Passengers criticise rail service

One man said he could not trust the reliability of the service because of the number of cancellations.

For the 12 months up to February 5 this year, FGW was well short of its 92 per cent target for punctuality, at just 78.6 per cent.

When a new timetable was brought in at the beginning of this year the figures were even more dismal. Over a four-week period punctuality was 61.8 per cent, while reliability was 97.6 per cent - the target was 99 per cent.

Malcolm Harper, of Church Lane, Charlbury, said he preferred to travel by rail because the station was just a few minutes walk from his home. But he added: "I have recently had several trains just cancelled and then got bussed into Oxford, taking much longer.

"I also had a hospital appointment in Oxford for 9.20am but had to get in the car because the train wasn't running. Sometimes they give an explanation, a notice on the station window or door, other times none at all.

"If you're going to catch a flight you have to be there on time. I can't depend on the reliability of the trains to do that."

FGW is the sole operator on the Cotswold Line, which connects Kingham, Shipton and Ascott-under-Wychwood, Charlbury, Finstock, Combe and Hanborough stations to Oxford, and then on to London.

Mike Breakell, a retired lecturer and district councillor for the Charlbury and Finstock area, said some commuters were now going by car to Banbury and Bicester and using the more reliable Chiltern Line. He said: "Sadly, I notice that less people now seem to be using the line, when I use Charlbury or Finstock stations."

FGW spokesman Lance Cole said: "The main problem on the line is the single track, which will be an issue for whoever has the franchise until it is resolved.

"But there have also been problems with two of the Adelante class high speed trains which can go up to 125mph.

"We have had to substitute them with slower turbo units which obviously has an impact on the timetable."