Rail campaigners in Oxford are in talks with managers at First Great Western over the possible end of a 10 per cent discount on season tickets, introduced earlier this year.

Regular commuters on several routes across the network were granted the discount after the company recorded poor punctuality rates in the four weeks to January 6, with just 78 per cent of its rush-hour trains in the Thames Valley on time. The target is 90 per cent.

The discount was agreed in February, but talks are now taking place to see if it will be retained when new fares, taking effect in January, are announced next month.

FGW said it was hoping to broker a deal with commuters which would see a reduced discount introduced.

Zahra Akkerhuys, of Ox Rail Action, which campaigns on behalf of commuters, said: “The service definitely improved in the summer, but in the past couple of months we have noticed a significant drop in the standard of the service.

“On some occasions, passengers have been stuck on trains outside Oxford for about 20 minutes at a time.

“As a result, we have been talking to First Great Western about the possibility of maintaining the discount for season ticket holders until the performance really improves.

“At this stage, we feel that the firm has not delivered a service which merits totally eradicating the discount.”

Richard Rowland, FGW's regional manager for London and the Thames Valley, said: “We have spoken to Ox Rail Action and are proposing to offer a 7.5 per cent discount in the New Year on season tickets from Oxford to London, until we achieve the level of performance that means the discount is no longer required.”

Regardless of what happens to the discount, passengers will see fares increase from January, added FGW spokesman Adrian Booth.

He said: “Rail fares can increase in May and September, but we froze them for a year after the January increase.

“Fuel costs have been escalating and it is likely that there will be increases in line with what is happening with other rail companies.”

At the moment, an annual standard class season ticket from Oxford to London Paddington costs £3,892.

Mr Booth said the company was also finalising its new timetable for next month.

He said the new timetable was not expected to include “dramatic” alterations.

Two years ago, FGW caused uproar when it cancelled two fast commuter services from Oxford, which were reinstated after passenger protests.