Don't travel until you have to (First Great Western)

Member Name: dcmbarton

Product:	First Great Western
Date:	26/12/08 (25 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The advantage is that they provide the service; the problem is there is no choice

Disadvantages: Late trains, cancelled trains, dirty trains, rude and unhelpful staff...shall I go on?

I really can't begin to tell you how bad First Great Western train services are. It really doesn't seem possible that in the 21st century, a company is allowed to operate so badly without interferance of hindrance. I occasionally travel up to Reading or down to Bristol and in both cases, I find the trains to be dirty, poorly maintained and inefficient. They are almost always late and are nearly almost always overcrowded too. The staff I have generally found to be unhelpful and disinterested both on board and on stations. The timetables are poor and the services are infrequent. The routes are not clearly thought out and the ticket prices are high. There is a great deal of dissatisfaction locally about the service, but nothing appears to have improved. There are frequent cancellations, yet with only the one company operating the service, we have little other option. Very poor all round.

Summary: If you have no choice, then allow plenty of time for your journey.