"Campaign for train changes must go on" - Vickers
February 8, 2007 12:00 AM
Tony Vickers is campaigning for a better train service
Northcroft Councillor Tony Vickers is stressing the importance of complaining when it comes to the campaign to get First Great Western to improve the services they are offering West Berkshire. After a disrupted and uncomfortable journey in December Councillor Vickers complained to Alison Forster, Managing Director of First Great Western, and was compensated with £20 rail vouchers for himself, and a number of his fellow passengers.
Councillor Vickers recalled the journey:
"Planned engineering works caused an unexpected diversion to Swindon - First Great Western didn't warn passengers of these works, nor did they publicise them on their website. Upon arriving late at Reading, we were told to go and catch the replacement bus to Newbury, only to find it pulling out of the car park half-empty. Surely it wouldn't be too much to expect for the train and bus companies to communicate over arrival times? The next bus did not arrive for nearly an hour and was so full it could not accommodate a passenger's bicycle. At no point did anyone apologise, explain what was happening, offer refreshments or a refund."
Continuing his campaign to persuade First Great Western to provide a better service to its customers, Councillor Vickers is emphasising the importance of getting elected representatives to complain:
"I had some limited success in that my complaint resulted in some rail vouchers for a number of passengers. It is important that you report your bad experiences of First Great Western so they know the problems are serious and ongoing. West Berkshire Council is again writing to First Great Western asking them to improve their services and we will persist until the situation is vastly improved."
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