From todays Observer

"Added to this, cuts in government subsidy to the rail companies mean they have reduced their services. First Great Western, serving the West Country and the Thames Valley, has removed 700 services over the last month and added to passenger discomfort by leasing fewer carriages. It turns out this was part of the company's new contract with the Department of Transport, which has also demanded a premium of more than £1bn. Money is being taken out rather than invested."