Where’s Wally? He’s missing!

Can you find First Great Wally? He’s the one that holds up the trains!

We’re probably not going to blame the staff, believe it or not. We’ll blame management who can’t ensure staff get to where they need to be. We’re looking at you, Horatio Hopwood!

National Rail: Disruption to First Great Western services on Monday 31 December 2012: Because of train crew shor… http://t.co/gKvPYooP

— Sky Travel Updates (@skytravelupdate) December 31, 2012

'This train has been cancelled as we cannot find the driver, please disembark' you've really outdone yourself this time first great western

— alice weston (@aliceweston2) October 20, 2012

http://twitter.com/INRIXRadiouk/status/277731836426342400

@FGW currently sitting in 1731 Oxford-London. Not going: 'waiting for a member of train crew'. Is their time more important than mine? :(

— Dave Howey (@DavidHowey) January 31, 2013

@FGW you make us wait 20mins on train, then announce that train driver has not turned up (again!). 3/4 of train have to get off :-(

— Matthew Ogston (@matthewogston) February 4, 2013

@FGW It wasn't delayed at Paddington. It just showed up late cos it left the depot early. Just cos your driver doesn't show up…

— Sophie Atkinson (@sophferocious) February 15, 2013

@ghigo_sa This train is delayed at Paddington due to a member of train crew being unavailable. I'm sorry for the inconvenience caused. ^Tara

— First Great Western (@FGW) February 13, 2013

@FGW fantastic customer service at Guildford as driver fails to show for 16.56 Gatwick service causing misery to customers(!?) thoughts?

— Paul Marcus (@PaulMarcusRadio) February 10, 2013

Still struggling to comprehend just how useless First Great Western are. The 18:13 was cancelled today due to a lack of staff.

— Kyle Tilley (@KyleTilley) February 9, 2013

http://twitter.com/richardgarvie/status/300266300557651969

@FGW can we have a driver who actually doesn't mind getting up for the 06.20 exDID? Third day in a row it's hideously late. Ta.

— Pete (@petsco) February 8, 2013

http://twitter.com/ReebokBoofle107/status/299574222513115139

@FGW Can’t even get their staff to work on time let alone the rest of us. Noted.

— Chris (@aeonzs) February 7, 2013

@FGW 0834 from Reading. Apparently the driver didn’t turn up, this making 70 people late for work…

— Chris (@aeonzs) February 7, 2013

@fgw sitting on a train @ Reading station, any clues when the driver will turn up?

— Dom (@DomJRon) February 7, 2013

@warrenjacks Hi Warren. Sorry for this. Due to a member of traincrew being unavailable not able to use normal train. -Ollie

— First Great Western (@FGW) February 7, 2013

@FGW it's Cardiff v Bristol today and a train is essentially canceled due to lack of crew. Joke of a train service.

— Jimmy (@JayTee3k) February 16, 2013

Nice one @fgw sitting on the 18.25 from Paddington & the train driver's missing! Part of your cutbacks?

— Tunde (@Teerex2) February 21, 2013

http://twitter.com/M_Deaks/status/303928581011169280

"Apologies for the delay but we were waiting for the driver" @FGW I think I would prefer you to have made something up #ihatetrains

— Craig Harrodine (@captain_worm) February 19, 2013

http://twitter.com/Mo_Raja/status/298357497729802240

I love the euphemistic “dispacement of crew” announcements from @FGW. How does a transport company not manage to get its staff where needed?

— Matt Dixon (@the_bald_man) June 20, 2013

@FGW 19.30 Paddington is jammed full, can't get to seat coz full. We're like battery chickens. Late running as no driver. UNACCEPTABLE

— Krissie Haigh (@krissiehaigh) July 19, 2013

@Covboy Apologies for the cancellation. That was due to a member of staff being unavailable. Dan

— First Great Western (@FGW) June 18, 2013

Groan! 0825 Cardiff to London canceled because not enough train staff! Have you heard the likes?! @FGW #fail

— TheMatLee (@MatLee) June 18, 2013

@FGW You havent even updated on here to state the 7:28 from #swansea is cancelled "due to staffing issues", aka- someone hasnt turned up!

— Craig Lawton (@CJRLawton) June 18, 2013

@samonthetrain Hi Sam. Sorry for crowding caused by this. Normal train not available due to member of traincrew being unavailable. -Ollie

— First Great Western (@FGW) February 25, 2013

Thanks @FGW for reminding me why I don't do trains #WHEREISTHEDRIVER

— Rhys Butcher (@rhysnbutcher) June 14, 2013

My @FGW train 17 mins late due to 'waiting for a train crew member'. First Great Western: We can't be arsed to go to work so why should you?

— Alex Chick (@alex_eurosport) June 13, 2013

http://twitter.com/JackGrounds92/status/343764925790949377

@FGW Why did the train leave the depot late? Staff missing again? You guys have a big problem and seem you can't solve it!

— Carlos Fernandez (@villademor) June 9, 2013

And the latest joke from @FGW is.. They are delayed as they do not have enough train crew!!! Once again i ask why they keep raising fares??

— Richard Cropley (@Richcropley15) May 22, 2013

@FGW you're a shambles but this is truly incredible: platform lady enters carriage "we can't leave yet. No one has seen a driver." @fgwkmc

— Moj Taylor (@mojtaylor) June 28, 2013

@FGW at Paddington. We're not moving, 5 mins late now, have no driver but train engine is running? Has your driver gone to Glasto? @fgwkmc

— Moj Taylor (@mojtaylor) June 28, 2013

@FGW love hearing that a train has been cancelled due to 'a member of train crew being unavailable'. #YouMakeEnoughToHireEnoughStaff!

— scott reece (@scottiereeceo) March 7, 2013

Would like to thank FGW for providing my train with a driver. Oh, you haven't. Can I drive instead, how hard can it be? Go. Stop. That's it!

— Rolf Rumley (@OfficialFLTLR) May 21, 2013

@davidhowey Hi Dave. Really sorry for this cancellation. Due to a member of traincrew being unavailable. -Ollie

— First Great Western (@FGW) February 28, 2013

http://twitter.com/little_suse/status/307185260158922753

@rscurr It's all about cost I'm afraid. We could have two drivers sat around at Reading all day getting paid for doing nothing.John R

— First Great Western (@FGW) July 4, 2013

A fair point. But perhaps having 1 driver would be a start? Or ensuring there is enough standby? Contingency really does not exist in the First Great Western Rules Of Engagement.

@hayleyshon We do have a spare bank of drivers that we can call upon in this type of situation but they are being utilised elsewhere. Tara

— First Great Western (@FGW) June 23, 2013

Oh. Well that’s consistent. We think?