IT was a life-long interest in public transport dating back to a term in charge of the passenger transport authority Centro which started Dr Jones's involvement with the national railways' watchdog.

He steps down as chairman of the central region of the Rail Users Consultative Committee this month after 12 years in the post.

The work sees him deal with Government ministers and chief executives of the privatised train companies. The committee is responsible for among other matters figures on punctuality, reliability and safety of services.

Dr Jones said Railtrack's track record on coping with the increased demand for train had been poor because they had no incentive to provide extra capacity, but privatisation had been generally a positive move.

"The last four or five years has been a period of considerable change," he said. "I think the best facet of the privatisation is planning in the industry is now more long-term."

The nature of the committee had also changed after the sell-off with the railways regulator and franchise director being added to the system, he added.

More work was now devoted to complaints and checking the standard of service whereas previously the emphasis had been on persuading British Rail to carry out improvements.

Dr Jones said the greatest change he had witnessed was the explosion in the number of services which in turn had encouraged more passengers.

Originally from north Wales, Dr Jones read chemistry at Birmingham University and lectured at Midlands universities and colleges.

Although officially now retired, he continues to lecture for the Open University and is an examiner for the International Baccalaureate for whom he was once deputy chief.

He was a county councillor with the former West Midlands County Council in the early 1980s and it was through that he became chairman of Centro.

Among his many "hats", he is a member of the valuation tribunal for householders or business owners who think they have been wrongly banded for council tax and non-domestic rates.

He moved to Areley Kings about 12 years ago and lives there with his wife Wendy and old english sheepdog Dewi. His two daughters and grandchild live in Lincolnshire.