Commuters rebel against timetable changes that leave them crushed

The company has announced a £250 million upgrade this year of the line with faster and more frequent trains - but Beaconsfield will continue to be served by fewer trains than Gerrards Cross despite the fact that it has a larger population. Beaconsfield's population is 12,000 compared to 7,350 at Gerrards Cross.
Currently Gerrards Cross is served by eight trains from Marylebone between 5.30pm and 7pm but Beaconsfield is served by just six since since timetable changes in December.
And new faster 172 type trains being brought in when the line is upgraded are likely to stop every hour at Beaconsfield compared to twice per hour at Gerrards Cross, a spokesman for Chiltern Railways said this week.
She said information given to the Bucks Advertiser last week that new trains would not stop at Beaconsfield at all was incorrect.
Commuters commenting on this newspaper's website have called on a rethink.
Mark Anderson said: "Chiltern Railways should be applauded for their upgrading of service, but their knuckles ought to be rapped when it comes to scheduling and looking after their existing customers. It's a shame that there isn't an alternative because I'd show my frustration with my wallet and take a different operator... but there isn't so, come on Chiltern Railways, sort out the shoddy scheduling for one of your busiest and most lucrative stations as the new two storey car park (at Beaconsfield) attests."
He said commuters from Beaconsfield suffered more now that the busy 18.15 from Marylebone no longer stops, making trains before and after more crowded.
In comparison, commuters to Gerrards Cross have more trains and they are scheduled with sensible gaps.
He said: "It's madness, and frankly whomever has thought up this service needs to try to catch these trains daily to see what an effort it is."
Another commuter, named as Dan C, urged: "Beaconsfield commuters, there is still time to email your suggestions and proposals for timetable changes due in May."
You can view the proposals at www.chilternrailways.co.uk and comment on them by e-mailing timetableconsultation@chilternrailways.co.uk before February 2.