Petition to get FGW removed from the Franchise

[whole diary]

[devon_metro]

I'd be interested if you had any Devon figures?

[John R]

http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=265

should link to the details. For Devon, reliability "only" dropped from 0.9% cancelled over the last year to 1.7% in the last 4 week period. Punctuality worsened from 12.1% late over 12 months to 23.9% in the last 4 weeks. Targets are 0.5% and 8% respectively.

Interesting reliability was a lot worse for Cornish services, but punctuality better than target.

It would be really interesting if someone had tracked these figures from the days of Wessex Trains.

[vacman]

Under Wessex it was more often than not 100% for reliability on Plymouth and Cornwall services and rarely went below 99%, punctuality usually about 97%. slightly better than today!

[smokey]

It's often forgotten that when First's winning Bid was announced there was a Stunned Silence from the Railway Industry.
 
First's bid for Greater Western was very generous to the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about), albeit Sea  Containers had a similar bid for GNER^▸ (Great North Eastern Railways), but GNER ONLY RUN (or ran) Profitable High Speed Services, and even then when it came to payback time the keys were handed back.

The fact IS that First miscalculated the amount of units required, miscalculated passenger numbers, they could blame DfT for outdated figures, but to me they just didn't do their homework.

First have so far failed to Harmonise the terms and conditions of FGW^▸ (First Great Western), FGW Link and Wessex Trains staff, which when achieved will bring about much greater operational flexibility, as after training HST^▸ (High Speed Train) staff would be able to work local trains and vice visa, this would hopefully reduce the high number of Cancelled trains.

Personally I think First have got their sums wrong over the Greater Western Franchise and I can see First giving up the Keys in about 12-18 months, could be later say 3 or 4 years if DfT stand their ground and say Hand one Franchise back, hand them all back.

[devon_metro]

Surely if all drivers are able to drive the same stock, they would all opt to drive HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) and few staff would be left on our crappy units?

[Timmer]

I always knew that First would win the Greater Western franchise and despite my disapointment that they won, I was prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt even though the warnings both in rail journals and the media that cuts in rolling stock would bring trouble to this franchise. Looking back its been far worse then I ever thought it would be but I suspect FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are saying that as well.

[vacman]

Surely if all drivers are able to drive the same stock, they would all opt to drive HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) and few staff would be left on our crappy units?

They would be rostered to work, like they do now, drivers can't just pick and choose what they want to do, otherwise you'd get drivers now saying " I want to work the main line because I don't want to do loads of trips to St ives".

[smokey]

Back in times now past, Train Drivers had a much more enjoyable Job as as they gained Route and Traction Knowledge their job became more rewarding with different trains to drive.

It was possible at one time for a Train Driver to work a crack express up to London and then work a Slow all stopper back home and then work a 25 mph max speed freight train the next day.

Since work has become more routine and boreing for Drivers the Amount of SPADS (signal passed at danger) increased, only modern safety features reversed this figure.

[vacman]

Back in times now past, Train Drivers had a much more enjoyable Job as as they gained Route and Traction Knowledge their job became more rewarding with different trains to drive.

It was possible at one time for a Train Driver to work a crack express up to London and then work a Slow all stopper back home and then work a 25 mph max speed freight train the next day.

Since work has become more routine and boreing for Drivers the Amount of SPADS (signal passed at danger) increased, only modern safety features reversed this figure.

Only reported SPADS, in BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) days most minor SPADS would have been covered up, these days with data recorders then NOTHING can be covered up.

[Jez]

IMO^▸ (in my opinion) FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are good at running the high speed services but I wish Wessex trains would come back to run the local services.   I know it will never happen though but I miss Wessex trains.

[Timmer]

IMO^▸ (in my opinion) FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are good at running the high speed services but I wish Wessex trains would come back to run the local services.   I know it will never happen though but I miss Wessex trains.

I think most of the ex-Wessex staff and passengers would agree with you there. Come to think of it I suspect First wouldn't mind Wessex coming back and taking the local 'West' services off their hands as thats where most of the problems are with a lot less revenue. FGW do a pretty good job with the high speed services but ever since the Dec 06 TT change the local services have gone downhill.

[Jez]

IMO^▸ (in my opinion) FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are good at running the high speed services but I wish Wessex trains would come back to run the local services.   I know it will never happen though but I miss Wessex trains.

I think most of the ex-Wessex staff and passengers would agree with you there. Come to think of it I suspect First wouldn't mind Wessex coming back and taking the local 'West' services off their hands as thats where most of the problems are with a lot less revenue. FGW do a pretty good job with the high speed services but ever since the Dec 06 TT change the local services have gone downhill.

I agree it has gone downhill since Dec 06 however resuming the Cardiff-Taunton service in Dec 07 was a good move IMO.

[Tim]

As i've said many times before, it's not going to happen.

I think you are right but I have still signe dteh petition because - 1) I hate First Group and they deserve as much crap as we can shovel on them, 2) I might weaken their chances of winning any more franchises, 3) who knows what will happen if/when the government changes.  A new governemnt is not going to be able to resist tinkering and it is therefoire inportant that passenger views of FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are known to everyone concerned.

[vacman]

As i've said many times before, it's not going to happen.

I think you are right but I have still signe dteh petition because - 1) I hate First Group and they deserve as much crap as we can shovel on them, 2) I might weaken their chances of winning any more franchises, 3) who knows what will happen if/when the government changes.  A new governemnt is not going to be able to resist tinkering and it is therefoire inportant that passenger views of FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are known to everyone concerned.

If you hate them so much then don't use their services! quite a simple answer really??

[swlines]

All very well and good saying that - but what if there no alternative rail services, vacman?