Rail watchdog becomes bus passenger champion

Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly has announced that Passenger Focus will widen its remit to take on the new statutory role of bus passenger champion. Passenger Focus has stated that the organisation will shortly start talks with both stakeholders and bus operators to determine how the new role will work in detail. The decision to make Passenger Focus the statutory bus champion must raise doubts about the future of Bus Users UK, which is largely dependent on the bus industry for funding.

Network Rail threatens to cancel projects in the South West

Network Rail has threatened to cancel a number of planned infrastructure improvements unless the Department for Transport provides the company with additional funding or approves extra borrowing. The threat to drop projects is raised in the latest update to the Network Rail strategic business plan which attempts to close the gap between the estimates of the company and of the Office of Rail Regulation of the funding required to meet the performance, safety and capacity targets for the period from 2009 to 2014. Projects facing the axe include track doubling on the route between Oxford and Worcester Shrub Hill via Moreton-in-Marsh and plans to deliver ‘a seven-day railway’.

‘New’ diversionary rail route between Exeter and Plymouth

Jim Steer, a transport consultant, has written a report for the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) suggesting that it might be necessary to reopen the railway line between Bere Alston and Okehampton via Tavistock, in order to provide a diversionary route between Exeter and Plymouth, when trains cannot operate along the seafront at Dawlish due to adverse weather conditions.

First completes acquisition of Truronian

FirstGroup plc has announced the acquisition of Truronian Limited, following clearance from the Office of Fair Trading and completion of ‘due diligence’ – the full text of the OfT approval for the acquisition is available on online.

CrossCountry deploys high speed train sets on summer Saturday services

CrossCountry has announced the deployment of high speed train sets on certain summer Saturday services in 2008. Two nine carriage high speed train sets, with buffet cars, will be hired from National Express East Coast to operate the following services on summer Saturday:-

• 0724hrs Manchester Piccadilly to Newquay/1522hrs Newquay to Manchester Piccadilly (24 and 31 May and 5 July to 30 August)
• 0735hrs Bristol Temple Meads to Paignton/1032hrs Paignton to Newcastle (24 and 31 May and 5 July to 23 August)
• CrossCountry will use two unrefurbished seven carriage high speed train sets, with an at-seat refreshment trolley service, on the following services on summer Saturday from 24 May to 6 September inclusive:-
• 0940hrs Newquay to Newcastle/0941hrs Newcastle to Newquay

New buses for the Exeter – Okehampton corridor

First Devon and Cornwall have announced an order for three new low-floor Enviro 400 double-decker buses for use on service X9 (Bude – Exeter via Okehampton) – Western Greyhound have also announced an order for two new low-floor Enviro 400 double-decker buses for use on service 510 (Exeter – Newquay via Okehampton, Launceston and Wadebridge). Both operators are receiving financial support towards the cost of the new vehicles from Devon County Council.

And finally,

First Great Western are searching for a violin, made in 1698 and valued at £180k, which was left by a customer on the 1218hrs London Paddington to Taunton high speed service on Tuesday 29 January 2008, when he alighted at Bedwyn station.