First Great Western Under Fire

Angie Bray criticises lousy performance and appalling service

The London Assembly today unanimously passed a motion attacking the performance of First Great Western (FGW) in providing services to West London passengers. 

Leader of the Conservative Assembly members and Conservative Candidate for Ealing Central and Acton, Angie Bray, told the meeting that in particular she was focusing on the appalling service for those trying to use trains to and from Acton Mainline Station. The full text of the motion reads:   "This Assembly notes the significant rise in complaints received by London TravelWatch and the national rail watchdog, Passenger Focus, about the performance and standard of service of First Great Western especially on its London and Thames Valley Network.  

"We place on record our concern over the fact that FGW has done little to improve its services and is continuously listed as one of the worst performing rail operators in the country.  In 2006 only 73 percent of FGW services ran on time, in June this year its services declined even further with only 68 percent of peak trains arriving within five minutes of their scheduled time where the target is 92 percent. 

"Overcrowding on FGW trains remains in excess of passenger capacity, with their morning peak results for overcrowding at a staggering 10.9 percent in autumn 2006, compared with a London and South East average of 4.8 percent.  

"As it is clear that FGW services are declining the the company seems to be unable to achieve its franchising commitment, this Assembly joins London TraveWatch in its call to the Department of Transport to investigate whether FGW has breached its franchise agreement."  

July 18, 2007