Oxford commuters angered by train timetable changes are switching to the coach to get into London.
Changes brought in by First Great Western on Monday prompted a furious reaction from regular rail passengers. City MPs Andrew Smith and Evan Harris have been inundated with calls from commuters urging them to intervene.
Dr Harris, Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, said: "I have received a large number of emails on this and I have written to First Great Western to ask for an urgent meeting."
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He will raise the matter with Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport, on Tuesday.
First Great Western outraged passengers when it withdrew the 6.45am and 7.25am services from Oxford to Paddington. There are now trains at 6.38am and 7.05am, but they start from Moreton-in-Marsh and Great Malvern and are packed by the time they reach Oxford.
'First Great Western is blaming the Department of Transport for the timetable changes but they are passing the buck'
Passenger Simon Eaton
Hundreds of passengers have signed a petition demanding the reinstatement of the 7.25 service, which got them to London in time to be at work by 9am. Passengers sick of being forced to stand are switching to the coach.
Ann Black, of Howard Street, Oxford, said: "The 7.25 was usually on time and passengers could find a seat because it started in Oxford. In future, I shall travel by bus, which costs £10 per trip instead of £40 and will allow me to sit down. More importantly, unlike First Great Western, the bus companies actually seem to welcome customers."
Both bus companies running London services said they had noticed an increase in trade during the past week - but it was too early to say if the rail changes were the cause.
Oxford Bus Company general manager Louisa Weeks said: "We have detected an increase in passengers on the Espress service to London but it's too early to say whether or not this is as result of the new train timetable. However we'd be more than happy to welcome new travellers aboard."
Chris Child, a spokesman for Stagecoach in Oxford, added: "At the moment it is too early to say whether the new railway timetable has caused people to switch. However, we don't think it will take long to attract disgruntled train users."
Investment banker Simon Eaton, 43, from North Oxford, lobbied the city's MPs and contacted First Great Western to complain about the changes. He said: "Before, the trains were crowded but not overcrowded and now they are packed.
"First Great Western is blaming the Department of Transport for the timetable changes but they are passing the buck."
The best way to complain about this farce is to bypass FGW and go straight to the top.
Suggest those with complaints email them to Moir Lockhead, Chief Exec of First.
His email is:
moir.lockhead@firstgroup.com
The best way to complain about this farce is to bypass FGW and go straight to the top.
Suggest those with complaints email them to Moir Lockhead, Chief Exec of First.
First Great Western should not have made the changes. I agree that the coach is better as first great western now-at least the coaches don't make unpopular changes
First Great Western should not have made the changes. I agree that the coach is better as first great western now-at least the coaches don't make unpopular changes
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