Train change causes uproar

8:55am Thursday 14th December 2006

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By The Page Turner »

Rail passengers commuting to London are stepping up their campaign against First Great Western's axeing of two busy express services.

They say the changes have led to a "nightmare" for passengers, who are being "treated like cattle".

From Monday, First Great Western withdrew the 6.45 and 7.25 trains from Oxford to Paddington.

Zahra Akkerhuys, 34, a press officer for a London transport firm, said the changes in the timetable were causing major problems.

Mrs Akkerhuys, who lives off Abingdon Road, Oxford, said: "Previously, several fast trains started in Oxford, but now commuters must cram on to trains from Hereford or Moreton-in-Marsh.

"These trains are more than half-full when they arrive, so commuters boarding at Oxford and Didcot struggle to get a seat - many have to stand all the way to London.

"Unless commuters catch the 7.05 train, it's not possible to get to work in London until 9am. The 7.44 gets in too late.

"Commuters are paying £3,500 a year to use this service. Commuting each day to London is tough, and turning the station platform into a battleground is going to make each day a nightmare.

"The situation for passengers travelling from Didcot is even worse."

Earlier this month, commuter Susan Westlake began a petition against the axeing of the 7.25am service, which was also the only fast train from Radley to London.

Ms Westlake, 23, from West Oxford, is now liaising with Mrs Akkerhuys, a former Oxford Mail journalist, to persuade FGW to conduct an urgent review of the timetable.

To sign the petition, go to www.petitionthem.com and search for 7.25 Oxford train.

Richard Rowland, Thames Valley regional manager for FGW, said that a limited review would be carried out in the new year but it would be difficult to bring in major changes.