Rail operator stops platform survey

First Great Western said leaflets pose litter problems

The train operator First Great Western has refused to allow investigators to question passengers on its platforms.

The company's performance is the subject of a statutory inquiry by the regional Rail Passenger Committee.

But the committee has been told it cannot put up posters to ask for passengers' views or give out leaflets.

The company said leaflets would pose a litter problem and it did not want its passengers inconvenienced.

We have declined to allow the survey on the platforms, just as we do with many surveys

Elaine Wilde
First Great Western

But committee chairman Christopher Irwin said he was unimpressed.

He said: "The greatest inconvenience is when trains run late or are cancelled, and are dirty and full of litter."

He went on: "I have to say I was a bit surprised. We are conducting a statutory investigation into the performance of the First Great Western franchise.

"There's been a lot of public concern about it. It's in the passengers' interest that people are given the opportunity to express their views.

"They are not going to be able to if they haven't been told about it."

'Co-operating fully'

Elaine Wilde, public relations manager for First Great Western, said the committee had been invited to question people outside station entrances.

She said: "We are co-operating fully. We have declined to allow the survey on the platforms, just as we do with many surveys.

"There's no reason why they can't do it at the entrances outside.

"We have to consider the passengers. The feedback is that some don't want to be disturbed on platforms."