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8
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All across the Great Western territory / Fare's Fair / Re: senior railcard
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on: January 08, 2025, 07:48:07
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I've recently had the misfortune to become old enough to qualify for one of these, and have been making use of it. I had been looking forward to being challenged at the ticket barriers and on board, supporting my belief that I don't look anything like old enough to have one  But so far that hasn't happened. Phew - it's ok, just been asked to show it (on the Paddington-Weston) |
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11
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All across the Great Western territory / Fare's Fair / senior railcard
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on: January 06, 2025, 15:49:41
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I've recently had the misfortune to become old enough to qualify for one of these, and have been making use of it. I had been looking forward to being challenged at the ticket barriers and on board, supporting my belief that I don't look anything like old enough to have one But so far that hasn't happened. I've heard guards ask for young persons to show their 16-25 card; is it assumed that seniors are honest? And in fact do ticket barriers give any indication that a ticket has been purchased using a senior railcard? I haven't heard anything out of the ordinary when I pass through. |
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12
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Journey by Journey / TransWilts line / Re: Rail Replacement bus - OK, but I prefer the train.
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on: January 06, 2025, 13:27:27
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Here is the official set of connections from Melksham to Bristol Temple Meads once the trains are running again
Onto that official timing I have added in red:
Yes, thanks - those look like the pre-engineering work times. I've been commuting between Melksham and Bristol by train (mostly) for over 5 years now. The 06:32 used to run a couple of minutes later and just failed to connect at Trowbridge.
Well... it was possible if both trains were on time, even with the pedestrian bridge crossing; I managed it a few times (although the 07:21 is my usual) The journey is now shorter, giving you a 20 minute gain into Bristol.
Yep, although it means leaving the house 45 mins earlier so I don't do it often. |
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13
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Journey by Journey / TransWilts line / Re: Rail Replacement bus - OK, but I prefer the train.
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on: January 06, 2025, 11:30:35
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I note that the bus at 06:50 these weeks is half an hour earlier from Melksham than the normal 07:21 train ... that's an extra 30 minutes on your day.
Yes - I meant to mention that, and it is definitely a drawback. But I'm an early bird, and would be very happy (and surprised ) if the 07:21 train was brought forward enough to make catching the 07:11 at Chippenham reasonably likely, or at least make the 07:34 a safe bet instead of what is currently an outside chance (the official connection is the 08:09). |
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14
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Journey by Journey / TransWilts line / Re: Rail Replacement bus - OK, but I prefer the train.
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on: January 06, 2025, 08:59:48
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I thought I'd try the replacement Melksham-Chippenham 0650 bus this morning instead of the Faresaver 271 bus service. And I'm converted It was a couple of minutes late, and made an unscheduled stop shortly after turning onto the A350 to let out the couple of lads who had thought they were going to Trowbridge (scheduled for 0701) But it still got to Chippenham over 5 minutes early, which meant I could catch the 0711 Penzance service instead of the 0734 Weston I was expecting to wait for (and would normally catch, if lucky). And the nice and comfy Beeline coach was virtually empty, unlike the packed 271. Any chance the engineering work will overrun? |
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15
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Journey by Journey / TransWilts line / Re: Rail replacement advise - Melksham - until 23rd January 2025
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on: January 03, 2025, 13:45:30
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BTW▸ I also asked Faresaver about the possibility of using one of their double deckers for the first 271 Melksham-Bath which I've been catching intermittently in my commute to Bristol, instead of the 100% train (or replacement bus) option. The single decker 271 is full before it reaches Bath which puts me off using it, and they do use a double for at least one service (1715 Bath-Melksham). Just got a response from 'a director': It is the case that the number of passengers travelling on this route has increased significantly as a result of the £2 fare cap, which has been running throughout 2024. It is difficult to make enhancements to services based on schemes which are of a short-term nature, such as the £2 fare scheme. This has now increased to £3 for 2025 and we will monitor usage levels over the coming weeks to ascertain if there is scope to increase the frequency of buses between Bath and Devizes.
We use double decks vehicles on certain days, such as when there are events in Bath which lead to increased usage, but again it is difficult to justify expenditure on new double deck vehicles costing £300,000 each, where schemes designed to encourage usage are only short-term schemes. We are encouraging local and central government to provide more concrete long-term funding plans to give operators the confidence to invest in larger vehicles and enhance the frequencies of services.
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