South West Trains reaps financial benefits from fare rise

Stagecoach has reported that, in the forty weeks to the beginning of February 2008, passenger journeys on the South West Trains (SWT) network grew by 6.2 per cent – yet following the substantial fare rises introduced last summer, the ticket revenue of SWT has risen by 14.2 per cent for the same period.

More rolling stock for First Great Western???

The March 2008 edition of Modern Railways reports that ‘First Great Western is to receive five class 150/2 two-carriage units which were transferred to Arriva Trains Wales (ATW) at the termination of the Central Trains franchise on 8 December 2007’ – the magazine reports that the transfer of rolling stock follows the failure of ATW to secure funding for all nine sets transferred to it. Modern Railways claims that the acquisition of this additional rolling stock will enable FGW to form additional three-carriage class 158 trains for the key inter-regional service linking Cardiff Central and Portsmouth Harbour.

First joins TravelWatch SouthWest campaign for a national reimbursement scheme for English concessionary fares

FirstGroup chief executive, Moir Lockhead, has given the company’s full support for the campaign by TravelWatch SouthWest for a national level of reimbursement for the English concessionary fares scheme for elderly and disabled people. National reimbursement rates are already used in both Scotland and Wales.

Public can now use UWE bus services

The University of West of England (UWE) has opened up its U-link bus services to the general public. The bus services link the campuses of the University with Bristol City Centre and have been only used by students and staff since introduction in September 2007. The U-link services, operated by Wessex Connect, are available to the general public until September 2008 as a trial.

First Great Western introduce new ‘JourneyAlert’ facility

First Great Western have today (Monday 25 February) introduced a new ‘JourneyAlert’ facility whereby customers can receive personalised text or email messages relating to their regular train services – customers can register for this service on-line.

Devon transport governance review

Transport governance could be changed in Devon following the decision by Hazel Blears (Communities and Local Government Secretary) to ask the Boundary Commission to advise on the creation of more unitary authorities in Devon - the Commission has also been asked to consider possible changes to the existing boundaries of the unitary councils for Plymouth and Torbay. This review follows the rejection of the bid by Exeter City Council for unitary authority status.

And finally,

First Devon and Cornwall withdrew bus services 385 and 387 (Newquay – Truro via Perranporth) after a last day of operation on 29 December 2007 – the timetables for these two services still appear on the Cornwall County Council Public Transport website!