Extra weekday train for Newbury commuters
Additional service at 9.24am will stop at Thatcham, Theale, Reading and Paddington
FIRST Great Western (FGW) is now running an extra off-peak service every weekday morning from Newbury to London Paddington to help alleviate overcrowding.
The additional train, at 9.24am, consists of eight carriages and stops at Thatcham, Theale, Reading and London Paddington.
FGW says the extra service offers a more comfortable and faster journey alternative to the 9am train, which the operator describes as a "three car, often crowded, turbo type train".
A statement from the train operator said: "We continually review our timetable and are constantly looking at ways to improve service for our passengers.
"With amendments to the train plan elsewhere on our network we have been able to replace a three carriage turbo with an eight carriage High Speed Train on this service, providing considerably more seats just after the morning peak from Newbury through Reading towards London."
It added that the service began with its new Summer timetable on Monday May 18.
One commuter, Tim Thomas, tweeted on June 3: "Enjoyed my first trip on the 9.24 service from Newbury this morning. Plenty of room on board."
In 2012, a report revealed that FGW were the worst rail operator in the region for peak-time overcrowding.
The government figures showed that the rail firm used to run at an average of 7.1 per cent overcapacity during peak time on services in London and the South East.
Research from independent passenger group Railfuture shows that the overall number of passengers using Newbury railway station between 2005 and 2012 has increased by 61 per cent.
Further research from the group revealed that more than 30 per cent of passengers who were quizzed in Newbury said they were unhappy with what they perceived as overcrowded carriages.
Last week, FGW came under fire after a damning television documentary appeared to show Newbury rail station staff being trained to offer more expensive tickets.
In Channel 4 Dispatches programme ‘Are you paying too much?’, an unidentified trainer was filmed directing staff to charge Reading-to-London commuters more than the cheapest option.