FOR the first time in months I arrived at work every day on time and returned home when I expected.

This amazing turn about in my timekeeping was due to the fact that I have given up using Central Trains from Bromsgrove station and instead car share. In the past I would be late for work two or three times every week, trains would regularly be delayed for an hour or more and we were kept in the dark about when we might get to our destinations.

On the rare occasion a Central Trains representative came to the station he informed us that we shouldn't complain about the service because "it was quicker than walking." Unfortunately as my ten mile journey to Bournville has taken more than three hours in the past this isn't necessarily true!

Although improvements to Bromsgrove station are welcome it would be a very naive person who believed this would encourage Central to improve its service. Currently the main rush-hour trains are only two carriages long when the platform can already take three. There were some three carriage trains but Central has extended them to cope for growing passenger numbers and it can no longer stop at the station. As trains are never full before they arrive at Bromsgrove any sane person would wonder how reducing services will increase capacity but Central defy logic.

There is of course such a thing as selective door opening (where long trains stop at short platforms) but unfortunately Central Train's bought trains that are incompatible with its existing stock and so this cannot be used.

What has Central Trains done for the Bromsgrove commuter? It has abandoned stopping services into Birmingham, practically abandoned services to Cheltenham, and more than halved fast peak time services into Birmingham.

People rely on the trains to get them to work on time and poor time-keeping doesn't endear you to your boss.

The only way train services from Bromsgrove will improve is if Central

Trains is sacked when its franchise comes up for renewal!

Craig Swainland

Bromsgrove