First of all, the problems with First Great Western are in fact after Exeter and way after that, they start in Plymouth and finish in Penzance and believe me I'm sure the number of complaints First Great Western have received from Cornwall could more than cover that distance!!
My most recent disaster was last Thursday, I arrived at Redruth to catch the 14.29 to London Paddington, I got there and the screen suddenly changed from showing 'On Time' to 'Cancelled' I wasn't impressed, the next one wasn't for another HOUR picking up on someone elses point that they just aren't regular enough. The ticket man must have been having a truly awful day but nevertheless I wasn't exactly pleased to see that he'd pulled the blind down in the ticket office so he didn't have to face the angry people in the station!!
When the train did finally arrive it wasn't like the plush refurbished trains they have running between Plymouth and London Paddington, it was old and stuffy and get this - only TWO carriages long!!! So not only had they cancelled the previous train they then expected us all to cram into a tiny train that was dirty and uncomfortable!! Knowing I had 6 and a half hours to face travelling on a train that day it wasn't the best start and needless to say just about everyone was cursing First Great Western last Thursday!!
I appreciate that they are in the process of refurbishing but it would help if their 'back-up' trains were actually reliable. I paid £53.00 return for a ticket to Hatfield and the service was far below the standard expected for that cost!!
This isn't my only bad experience either so it's not like I've not given them a fair chance to win me over; on one occasion I paid £13.00 for a return ticket to Plymouth from Cornwall and the train stopped halfway there and they couldn't get the brakes to release (they were even kicking the doors to get the brakes to unjam!!!) Once again that train was old and only two carriages long and we were waiting for over an hour on the train (with the heating on full how kind of them - not!!) before they told us all to get off and wait for coaches! There wasn't even standing room and they'd had to turn people away because the train was that full!
Take it from an experienced First Great Western train traveller - take a flight or drive!!!
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I completely agree. Recently went to Bath with Great western, who as expected, got me there 2 hours late. When i spoke to the train conductor, he was actually quite proud of the fact that they rarely get their passengers to their destinations on time! rubbish! Sorry, reading your review brought the rage back!! aargh.
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Advantages: On Time, friendly staff, High speed service great! Disadvantages: Chronic overcrowding, dirty and tired trains, lack of staff on board Wessex Services
vc-10 06.02.2008 (11.03.2008)
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Review of First Great Western
Advantages: Fast & Efficient, Plenty of Seats, Buffet's Good, Children's Activities Disadvantages: Maybe a tad expensive - though deals can be found (but not on my route!)
evesham1988la 23.08.2005 (24.08.2005)
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Review of First Great Western
Advantages: Pleasent Staff, always there to help! Disadvantages: No leg room, very dated, uncomfortable seating, and not enough space to put your luggage.
Copie1990 23.11.2009 ·
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Feb 28th, 2008
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