London, 26 February/GNN/ -- 

DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT News Release (NR 032) issued by The Government News
Network on 26 February 2008
Stock market/Press statement

The Transport Secretary, Ruth Kelly, has today announced measures to address unacceptably high levels of train cancellations on the First Great Western
franchise.

First Great Western is being issued with a Remedial Plan Notice for exceeding the threshold on cancellations in the second half of last year.

The Remedial Plan sets out a plan for reducing cancellations. This includes milestones which the Department for Transport will monitor and review.
It also outlines additional rolling stock and employment of more drivers, guards and technicians to secure a more reliable service and drastically reduce the number of  cancellations.

The company is also being issued with a Breach Notice for misreporting its cancellations.  This stipulates the steps First Great Western must take to rectify the problem.

In addition a £29m package of passenger benefits, fully funded by First Great Western, has been agreed.  This will address areas of passenger concern and
tackle the high level of train cancellations. These include:

* Passenger compensation - as previously announced, between January 2008 and January 2009 First Great Western will double its compensation rates under the
passenger charter. This will benefit any passengers who suffer disruption as well as season ticket holders who renew their tickets. These are the customers who have been most affected by the unacceptable performance. From January 2009 to January 2010 there will be a fifty per cent increase in compensation rates.

* Fares offers - an additional 500,000 of the cheapest off-peak tickets will be made available for a selection of First Great Western's most popular destinations. Fares offers will commence from 1 April of this year until 31 March 2009.

* Additional trains on the Cardiff-Portsmouth route - from summer 2008 until summer 2011 every through train will have an additional carriage to provide extra capacity. This will increase trains from 2 carriages to 3,
an aggregate increase of 40% capacity. This will mitigate the crowding on one of First Great Western's most popular routes, which runs through Bristol.

* Upgrade of station customer information systems - new and additional high quality information equipment will be installed at more stations. This will include additional modern monitors. This will finish by end of December 2010.

* Accelerating the refurbishment of Thames Valley commuter trains - First Great Western will refurbish these trains earlier than contracted and will spend
double the previously agreed amount. Refurbishment of Thames Valley commuter trains will commence this year and will be completed by 2011. Refurbishment
will include the modernisation of carriage interiors to a far higher standard than originally planned. Lines to benefit will include London to Reading, Oxford, Newbury and Reading to Gatwick.

Failure to deliver these new commitments would be a default of the franchise agreement which could lead to the Government terminating First Great Western's
franchise.

Ruth Kelly said: 
"The performance of First Great Western has fallen persistently short of customers' expectations and has been unacceptable to both passengers and Government.

 "The £29m package of benefits agreed with First Great Western will make a  real difference to passengers. It includes over 500,000 cheaper tickets on  the busiest routes, extra carriages between Cardiff and Portsmouth and vastly  increases investment in the refurbishment of Thames Valley commuter trains.

"The measures I have announced today will lead to a reduction in train cancellations and also provide a substantial package of benefits to First Great Western's customers."

Source: Department for Transport
 

MIAMI, Feb. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Carnival Cruise Lines will roll out its first-ever "Funtennial" celebration offering a variety of special offers and giveaways throughout the month of March, commemorating the anniversary of the cruise line's inaugural voyage in March 1972.

The month-long promotion will feature a different booking incentive each week during March, including free stateroom upgrades, shipboard credits, special savings and more.

The special offers are available in conjunction with a wide variety of "Fun Ship" departures, including select three- to five-day getaways to the Caribbean or Mexico, seven-day voyages to the Caribbean or Mexican Riviera, or longer length sailings to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and South America.

Additionally, each week in March, a drawing will be held awarding a free cruise, along with a number of high quality digital cameras, to those who book any "Fun Ship" voyage that week.

The weekly cruise giveaway encompasses a four- or five-day western Caribbean voyage in an owner's suite on the Carnival Imagination from Miami or Carnival Inspiration from Tampa. These two ships are the first to undergo all phases of the line's "Evolutions of Fun" product enhancement initiative and now feature the Carnival WaterWorks aqua park, Serenity adults-only retreat, resort-style main pool area, and
renovated staterooms and spas.

Consumers who book a "Fun Ship" cruise during the promotional period are also automatically registered to win one of 10 Fuji digital cameras to be given away each week during the "Funtennial" celebration - perfect
for capturing terrific "Fun Ship" vacation memories.

"Our new 'Funtennial' promotion is a fun and unique way to celebrate our company's anniversary while providing consumers with some very attractive savings and upgrades, along with some great prizes and giveaways," said Ruben Rodriguez, Carnival's executive vice president of marketing and guest experience.

Carnival is the largest and most popular cruise line in the world, with 22 "Fun Ships" operating voyages ranging from three to 18 days in length to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, New England, Canada, Bermuda, Europe, the Greek Isles and South America. The line has three new ships scheduled for delivery between now and 2011.

To obtain information on the "Funtennial" promotion and view official contest rules, visit carnival.com/funtennial beginning March 1. Consumers may enter to win without purchase.

Additional information and reservations on Carnival's "Fun Ship" vacations are available by contacting any travel agent, calling 1-800-CARNIVAL or visiting carnival.com.

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