F****d Great Western

Customer Services at First Great Western appeared to be in meltdown today as FGW staff struggled to cope with the pressue of the new timetable. I was treated to an astounding display today at Bristol Temple Meads. Arriving to find the 14:49 posted as Cancelled on the screens in the foyer I asked the optimistically Information Desk on platform 3 how I could get to Oldfield Park. They said that they had no information that it was cancelled and that it was showing as On Time on their screens. Despite a number of phone calls they were unable to clarify whether it was running or not and I was told tom come back later when they might have more information. When I did the cancellation was confirmed, I asked to see a Customer Services manager. "We don't even know who the Customer Servces Manager is" I was told. I then asked if the Portsmouth service could stop at Oldfield Park, but was told "WE have no control over trains here, that is all done in Swindon. If you can find anyone at Swindon with an IQ in double figures let us know, They know nothing but the're all graduates so thats OK". In the absence of any management, he said, he was taking it on himself to autorise a taxi for me to Oldfiled Park, which he did.