Former railway boss says SWR timetable changes 'don't add up'
South Western Railway is facing criticism for changes to its services
A former South Western Railway (SWR) boss is calling changes to the train timetable into question.
As of yesterday (Monday 17th January), there are fewer services running through Salisbury station, with trains splitting here so fewer carriages continue on to the South West.
The temporary changes have been put down to reduced demand and staff sickness, both attributed to the coronavirus pandemic.
But Stewart Palmer, former South Western Railway managing director said:
“There is no evidence from recent weeks that the levels of sickness by staff from Covid has forced these changes on SWR on these two routes."
Instead, Mr Palmer's calling for increased service on behalf of RailFuture, a national campaign group.
He says customers are finding different ways to their destinations because of poorer service from SWR:
"SWR have already reduced the attractiveness of these services by reducing frequencies, extending average journey times and the withdrawal of on-train refreshments. They seem to display a cavalier disregard for the needs of rail users.
"These changes will just drive passengers away to higher carbon means of transport. Rail users and their elected politicians, both local and national, need to make their voices heard to reverse this madness”.
The rail operator has stressed this is a temporary measure that will be reviewed on a week-by-week basis.