually running at least 10 minutes late.
I would like to pay tribute to the FGW on-train staff. With one exception, I have found them to be consistently polite, helpful and friendly, despite working under very trying circumstances. That they maintain a sense of humour while working for such an awful employer says a lot about them.
1 March 2007 at 9:29 am
Very interesting report.
I have taken to getting the 0645 for precisely the reasons you mention, despite its slow running I’d rather have a seat than scrum down for the 0638. It is virtually empty to Twyford, then hangs around there for 10 mins getting filled up. The 0705 is unbearable whenever I’ve caught it . I have a back problem which makes standing difficult, so a crowded train is just not an option, even if it means being late for work.
This all “just worked” before Xmas…