Rail company is told 'get a grip'

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Rail operator First Great Western has been warned it could be stripped of its franchise if services do not improve.

Speaking in the Commons, Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly urged company managers to "get a grip".

She said the firm was being put "on notice" to improve services, which had been "unacceptable for far too long".

First Great Western said it had already put in place a £29m package of improvements, which includes hiring more drivers and guards.

In a statement the company said it accepted it had not provided the service level its customers deserved.

"We have put in place a remedial plan that has been agreed with the Department for Transport, it said.

"We are already seeing improved performance and this includes our latest cancellations figures for February, which are the lowest level of cancellations for 18 months."

'Worst Great Western'

Ms Kelly said the company had recorded the highest level of passenger dissatisfaction in a survey last autumn.

North Wiltshire MP James Gray remarked how services from Paddington to the West Country and Wales used to be called "the Great Western Railway or even God's Wonderful Railway" but now it was known as "Worst Great Western".

Ms Kelly said: "I certainly agree their performance has been unacceptable for far too long."

She said a package of improvements announced last month, which is part of a remedial plan agreed between the operator and the government, included a doubling of compensation for disrupted services, new rolling stock and more cheap tickets.

'Red card coming'

Stroud's MP David Drew said he welcomed the "slap of firm government" but urged her to go even further in tackling "countless delays and cancellations".

Mr Drew said: "This yellow card is welcome but what do we now need to expect to make sure that if they don't reform themselves, there will be a red card coming in due time?"

Ms Kelly told him: "First Great Western have definitely been put on notice. Their performance has to improve. That's why we have agreed a remedial plan.

"If they breach that remedial plan it is open to me to withdraw their franchise."