Tag: Severn Beach Line
Tram-trains: Connecting Central Bristol
Bristol Rail Campaign welcomes the news that the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority has received £200 million of funding to develop mass transit for the region. We hope they will recognise that tram-trains could transform Bristol and Bath’s rail network. We strongly believe that a central loop in Bristol could change the existing suburban…
Rail passenger numbers 2024
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has published its official rail passenger numbers for the year 2023/24. They show that many local stations are now used by more people than before COVID-19. Across the UK, there has been an overall rise in passenger journeys of 16%. In our area, the biggest stations (Bristol Temple Meads,…
Zonal fares
Bus and train fares around Bristol and Bath need sorting out. Fares on Severn Beach line are cheaper than other local journeys. Bus fares are, for now, capped. But some local train journeys have much higher fares. We think a system of zonal fares would be fairer, and would encourage more people to use trains…
Penalty Fares on the Severn Beach Line
The Severn Beach Line was for decades a ‘buy on board’ route, where passengers did not need to buy a ticket before getting on their train. This has changed. Passengers boarding without tickets could now get £100 penalty fares. We think GWR should do more to make sure infrequent travellers understand this. Revenue Protection Bristol…
WECA’s Rail Plans
There have been several reports in the press in recent weeks about WECA’s plans to improve rail services around Bristol and Bath. Rail magazine reported on plans to electrify trains between Bristol Parkway and Bristol Temple Meads, while Bristol Live ran stories about potential new stations and more frequent services. These reports follow WECA’s approval…
Portway Park & Ride Station: The first 100 days
Portway Park & Ride Station opened with much fanfare 100 days ago on 1st August 2023. Leading local politicians, GWR officials and the Secretary of State for Transport attended. The event was widely reported on local media. Now that that the dust has settled, we review the new station to see what’s working and what…
Bristol buses
Tim Weekes reflects on a month of bus travel around Bristol, Bath and the West of England using his Birthday Bus pass.
Shirehampton war horse sculpture unveiled
A new sculpture was unveiled on Saturday 16th September in the Daisy Field opposite Shirehampton Station. The War Horse is made entirely of horseshoes. The sculpture is a memorial to the many horses that transferred through Shirehampton Remount depot on their way to the front during World War One. The statue was crafted by Jason…
Portway Park & Ride: Bus or Train?
Portway Park & Ride station is finally open. But after all the excitement of the opening ceremony, one question keeps cropping up: why do we need a train station when there is already a frequent bus service into Bristol? Which is best – bus or train?
Portway Park & Ride Station opens
Portway Park & Ride Station opened to the public on Tuesday 1st August 2023. A few FoSBR members caught the first train to stop there.