FGW are planning to replace the existing help points and Customer Information System (CIS) at Islip and Bicester with a new system. Details are in the following communication from FGW:
“At Islip and Bicester we are removing the current Help Points and CIS and replacing them with a WebCIS unit.
These act as Help Points and will have two buttons – one to contact National Rail and the other for Emergencies.
Additionally the Help Point has a screen that reflects the current train service from its location – as the information on the screen will be fed directly from our new CIS server it will reflect the very latest available information.
That is to say should we replace a train service between Oxford and Bicester and return by bus this will show on the Help Point screen.
Furthermore the new style help points will have the ability to rung up from either a staffed station or the control centre and a broadcast live annoucement made to customers.
The date of install at Islip and Bicester has not been finalised yet but hopefully these Help Points will appear shortly after April.”
FGW have revised their Customer Panel representation and are rolling Islip and Bicester in with 8 other stations, including Oxford. Therefore as from April our representative, Ian East, will cease to be on the Customer Panel.
If anyone is interested in becoming part of the new panel, please contact Ian or leave a message here and we’ll pass on your details. There are 3 evening meetings per year and four first class return rail tickets in return for your input.
Just a reminder that off-peak rail fares are only £2 return from Bicester-Oxford (£1.80 Islip-Oxford). Compared to the bus (X5 is £4.50 Bicester-Oxford) or Park & Ride (at least £2.20 plus petrol costs and the chance of traffic jams on the A34), this represents excellent value for journeys into the centre of Oxford.
Parking is free all day to rail users in the Islip and Bicester Station Road car parks and also Bicester Village (Mon-Fri only bays marked for rail users).