Bedwyn and Hungerford rail users save a third on travel on 09:39 to Paddington

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Great Western Railway press release:

Bedwyn and Hungerford rail users save a third on travel

Following a request from passengers and a local MP^▸ (Member of Parliament), train operator Great Western Railway has altered a ticket restriction for holders of the Network Railcard.

The alteration will allow Network Railcard users onto the 0939 service from Bedwyn to London Paddington (arr 1056), calling at Hungerford at 0944 and saving a third of the cost of travel.

Hungerford rail user Jane Hearn said: ^It is great news that we will now be able to use our rail cards on the first eligible train, and not have to wait until 1044.^

Previously the rail cards could not be used before 1000. The Network Railcard allows passengers to save a third on Standard travel in the Network Railcard area, subject to terms and conditions.

MP for Newbury Richard Benyon said: ^I am delighted that GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) has listened to the concerns of passengers and rail card can now be used on the 9.44 to London. This will make a big difference to off peak travellers.^

GWR Station Manager Alison Stone said: ^Listening to the views of our customers is important to us, and this simple change will further allow them to take advantage of the good value fares that we offer.^

[bobm]

While welcoming the change for the customers in the Kennet Valley, I wonder when it came into effect?

At a recent GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) event I was talking to a member of their fares team about a possible change elsewhere on their network which is now being considered.  I was told changes could either be made in January, May or September.  So, on that basis, this story is potentially either very old (ie since January) or a bit ahead of itself (ie May).

[Chris from Nailsea]

James Davis, Media Relations Manager at Great Western Railway, sent that e-mail to me at 16:12 this afternoon - I have quoted it verbatim. 

[grahame]

It's showing  (singles) ^18.50 on the 09:39 Bedwyn to London tomorrow with a Network Railcard, and ^28.00 without - the ^28.00 fare being offered both with and without a card on the 08:43 service.  So this is now (and could be old) rather than future.

The 09:39 gets to Paddington at 10:56 (he says, trusting the quote); a single fare from Swindon, with or without a railcard, to arrive at Paddington at about the same time costs ^34.10, from Pewsey ^21.70, and from Salisbury to Waterloo it's ^39.70 (drops to ^26.20 for  London arrivaa at 11:49 or later).

Bedwyn looks like rather a good deal as a railhead - what's parking like at the station there 

[Chris from Nailsea]

Bedwyn looks like rather a good deal as a railhead - what's parking like at the station there 

Oh, don't. 

[grahame]

Bedwyn looks like rather a good deal as a railhead - what's parking like at the station there 

Oh, don't. 

Yes, it's more of a B&R that a P&R^▸ (Park and Ride).  (Bus and ride).  Perhaps under Option 247 the bus should run hourly to Marlborough, Avebury, Calne and Devizes - an explorer route linking the 20, 22, (x)33, 40, 42, 40 and 43 with alternate buses fanning to provide 2 hourly village service.   Need local knowledge there.