Why is First Great Western's service so bad?

Question

Seriously why?

Answer 1

Only they know for sure. But possible reasons (not necessarily applying to fGW):

- Over utilisation of stock (they don't have enough to run the service)

- Over optimistic timetabling

- Poor dispatching

- Poor maintenance, meaning more trains break down

- Poor regulation (signalling prioritisation) by Network Rail

- Other train companies affecting the service

One major problem is the bottleneck at Reading station. This is in the planning stages of being resignalled and the resignalling will start in the next year or two. It's quite a major project as the station is effectively being moved northwards whilst still being fully operational. This should improve punctuality significantly when it's finished.

Answer 2

Because they can be called Farce Great Western.