More Train Less Strain

MTLS welcomes the Remedial Plan Notice issued by Ruth Kelly and the DfT today in a final attempt to force FGW to deliver a decent service. Both the Remedial Plan and the Breach Notice issued for exceeding the threshold on cancellations, and then misreporting the cancellation rate, are an acknowledgement by governement that FGW has reneged on its franchise terms.

The £29 m to be spent by FGW in an attempt to cling on to the franchise represents a significant victory for passenger power following 2 high profile fare stikes which forced the governement to finaly take a stand.

However MTLS says that whilst £29m is welcome it is nowhere like enough to rescue FGW from the mire. This is a small amount of money for such a big transport operator and is unlikely to be enough to deliver significant improvements accorss the whole of FGW territory. It is equivalent to less than 1% of First PLC's operating revenue of £3.7b last year, and would buy less than half a mile of motorway.

Whilst we welcome more rolling stock on the Portsmouth- Cardiff route, there are shortages 7 days a week on almost all lines, with trains on several lines such as Weymouth-Frome- Bristol and Chippenham -Melksham reduced to such low service levels as to make them practcially useless.

MTLS demands that the DFT now sets transparent and measurable public targets for FGW to meet within 6 months.
The DfT should simultaneously launch an inquiry into FGW's fare structure to ensure that they have not breached any legislation and exceeded their permission to increase fares.
Walk on fares must be reduced in preference to extending reduced cost pre bookable fares, and special offers of limited use to the bulk of the travelling public.
The time bands for compensation must be changed so compensation for all ticket holders is triggered after a delay of 15 minutes instead of increasing compensation after a delay of an hour or more.

If FGW fail to meet their new targets within 6 months, the DfT must make it clear that their franchise will be reomoved without further discussion.

MTLS will be watching closely. If we fail to see long term improvements we will make the final push to rid the South West of FGW.

Press Association 15/02/08:
"Chancellor Alastair Darling told one of the country's least popular rail companies to "get a grip" - or risk putting its franchise in danger.

The Department For Transport has confirmed FGW is a failing company and is being monitored regularly .