Severn Beach Line; trains, performance, tickets and usage

[whole diary]

[phile]

What's happened to the replaced 15Xs, will they act as extra depot cover for failed services or will these be used to strengthen other Bristol/Exeter area commuter services?

I think it may have been mentioned that a particular service from A to B could do with being strengthened, I can't remember the location but I think it departs from A at something like 17:36, and is possibly the first service on that route for over 2 hours? As I say I think such a service exists and has possibly been mentioned on this forum before, but I could be wrong!

Three 150/1s destined for Northern in September and which are remaining to help out for the Summer period.   This is the latest that I have heard but anything can happen.   The morning Peaks were 3 Car 150s but not in the evening when they were also required but not available.

[Kempis]

A better journey in this morning, with the 8.16 from Clifton Down arriving at Temple Meads 7 minutes late. The return 18.47 was again 20 minutes late arriving at Clifton Down, though. Does anyone know why the Turbos are, it appears, travelling more slowly than the 150s?

On my return journey, the ex-first-class compartment I travelled in still had antimacassars with 'First Class' embroidered on them, so I asked the guard to confirm that it was declassified. She did, adding that because of the signage I would probably have the compartment to myself. That prediction proved to be correct!

[johnneyw]

I noticed that there were extra staff on the Monday services to advise the drivers. The slowing down at each stop was noticeable. My guess is that that the new stock needs some acclimatizing.

[JayMac]

There were Driver and Guard Managers onboard the services I took.

[Red Squirrel]

Had my first go on the Severn Turbos this morning - they still seem to be having slight timekeeping issues, but otherwise very impressed!

I'll try not be sniffy about the fact that they are 25 years old, or that maybe Bristol (the only place outside the M25 that makes a positive contribution to the exchequer) deserves better - they are a huge improvement on what we had before.

[patch38]

...the only place outside the M25 that makes a positive contribution to the exchequer...

Now that's an interesting fact. What's the background/evidence/rationale, out of interest?

[Red Squirrel]

Google wants to be your friend, but if you're too shy then you could start here:

The buzz around Bristol – the only major English city outside London to make a positive net contribution to the national economy and which boasts the largest silicon chip industry outside Silicon Valley – is palpable.

From The Guardian

This report states it more formally.

[patch38]

I googled "Large" and "Bristol" but although there were lots and lots of results, none seemed to be about the economy... 

[JayMac]

I googled "Large" and "Bristol" but although there were lots and lots of results, none seemed to be about the economy... 

[Richard Fairhurst]

The report says "beyond the south east of England only the Bristol city economy
makes a net contribution to the Exchequer. All other Core City economies are subsidised".

So not exactly "the only place outside the M25" - rather, the only city of an arbitrary size outside the south-east. Core Cities are apparently defined as Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, and Sheffield.

I'd be amazed if Oxford and Cambridge (and their respective hinterlands) didn't make a net contribution, to take two examples. Doesn't alter the fact that Bristol could do with better trains, of course.

[Red Squirrel]

You make a fair point, Mr Fairhurst!:

Cambridge is one of the few cities making a net contribution to the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) Treasury.

From The Case for Cambridge

...and then, a bit later in the same report:

Public transport is inadequate with chronic congestion on the roads

Anyone see a pattern emerging?

[Western Pathfinder]

Not that much happening for me today , so I thought I would have a bit of a jolly,took the revamped Seven Riviera service to Seven Beach from Sea Mills and back again !
Most impressed by the ride and comfort of the class 166, I managed to sit in first class both ways and was not troubled by any other passengers on either of my journeys .
I notice two in the driving compartment on both trips, one who is training to drive and his instructor, according to the guard who himself was new to the job.
One slight gripe,the guard couldn't sell me a ticket on either of my trips today and no ticket machine at the beach or sea mills So GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) IOU £3:00.
As a point of interest when are the Oyster^▸ (Smartcard system used by passengers on Transport for London services) type machines on the platforms coming on line,could anyone shed some light on this for me ? Please.

[JayMac]

No idea when Smartcard are being rolled out on the Severn Beach Line, but here's a picture of one of the readers:

[simonw]

Are there any scheduled plans to increase the frequency of trains on this line? And improve track to allow this?

A service of every 45minutes seems ridiculous to me, surely 15 minutes at peak and 30 minutes at the rest of the day.

[John R]

I believe the intent is to increase it to half hourly once the Filton four tracking is complete.