RAIL passengers have criticised train operators in Oxfordshire for failing to provide good value for money, although most were satisfied with their overall experience of rail travel.

The National Passenger Survey, carried out by the rail passenger watchdog Passenger Focus, found that only 41 per cent of passengers surveyed thought they were getting value for money for the price of their ticket four per cent fewer in a previous survey carried out last autumn.

The value for money ratings for the local operators were: First Great Western: 42 per cent for its long-distance services; 39 per cent on local services in the Thames Valley and Cotswolds.

Chiltern Railways: 47 per cent Virgin CrossCountry: 58 per cent.

There was better news for Chiltern and Virgin CrossCountry when it came to overall satisfaction, with Chiltern scoring 88 per cent (up four per cent since last autumn), and Virgin CrossCountry 84 per cent (up one per cent), both above the national average of 80 per cent.

FGW fared less well, with a satisfaction score on long-haul routes of 77 per cent, a fall of six per cent, and 76 per cent on local routes, down three per cent.

The operator was also poorly rated for its handling of delays, with only 32 per cent of local passengers satisfied, but long-distance routes scored 45 per cent. Chiltern scored 40 per cent and Virgin 47 per cent. The national average was 45 per cent.

Passenger Focus chief executive Anthony Smith said: "Value for money is becoming the Achilles' heel of the rail industry. Our concern is that longer-distance passengers are perplexed by a complicated ticket system."

A spokesman from Chiltern Railways said it provided lower fares than its rivals to London and security of trains were above the national average.

An FGW spokesman called the results disappointing, but added the firm was investing £200m in passenger services.

Virgin Trains chief executive Tony Collins said: "We will not be satisfied until our customers tell us they're 100 per cent satisfied."