The worry is that the "Wessex" franchise would then potentially be under pressure from government (or future governments) to reduce its subsidy.

Not sure if this is a reaction to the rolling stock issues, but at least twice this week the 17.49 from Bristol to Weymouth has had a SWT^▸ (South West Trains) (or now SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) I guess) 2 carriage 158 as part of the formation. Not going to complain as people don't realise the first class section is declassified so it's an easy way to get a seat!

They do it a lot on the local stoppers anyway, as quite often in the peaks a Worcester to Weymouth service will pick up an extra unit between Bristol and Westbury. So it certainly wouldn't be something new!

Typical it had to happen last night when I was heading to Cardiff to see the Stereophonics!

Thankfully GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) were pretty good this time! HST^▸ (High Speed Train)'s were stopped at Oldfield Park and Keynsham (I bet the TM^‡(resolve)'s cannot wait until IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.)'s are in greater use - will make the job of dispatching at stations like this so much easier!) and at least one Temple Meads to Gloucester shuttle was also put on. Add to that the fact the 18:08 Parkway to Swansea was a few minutes late (not sure of reason, but was 10 late leaving Swindon so that helped in my planning!), and a that meant I manged to get to Cardiff just 5 minutes later than what I would have otherwise.

Officially I believe that is still the case.

But after seeing how slow some of the progress has been, the cancellation of Cardiff-Swansea and the talk coming from government regarding electrification and bi-modes - many of us are very skeptical! 

Is it? Granted I don't live there anymore, but I was under the impression that thanks to it being pushed quite a lot in schools, the language is actually increasing in use from what it was, especially amongst younger people.

And then of course you have the other bits of Wales where Welsh is the main language (as mentioned by chrisr_75).

So who on earth thought it was a good idea to make the contract for a set date, rather than take into consideration other rolling stock? Surely it isn't that difficult to have had the contract say the HST^▸ (High Speed Train)'s leave GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) whenever GWR get x number of 800's in active service?

Specifically regarding tannoy announcements, not sure if what the situation is at Reading but when I complained to a member of staff at Bristol Temple Meads about the lack of tannoy announcements later at night (though this was only 11.15pm) I was told "what do you expect at this time of night" as apparently there are not enough staff on duty at that time to have someone actively "man" the annoy.

At least Cardiff - London is now showing as a change at Oxford onto a train (no buses) for Saturday 14th on the NRE^‡(resolve) website.

Don't think it matters what they call the station unless they manage to massively increase both frequency and reliability on the line, considering Shirehampton station is so close (10 minute walk) and how much more frequent and reliable the P&R^▸ (Park and Ride) bus service is, the station could well end up being a disaster anyway.

Certainly didn't give a good impression today. Just one 153 on the 12.23 Oldfield Park to Bristol Temple Meads (ex Castle Cary). Just about managed to squeeze on, but at least a couple of people left on the platform at Oldfield Park (including a lady with a bike). Guard only just managed to squeeze back on and into the cab! Then at Keynsham a couple of people just about managed to squeeze off but the guard pretty much told everyone on the platform don't even bother trying to get on. Some very rightfully unhappy people there, including a group who were supposed to be going for a meal in Bristol (next time I doubt they will bother with the train and will get the bus instead!).

To the lay person it must feel like GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) simply don't want their custom (which tbh, if the situation with short formed services and cancelations continues much longer, that may well be the case!).

Maybe officially. But unofficially? Based on the comments we have seen recently about bimode being as good as electric etc, I would be very very surprised if the wires go up through Bath at any point in the short to medium term anyway.

Incase anyone is still interested, the link now states that:

Maybe GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) themselves don't know which are the "selected routes" so have had to delay it!

To be fair, that isn't a new issue at all surely? As the existing First bus fares are similarly distance based.

At the end of the day, data protection laws are exactly that, laws.
 
If a company is not sticking to the law, then they have only themselves to blame and anyone should be more than able to take them to task about it.

I am not as concerned about the subject as bignosemac is, but that does not matter. GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) need to follow the law, and for good reason. A lacking in following data protection in one area usually indicates a lacking in following it in other areas too, and we have seen just how vulnerable many websites / databases have become to vulnerabilities, sometimes caused by poor practices regarding data protection.