ATOC proposes expansions to rail network

The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) has issued a report ‘Connecting Communities – Expanding Access to the Rail Network’, which proposes the reopening for passenger services of five railway lines in South West England. ATOC states that it is proposing schemes that can be delivered relatively quickly, have a positive business case and meet known travel needs (based on where people live and where they want to travel to). The five proposed new passenger services for South West England are:-

1. Barnstaple – Bideford
2. Brixham – Paignton
3. Frome – Radstock
4. Parson Street – Portishead
5. Thornbury - Yate

Support for a shared taxi pilot in rural shire county

The Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) has launched a campaign in support of the proposals made last year by the Commission for Integrated Transport (CfIT) for the Department for Transport (DfT) to fund a large scale shared taxi project ‘TaxiPlus’ for a period of seven years – the CfIT and the CRC consider that the provision of shared taxis is a practical affordable solution to the increasing isolation of many rural residents. The CfIT originally proposed that the large scale pilot should be undertaken in one of the new unitary councils in South West England, Cornwall or Wiltshire.

South West Trains bids revealed

A response to a Freedom of Information request to the Department for Transport (DfT) has revealed that Stagecoach paid five hundred and fifty-five million pounds more than the next highest bidder for the existing ten year South West Trains franchise. Stagecoach is committed to paying the DfT one thousand, one hundred and ninety-one million pounds during the ten year franchise term – the three other bids were for six hundred and thirty-six million pounds, five hundred and thirteen million pounds and five hundred and one million pounds. The other three bids were received from Arriva, FirstGroup and the National Express/MTR consortium.

CrossCountry launches television advertising campaign

CrossCountry, the train operator owned by Arriva, is to launch its first television advertising campaign on ITV and Channel Four with the objective of getting people out of cars and on to the company’s trains. The advertising campaign, created by McCann Erickson, will be supported by print and radio media specifically targeted at students and travellers aged fifty-five or over.

Bristol launches public consultation on service changes

First Bristol has launched a public consultation on proposed changes to services 8/8A/9/9A (Temple Meads – Clifton/Redland) and to services 24/25 (Ashton Vale – Lockleaze) – full details are available on the company’s website (‘www.firstbristol.com/ukbus/southwest/bristol’) and comments are required by 30 June.

Royal Albert Bridge walk

A walk across the Royal Albert Bridge, across the River Tamar, has been organised by Network Rail and the Saltash Rail Users Group to celebrate the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the opening – the walk will be held on Sunday 21 June and is limited to five hundred and fifty participants (full details are available on the website ‘www.royalalbertbridge.co.uk’).

And finally,

The most expensive rail fare in Great Britain is a first class open return from Gunnislake to Thurso or Wick which costs nine hundred and fifty-two pounds! The first class open return from Plymouth to Thurso or Wick costs eight hundred and forty-four pounds, so customers are been asked to pay one hundred and eight pounds for a return journey on the standard class only Tamar Valley Line (single fare between Gunnislake and Plymouth is five pounds and fifty pence)!