Express trains in line for reprieve (From thisisoxfordshire)

Express trains in line for reprieve

9:33am Friday 11th May 2007

• Print
• Email
• Share

First Great Western's Adelante express trains, which operate most Oxford-London and Cotswold Line services, could be staying with the rail firm after all.

The 14-strong fleet is due to be replaced from December by an expanded fleet of InterCity 125 High Speed Trains, which are undergoing a life-extension overhaul programme.

However, the May issue of Modern Railways magazine says FGW is negotiating a new lease for the 125mph Adelantes with their owner, Angel Trains, part of the Royal Bank of Scotland.

The magazine says the move follows pressure from the Department for Transport for FGW to take steps to combat overcrowding on its services and improve punctuality and reliability after the firm scored badly in national performance tables. Recent weeks have seen an improvement, with 84.5 per cent of its trains now on time.

FGW was heavily criticised for cutting the number of morning rush-hour expresses from Oxford to London and taking trains out of service on its West of England local routes when it changed its timetables last December. The firm made more changes in January and March, including introducing an extra 7.33am fast train from Oxford to London.

Modern Railways said the DfT had been "acutely embarrassed" by the storm of protest from FGW passengers and their MPs, and wanted to avoid a repeat at the end of this year.

Asked about the future of the Adelantes, FGW spokesman Adrian Booth told the Oxford Mail: "We're looking at options to ensure there's sufficient capacity on our services."

• Print
• Email
• Share