PUBLIC MEETING CALLED ON WHETHER RAIL OPERATOR FCC SHOULD LOSE ITS FRANCHISE

9.45.00am GMT Tue 9th Mar 2010

Lib Dem Transport Spokesman, Norman Baker MP

Following continuing erratic performance by First Capital Connect and a growing wave of anger at the complexity of FCC compensation proposals after a winter of discontent, Sandy Walkington has called a public meeting for Tuesday 16 March to discuss whether FCC should now lose their franchise. The main speaker will be Norman Baker MP, Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesman in the House of Commons.

The meeting will take place at Marlborough Road Methodist Church in the centre of the city and will start at 7.00 pm with doors opening at 6.30 pm.

"I am being e-mailed and phoned many times a day by local travellers who have reached the end of their tether," Sandy said.

"The mechanism exists for rail franchises to be handed back if franchisees fail to deliver the promised service. FCC seems to have had a charmed life in hanging on to its lucrative monopoly, it is time that passengers had their say. I am looking forward to a lively discussion next week."