Rail firm's biggest profit but worst service

By Dick Murray for MailOnline
Updated: 07:15 EDT, 27 February 2007

The rail company responsible for two major London commuter lines was condemned today for providing the worst service - despite making the most profit.

FirstGroup - which runs First Great Western and First Capital Connect - came bottom of the league for train timekeeping and reliability compared with other operators serving the capital.

The survey by London Travel-Watch described FGW's services to and from Paddington as 'appalling' and accused the company of not taking its problems 'seriously enough'

It comes after the news that FirstGroup is on course to make a profit this year of £191m with its rail division accounting for £91m of that.

In the Public Performance Measure, which combines punctuality and reliability, FGW's local commuter services to and from Paddington scored just 82.8%- meaning one in five trains were late.

Its long distance routes from the West were even worse - scoring just 72.7%. FGW commuters last month staged a day of 'passenger protest' The services also featured in the Evening Standard's campaign against 'cattle-truck' commuter trains.

The next worse performing route was First Capital Connect - formerly Thameslink - which scored 88.3% in the PPM league.

An average of 14 trains a day were cancelled on both routes.

Brian Cooke, TravelWatch chairman, said: 'FGW's performance, linked to the even worse performance on long distance routes, is appalling and must be improved.' But Mr Cooke said the 'greatest single cause' of disruption to service was because of breakdowns with the infrastructure, for which Network Rail is responsible.

Overall, however, there was better news for the capital's mainline rail commuters. Train operators have 'marginally' improved timekeeping, the TravelWatch survey found. Top honours went to c2c - which runs services from Shoeburyness into Fenchurch Street. The company scored a PPM of 94.9%.