FGW 'apology' for problems in first week of train timetable

Cancellations and delays have once again plagued the new train timetable that came into play earlier this month in Maidenhead and Twyford.

From December 9, a new First Great Western timetable has been in place which was designed to ease the commute into London but the service has been met with disgust by seething commuters.

Theresa May MP added her voice to the chorus of complaints this week after receiving hordes of mail directed against First Great Western (FGW), who operate the service affecting residents in Maidenhead and Twyford.

The problems facing commuters include daily delays as well as some gaps in the timetable at key times of the day, particularly in Twyford.

Commuters had hoped this year's timetable would be an improvement, after battling for changes to be made after the December 2006 timetable brought misery to peak time journeys.

Andrew Haines, chief operating officer at First Great Western, issued an apology to customers yesterday, blaming signalling and track problems, overrunning engineering work, freight and passenger train failures, trains without enough carriages and crew shortages, for the delays.

He added: "Our new timetable, which was introduced last week, is providing more seats and more services. There were a number of problems at the start on some routes and we have acted quickly to address these."

Click here to see the apology letter, which reminds customers of their compensation rights.

See this week's Advertiser for commuter reactions to the timetable.