Anger over 'ghost train' service (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Anger over 'ghost train' service

RAIL chiefs have been accused of going off the rails by allowing a daily 'ghost train' to make its way through the Cotswolds.

During the week, the 144-seat 6.40pm Wessex train between Swindon and Gloucester speeds past bemused commuters at Kemble station.

It also passes though Stroud and Stonehouse without stopping and watchdogs say the journey costs the taxpayer £6 a seat, or £4,330 a week in Government subsidies.

Transport 2000 is demanding action be taken to prevent what it says is a waste of money.

And it says that unless Wessex addresses the situation, it will raise the matter with ministers in the House of Commons.

Transport 200 South West spokesman David Redgewell said: "Running services is not about running ghost trains at the tax payers' expense.

"There are people who want to use this train. People are getting off trains in Swindon and look bemused when this train pulls out and they can't get on it.

"If you're waiting at Kemble Station after working in Cirencester or Tetbury and the train goes straight through and you have to wait for another hour, it can be very frustrating."

The ghost train starts its journey as a 5.36pm service from Gloucester to Swindon, picking passengers up along the way.

But it then has to make a speedy return to Gloucester, without stopping, so it can resume another service.

Wessex Trains spokesman Lewis Hill says passengers along the route are not missing out as there is another Swindon to Gloucester train which leaves just before the 'ghost train' does.

But he admitted the company is looking into the concerns raised.

He said: "From time to time we do have to run trains without any passengers. If this train picks up passengers it won't meet its other slot.

"But we are looking at whether we can run a passenger service from Swindon to Gloucester at that time."