Passengers on some of the country’s busiest rail routes are set to benefit from extra seats Rail Minister Theresa Villiers announced yesterday.
Passengers in the Thames Valley will benefit from nearly 4,500 additional seats each day into and out of London Paddington.
The extra seats are being added thanks to Government funding for an additional 48 carriages on First Great Western services which run through Reading and the Thames Valley and into London Paddington as well as in Bristol and the far south west of England.
Anthony Smith, Passenger Focus chief executive, said:
“Our research tells us and passenger experience shows that crowding is becoming an ever greater issue.
“Investment like this is very welcome to help short-term pressures, but as well as the current investment programme we want to see more deals like these from train companies, government and councils.
“This is especially important as fares will rise in the new year and passengers want to see some action on their concerns and a return for the extra money.
“In the longer term, government investment in more carriages, longer trains and improved track capacity is needed”.
