More than third of trains run late (From Witney Gazette)

More than third of trains run late

8:29am Tuesday 15th January 2008 in Headlines By Matt Wilkinson

MORE than a third of First Great Western trains running through Oxfordshire were late in the past month - piling on more misery for commuters and passengers.

Only 64 per cent of the operator's trains arrived on time after a new timetable was introduced on December 9.

Before the changes about 73 per cent of trains arrived at the platform on schedule.

The firm, which has a target of 92 per cent, blamed timetable teething problems and essential track maintenance.

A spokesman for commuter campaign group Ox Rail Action said: "This comes as no surprise. The new timetable was supposed to fix all of this but passengers have been subjected to yet more misery."

Andrew Wilkins, of the Cotswold Line Promotion Group, believes the drop in punctuality is almost entirely down to poor service in the Costwolds.

He said: "The punctuality and reliability in these parts over the past month has been appalling."

Passengers are due to meet FGW bosses this week to discuss the problems.

A spokesman for FGW said: "Our punctuality figures were badly affected by two engineering over-runs and serious signalling problems.

"At the same time, there were initial teething problems with the new timetable.

"These problems have been overcome and, given better luck with the infrastructure situation, we can look forward to consistent improvement and steady progress towards our target figures."