Great Western Coffee Shop

First Great Western wins award for additional carriages in the Thames Valley
29 October 2013

First Great Western's work to secure and upgrade additional carriages in London and the Thames Valley has been recognised by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) at its Annual Excellence Awards, held in London recently.

FGW won the Passenger Transport Best Practise Award for the project, which saw 48 additional carriages come into service across the Great Western network, creating 4,500 additional seats a day and boosting peak time capacity  in key areas by up to 10 per cent.

As part of the project, we secured Department for Transport agreement for 48 additional carriages for LTV services, through the procurement of Class 180 trains, which needed upgrading, and Class 150s. HST services were expanded by converting disused HST buffet cars into 15 extra 84-seat standard class carriages.

Managing Director, Mark Hopwood said: ^I would like to offer my thanks and congratulations to all our colleagues involved in this project. The work has already had a significant impact on improving customers^ journeys and reducing crowding, but now it is being recognised across the industry.

"In 2010, all of the top ten busiest trains into London were ours. Because of this, and other work around the business, we've reduced that to just one FGW service. Of course we need to do more, and the new franchise award earlier this month will help us do that. Already we have increased standard capacity on some of our Turbo commuter trains in the Thames Valley by 27 per cent by removing some First Class areas, and discussions with the Department for Transport are underway to talk about how we can do the same on our long distance services.

"Crowding and punctuality is of key importance to our passengers. Achieving recognition for being innovative in our industry, responding to customer needs, is a great honour."

In 2010, all of the top ten busiest trains into London were ours. Because of this, and other work around the business, we've reduced that to just one FGW service