Sir - First Great Western's response to the Transport Secretary's (Warning Issued, February 29), must be welcomed. Refurbished "turbos" and improved information screens to explain late and cancelled services will no doubt make passengers feel much better. But one aspect of this long-running story has received little attention.
The newest units in FGW's fleet are now in the process of being withdrawn and are going into storage. The 14 Adelante class 180s, five-coach trains introduced less than ten years ago on such routes as Paddington-Oxford-Worcester, are fitted out in similar style to the HSTs.
Initially they were unreliable and disliked by the staff. Now these problems have been fixed, some are destined to be transferred to Hull Trains, but most are going into storage when they could continue to be operated by trained and experienced staff on that part of the network they were designed to serve.
Why is their lease not being extended at least until adequate and comparable alternatives are available?
Which is the priority - trains available now, or screens soon, telling you why your service isn't running?
You can't ride a screen, however much your ticket costs.
John Webber, Brackley
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