Complaining about First Great Western

I've just posted in a complaint to First Great Western about their revenue collection efforts. I generally don't talk down public transport as it is so important that people do have confidence in using it. However, this particular issue is so bizarre, I felt it warranted a short blog post.

In essence, First Great Western seem to want to make it ever more difficult to actually buy a ticket for their trains. My story goes like this...

I decided on Wednesday evening that I was going to go to Bath (to watch Bath City leave the FA Cup, as it happens). I went to catch the 5.31pm train from Clifton Down to Temple Meads, to go on to Bath Spa.

The first thing was that the ticket machine was out of order. I heard from a resident that it was giving out the wrong tickets for the wrong money last week, so someone had thoughtfully covered it in hazard tape in the meantime.

Remembering how things worked before the machine was installed, I went to the back of the train to find the guard. The guard, however, seemed determined not to sell any tickets, ducking back into his cabin immediately after every station. It was busy on the train, but not so busy that he couldn't get down the aisle to check and sell.

So, I arrived at Temple Meads and did what any respectable passenger should: I went in search of the unpaid fares desk by the exit barriers. And, guess what... no-one there! So, I'd tried to buy a ticket three times between Clifton Down and Temple Meads without success. Finally, I did manage to get a ticket on the way out at Bath Spa, but it makes you wonder how many people would have bothered.

Come on FGW - please make it easier for passengers and let them buy tickets when they want to! It makes me very nervous getting on a train without a ticket, even when I know it's not my fault and this is neither fair nor good business.

Cotham Forum reminder

I've been a very naughty blogger again - sorry for a lengthy period of silence, but I've been really busy with 'real life' recently.

A quick reminder that the next meeting of the Cotham Forum is this coming Thursday (1st December) from 7pm to 9pm at Tyndale Baptist Church Hall on Whiteladies Road. The Church is vaguely opposite Clifton Down railway station and the hall is to the right of the church itself, alongside Imperial Road. Details are on the poster to the left.

The Forum is open to all Cotham residents and it's an informal chance to raise local issues of concern with councillors, council officers and the Police. They are generally very informal affairs and I enjoy them! The theme for this meeting is improving parks, but there will be plenty of chance to raise other matters too. I hope to see you there.