Commuters to meet rail managers (From Witney Gazette)

Commuters to meet rail managers

6:15pm Monday 14th January 2008 in Headlines By William Crossley

OXFORDSHIRE rail commuters are getting three chances to put their views about poor services to managers from First Great Western in the next week.

On Wednesday, members of Oxford commuter group OxRail Action are meeting Andrew Haines, FGW's chief operating officer, to discuss problems with the firm's latest timetable, which was introduced last month.

On Friday, Witney MP and Conservative Party leader David Cameron has organised a public meeting in Charlbury so his constituents can put their complaints about frequent delays to trains on the Cotswold Line to FGW managers.

The firm's route director east, Mike Carroll, and Thames Valley general manager, Richard Rowland, will attend the meeting, at the Corner House, in Market Street, from 4.30pm to 5.30pm.

The timing has prompted complaints from some commuters, but Mr Cameron's research assistant, James Meller, said diary commitments made that the only time a meeting could be fitted in at short notice.

Discussions were taking place about whether it would be possible to arrange an evening or weekend meeting.

The third opportunity for passengers to put their points across will be at Oxford station on Tuesday next week, when FGW is holding a Meet the Managers session in the station booking hall from 4pm to 8pm.