FIRST Capital Connect (FCC) has announced this morning that its services are running to the full published timetable. A statement posted on its website said repairs had been made to trains damaged by ice and snow and first class carriages were reintroduce

FIRST Capital Connect (FCC) has announced this morning that its services are running to the full published timetable.

A statement posted on its website said repairs had been made to trains damaged by ice and snow and first class carriages were reintroduced on Saturday.

But passengers travelling this morning have reported a very different picture.

Paul Kemp-Robertson said both southbound trains due to leave St Albans at 8am were late and that one of them was only formed of four carriages which resulted in extreme overcrowding and one woman fainting.

He said: "I barely had any room to breathe, not helped by the lack of openable windows in the new rolling stock. When the train arrived at St Pancras, a lady who had been squeezed near the doors fainted as soon as she got off. Numerous passengers rushed to her aid, but there wasn't a single member of FCC staff on the platform.

"I went upstairs to seek assistance, only to find three ticket inspectors standing doing nothing. If this is FCC's idea of 'normal service' then the sooner they lose their franchise the better."

Earlier this month, the Herts Advertiser revealed the extent of growing calls for the company to lose its franchise and a petition demanding the action now has nearly 4,500 signatures.

Transport Minister Lord Andrew Adonis told the company last week that it had until the weekend to resume a full service or face the consequences.

How have you found the FCC services this morning? Send your comments to us at hertsad@archant.co.uk