First Great Western should not be responsible for a train set let alone a whole network

1.27.48pm GMT Wed 24th Jan 2007

Sandra Gidley MP spoke in a debate today on First Great Western's dire performance since it took over the Wessex trains franchise, which ran trains between Hampshire and South Wales, in December. During the debate it became clear that problems exist in every area of its franchise and with every aspect of its service. All the MPs indicated that they had received huge numbers of complaints from the travelling public, covering the inadequate timetable and reduction in carriages resulting in overcrowding. Other major problems include the increasing unreliability, enormous fare increases and the declining standard of rolling stock.

"The system has become completely unreliable, even the minister today admitted that this was an unacceptable level of service and that it was a disastrous performance, However he is doing nothing about it, he rejected out of hand requests for a round table discussion between the Department of Transport, First Great Western and MP's.

"It is quite obvious that First Great Western is just not fit for purpose and should not even be responsible for a train set let alone a whole network. If First Great Western could not afford the premium payments for the franchise without slashing services to a bare minimum while at the same time increasing prices so steeply they should not have been awarded the contract in the first place.

"If this continues any remaining commuters face continuing misery for a further seven years. It is already time to consider withdrawing the franchise".