 |
Latest News
from the
|
| Contents: |
TRAIN SERVICE RELIABILITY and PUNCTUALITY and OVERCROWDING. The Cotswold Line Promotion Group has noticed that the Punctuality and Reliability of the train service between Oxford, Worcester and Hereford appears to have plummeted to new low levels since the introduction of the new weekday timetable on 11th December 2006. The feeling is that, during the two weeks before Christmas, only about 90% of trains actually ran, or completed their full advertised journeys, and that of these, only between 10% and 20% actually did so at the times advertised - this does not take into account trains which only operate between Worcester and Great Malvern/Hereford. The Group has received many complaints and comments from train users and feels that there is a need to gather reliable information, so that when the time comes to discuss with the train operators, it has facts to back up what it believes. Several CLPG Officers are currently monitoring the train running, mainly by use of the National Rail web site, but, obviously, they cannot keep an eye on everything, all of the time. Users are invited to send details of their journeys, good or bad, to trainmonitoring@clpg.co.uk so that more statistics can be gathered. The Group needs details of the date, the train involved and the actual time at particular stations, with the reason for delays or cancellations, if known. In the event of train cancellations, information concerning alternative arrangements made for passengers would be appreciated. Unfortunately, the CLPG cannot undertake to reply to individual complaints, which should be addressed to the train operator concerned. There have been reports of severe overcrowding, particularly with early morning services from Oxford to London. The CLPG has discovered that there are no longer any fast services between Oxford and London until 0807, other than those which originate from Moreton-in-Marsh, Great Malvern or Hereford. This means that trains are already well filled before Oxford passengers have a chance to board them. There could be other cases where overcrowding is a problem. The Group would particularly like to receive reports of the situation on the 1722 from Paddington in the evening. Reports of train running (good or bad) can now be posted on a special Blog on the Charlbury web site www.charlbury.info/cgi-bin/dtrains.cgi
|