The big news today - the First group has been awarded the Greater Western Franchise to operate all train services to the West of London for the next seven years including all the expresses right through to the small but rapidly growing (or it has been) local line through our town of Melksham.

I'm unclear as yet what the proposed service level is for Melksham under the First Group - our line was under threat of severe curtailment (see our sister site) and none of the announcements make any mention of it. Frankly, it's hard to be optimistic - other threatened services get a mention in the announcement with "Sleeper saved" and "New through train to London" headlines. But I'm not making any assumptions and I've dropped them an email to ask.

The picture on the left was taken on the train last Saturday - a two car set, with standing room only. Yes, it was busier than usual with a group booking on the train but there were a heck of a lot of people other than the group too. Have a look at further pictures that we use - a number of different trains, all except one of the picture taken on or of a threatened service.

My congratulations to the First Group - your bid describes a lot of positive steps and I hope it includes similar positive steps for Melksham - a rapidly growing town where ticket sales have increased at a compound rate of 35% per annum for the past five years.
(written 2005-12-13 17:45:32)

 

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Greater Western Franchise Awarded
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