First Great Western Forced to Shape Up

UK Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly has announced measures to address train cancellations on the First Great Western (FGW) rail franchise.

The plans include a £29m passenger benefits package - paid for by FGW - to refund passengers, run additional trains, reduce fares, upgrade announcement systems and refurbish carriages.

The plans also outline the employment of more drivers, guards and technicians.

An extra 500,000 of the cheapest off-peak tickets will be available on popular routes and extra carriages will increase capacity on the Cardiff-Portsmouth line.

FGW exceeded the threshold on cancellations in the second half of 2007 and is being issued with a breach notice for misreporting cancellations.

Kelly says the measures will result in a reduction in train cancellations.

"The £29m package of benefits agreed with First Great Western will make a real difference to passengers," she says.

By Louis Makiello