FirstGroup trading update

FirstGroup plc has issued a trading update on the six months to 30 September 2009 – the company states that it is absorbing a significant increase in hedged fuel costs in the current financial year, which will reduce by over one hundred million pounds for the year commencing 1 April 2010. Passenger revenue for the UK Bus division has increased by 2.3 per cent - the company states that it has taken action to protect revenue per mile by matching services to changing demand and by reducing costs. Passenger revenue at the companies’ train operating companies, including First Great Western, increased by 1.7 per cent during the six month period – First Great Western continues to receive revenue support from the Department for Transport. FirstGroup concludes the trading statement by declaring that ‘the transport industry undoubtedly faces a challenging year ahead’!

Digby and Sowton improvements

Improvements are to be undertaken over the next two years at Digby and Sowton, on the railway line between Exeter Central and Exmouth, to reflect the increased useage, following the building of many new houses in the catchment area of the station – more sheltered accommodation for waiting passengers will be provided, together with the opening of a new footpath to serve the Exeter Chiefs rugby ground at Sandy Park.

First Devon and Cornwall launch fare offers in Plymouth

First Devon and Cornwall have announced reduced fares from Sunday 11 October on ugobus services 2 and 6 linking Plymouth city centre and Plymstock – Plymouth CityBus are commencing a high frequency service 5/5A between Plymouth city centre and Plymstock from Sunday 25 October. First Devon and Cornwall has also announced that any single fare will cost one pound on new ugobus routes 12, 13, 15 and 17 from Sunday 11 October to Saturday 24 October inclusive.

South West Trains awards

Salisbury station was the overall winner of the South West Trains station awards for 2009 – it also won the medium station category. Crewkerne station was ‘highly commended’ in the competition for best small station.

PlusBus tickets

PlusBus tickets, which can provide bus travel at one or both ends of a train journey, can now be purchased from the First Great Western web site.

First Great Western seeks locomotives for sleeper services

First Great Western has issued a tender notice seeking additional locomotives for the Night Riviera sleeper services between London Paddington and Penzance – the train operating company currently has four class 57/6 locomotives for this work, but these engines have been plagued by reliability issues (one of the four locomotives (57603 Tintagel Castle) has not been in service since July).

Rail rule book to be rewritten

The Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) has commenced a four year project to totally rewrite Britain’s railway rule book, with the objective of providing ‘clear, concise and precise rules’ suitable for a twenty-first century railway system.

And finally,

Today (Monday 5 October 2009) marks the tenth anniversary of the collision of a First Great Western high speed train and a Thames Trains class 165 unit at Ladbroke Grove, in which thirty-one people died, including the two train drivers. The Ladbroke Grove tragedy, and the Hatfield accident a year later, led to fundamental changes in the management of safety on the railway and the implementation of many initiatives designed to minimise risk.