A major Oxford train operator is set to face its critics in a public meeting on Monday, October 7. Railfuture Thames Valley has arranged for a senior manager from CrossCountry Trains to address concerns about future service levels from Oxford to Birmingham, Manchester, Southampton, and Bournemouth.
The meeting, open to the public, comes amidst worries about overcrowding on this crucial north-south route. CrossCountry has been under pressure from the Government to come up with a plan to address these issues, with Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds also calling for action due to the challenges faced by passengers on these routes.
There are growing concerns among the public that CrossCountry has yet to restore services through Oxford to pre-Covid levels. Richard Gibson, stakeholder manager West & Wales for CrossCountry, will provide updates at the meeting on the introduction of extra Voyager trains and the refurbishment plans for the entire CrossCountry fleet.
Dave Richardson, spokesperson for Railfuture Thames Valley, expressed gratitude for Gibson’s attendance and hopes for a clear timetable for improvements. Richardson emphasized the impact of overcrowding on passengers, noting that some travelers are unable to reach their reserved seats, leading to frustrations and difficulties.
The overcrowding issue not only affects passengers traveling to major cities like Birmingham but also impacts local journeys. Richardson pointed out that Banbury has a poorer rail service to Oxford compared to Bicester or Didcot.
The public meeting is scheduled to take place at the West Oxford Community Centre on Botley Road at 5pm. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from CrossCountry’s senior manager and address their concerns about the current state of train services in the region.
