AS South West Trains and the RMT enter into verbal battle in a bid to resolve the rail dispute, a plea has gone out from a Bentley commuter for both sides to remember the passengers who pay their wages.

While not wishing to be identified, the Alton Line UsersÕ Association (ALUA) member has written to the RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers), with a copy to SWT, asking negotiators to bear in mind Òthose whose livelihoods and mental health depend on a reliable train serviceÓ.

In stating that, in his opinion, the dispute has now Ògone too farÓ, he points out that because of the strike action he, for one, will be making less use of the railway - a move which will lose SWT revenue. He warns RMT workers: ÒAs a result SWT will have less funds to meet your aspirations.Ó

It is a sentiment echoed by ALUA chairman Chris Campbell, who has been led to believe that SWT has lost around £9m over the six strike days held to date.

Mr Campbell has welcomed the RMT unionÕs decision to call off this weekÕs strikes and enter into dialogue with SWT, being fearful of the consequences of prolonged action.

ÒSWT had to pay fines last year of £15.8m to the Strategic Rail Authority for not running on time and to destination, which is the highest amount conceivable,Ó he pointed out.

There would, however, appear to be some light at the end of the tunnel. As from Monday, February 18, it has been confirmed that SWT will be introducing changes which should improve the evening timetable for Alton and Bentley commuters.

According to Mr Campbell, following negotiations between ALUA, the Rail Passengers Committee for South England and SWT, and despite the current dispute, a six-person full-time team of SWT managers has been working on ÔTaskforce PhoenixÕ, which has looked at the Alton line and at the problems experienced with the 17.48 Waterloo to Alton rush-hour service in particular.

It has been found that very tight turn-round times for link trains at Alton, and the coupling up of an eight-car attachment at Farnham, have resulted in delays in both the 17.18 and 17.48 services from Waterloo.

They have also at times led to passengers being turned off afternoon services short of destination with trains being returned to Waterloo in order to meet rush-hour deadlines.

The intention now is to run an empty 12-coach train to Alton where it will form the 16.28 service arriving in Waterloo in time to provide the 17.48 commuter service back down the line to Alton.

It is hoped the introduction of this train will take the strain off link trains trying to keep to tight schedules.

ÒIt should improve the situation no end,Ó said Mr Campbell who believes SWT has done Òextremely wellÓ to even consider altering the timetable bearing in mind the current problems and ahead of other timetable changes which are expected once the franchise agreement has been signed later in the year.

In the meantime local passengers are still experiencing problems with over-crowding on the new 458 Juniper trains, with four coach trains only being run through from Farnham to Bentley and Alton due to a short-fall in platform length.

According to Mr Campbell, while work is currently going on at Bentley Station it is to do with repositioning of the signals to cater for a future platform extension which will not take place until the new 20-year franchise is confirmed.

Likewise, plans to extend the platform at Alton have also been delayed. Although Alton could take an eigh- coach train, Bentley can only take four.

SWT has confirmed that there is no selective door opening on the Junipers and no corridor connection between sets of four coaches, so passengers for Alton and Bentley are forced to squash into four coaches from Farnham.