End to school run train overcrowding in Paignton

sydneymoore - Because FGW are still awaiting 3 Class 150s from London Midland, who are in turn still awaiting at least 2 to 3 more heavily delayed Class 172s from Bombardier...

So, when the 3 150s arrive, 2 of those will be for Bristol/Devon & Cornwall, and the third is for use on Reading to Basingstoke FGW services - These two won't be available until the spring either due the time taken to Refurbish the units, and train the staff on them...

As for the Devon Metro service areas, 150209 (Which has no toilet) is being split at merged into two other FGW class 150s to create two 3 car sets - these will be based in the Bristol area, but in turn will release two 153s (Single Car) to Devon & Cornwall, as well as better flexibility in the 2 car 150s for the Devon Metro services - All these extra trains will be refurbished and repainted too, but in the mean time, the split 150209 will be working with a pair of 153s from very soon to give a slight increase in capacity...It's a case of it's not ideal, but its the best deal possible at the moment and FGW have done well to get them!

rich

Let's not forget one thing - the prime objective of the vulture rail operators is to squeeze as much money as possible out of the system. First Late Western's parent company, for instance, has just announced another 9% increase in its profits, £55.7 million of which derives directly from its rail operations.

Whereas there is a nationwide shortage of carriages at present, the situation is not helped by the fact that a sizeable minority of Late Western's on-board guards make little or no attempt at all when it comes to checking tickets' validity, etc. Perhaps if they were actually monitored better by management, there would be more money in the coffers for investment.

I have been reliably informed that a Railway Protection Officer no less has estimated that the so-called Hogwarts Express off Paignton (Mon-Fri 07.40am) loses £500 a day in fare evasion between Torbay and Exeter - schoolchildren, students and commuters all knowing full well where to sit or stand to avoid being caught. That works out at £2,500 a week and well in excess of £100,000 a year on just one solitary service!

Just seen on BBC news that Paignton won't get its extra carriage until the spring - why not NOW First GW?? Especially with all the extra people using the train over Christmas!!