Train misery put me back inside a car

It seems that the long running train saga continues -- and that doesn't surprise me at all.

Up until October last year, I was a regular commuter to Manchester from Blackrod Station, and suffered heavily at the hands of First North Western (FNW). After five years of disgusting service and little in the way of apology from FNW, I gave up my job, bought a car and haven't looked back since. I like it so much, I've bought a better one now.

Why private instead of public transport? Well, I can come and go as I please, I'm not a slave to FNW's timetable (surely a joke publication), I sit in comfort with ample leg-room and listen to whatever I want on the radio. I don't have to listen to folk pondering why FNW don't put extra carriages on the service for the umpteenth time. I don't see people shouting at innocent FNW staff.

I don't see fights or have to pacify drunks, my shoes don't get trodden on, I'm not jammed face-to-face with other unfortunate travellers hoping the train doesn't have to come to an emergency stop, or, worse still, derail -- surely causing major carnage? I don't see elders scared out of their wits by the commuter barrage.

I don't have to force my way through a wall of people to leave the train; I don't see people left behind with an hour to wait for the next service, time lost with their families. I get to work on time (ish), without being wound-up and full of sweat, or late and aching from standing on Blackrod platform staring hopefully down the track, or watching people slip and slide on the ice-covered bridge.

FNW destroyed a good service; they cause people heartache and distress. When FNW took over, I seem to remember claims of extra services throughout the region. If this is true, where did the carriages come from for these extra services?

In my experience of FNW, one thing is beyond doubt -- they simply couldn't care less because they know commuters need to use their disgraceful service.

Richard Heard

Greenbarn Way

Blackrod

Bolton