New Oxford - Bristol Service Starting Sept 14th 2024

[whole diary]

[infoman]

Not all football followers want to be in the pubs,

some may have mobility issues and would welcome the chance to have a no change of trains option.

For those who used the service on Saturday just gone,what was the day return fare Oxford to Bristol.

Asking the question again,

A foot note IF its the same set bringing Oxford fans to Ashton Gate is the same set
could it take the football followers to Parson Street.
So therefore would be cheaper to shunt towards Ashton Halt or go all the way to Weston and  then return?

[grahame]

Not all football followers want to be in the pubs,

some may have mobility issues and would welcome the chance to have a no change of trains option.

... and those with mobility issues might like to go to the pub too!

I was struck at the "Didcot Dance" on Saturday when I returned on the earlier train to watch the 30 people transferring off the local from Oxford onto the Didcot to Bristol express to see them struggling up the stairs - heavy cases, pushchairs and young children, and in once case what I can only guess was a cello.  And some not-so-mobile themselves struggling with the stairs. 

I don't think there's a lift to that platform?    But it is possible to do it on the level (or rather slopes not steps) by going out of the barbered area, around the outside of the station, and entering again at the barrier set which faces towards the western car parks.    I did not take a look at the signage to see how well signposted that option is, nor follow it round to see for myself - so an update from knowledgable members (correcting me as appropriate) would be appreciated.

[grahame]

For those who used the service on Saturday just gone, what was the day return fare Oxford to Bristol.

Off Peak adult day return £32.10 according to real time trains, or £21.15 with a senior railcard. Price with a senior railcard rises to £21.35 for next Saturday.

Asking the question again,

A foot note IF its the same set bringing Oxford fans to Ashton Gate is the same set, could it take the football followers to Parson Street. So therefore would be cheaper to shunt towards Ashton Halt or go all the way to Weston and  then return?

Thought I answered that  - normally same set, I think - though it does shunt to Stoke Gifford for the two hours it's back in the Bristol area.

[didcotdean]

Not all football followers want to be in the pubs,

some may have mobility issues and would welcome the chance to have a no change of trains option.

... and those with mobility issues might like to go to the pub too!

I was struck at the "Didcot Dance" on Saturday when I returned on the earlier train to watch the 30 people transferring off the local from Oxford onto the Didcot to Bristol express to see them struggling up the stairs - heavy cases, pushchairs and young children, and in once case what I can only guess was a cello.  And some not-so-mobile themselves struggling with the stairs. 

I don't think there's a lift to that platform?    But it is possible to do it on the level (or rather slopes not steps) by going out of the barbered area, around the outside of the station, and entering again at the barrier set which faces towards the western car parks.    I did not take a look at the signage to see how well signposted that option is, nor follow it round to see for myself - so an update from knowledgable members (correcting me as appropriate) would be appreciated.

The outside slope to platform 1 is not signposted within the barriered part of the station as far as I am aware. I have directed people that way on occasion. You also often also see people struggling down the stairs with heavy loads from platforms 2-5 as they haven't seen the lift further down. For going up, the lift in the passageway is more obvious.

[TonyK]

Off Peak adult day return £32.10 according to real time trains, or £21.15 with a senior railcard. Price with a senior railcard rises to £21.35 for next Saturday.

What with the winter fuel allowance going, that 20p hike could be an issue.

[ChrisB]

From this week's Oxford Clarion newsletter

The new Oxford–Bristol direct train service got underway on Saturday. GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) are trialling the service until December, but the Clarion understands that an extension to May could happen if loadings are good. GWR is expecting a new fleet of local trains for Cornwall which could free up trains for a regular Oxford–Bristol link.

[grahame]

From this week's Oxford Clarion newsletter

The new Oxford–Bristol direct train service got underway on Saturday. GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) are trialling the service until December, but the Clarion understands that an extension to May could happen if loadings are good. GWR is expecting a new fleet of local trains for Cornwall which could free up trains for a regular Oxford–Bristol link.

Confirmed at WWRUG^» (West Wiltshire Rail Users Group - about) last Wednesday

[anthony215]

From this week's Oxford Clarion newsletter

The new Oxford–Bristol direct train service got underway on Saturday. GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) are trialling the service until December, but the Clarion understands that an extension to May could happen if loadings are good. GWR is expecting a new fleet of local trains for Cornwall which could free up trains for a regular Oxford–Bristol link.

Confirmed at WWRUG^» (West Wiltshire Rail Users Group - about) last Wednesday

Probably the 175s freeing up the IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train)

[grahame]

From this week's Oxford Clarion newsletter

The new Oxford–Bristol direct train service got underway on Saturday. GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) are trialling the service until December, but the Clarion understands that an extension to May could happen if loadings are good. GWR is expecting a new fleet of local trains for Cornwall which could free up trains for a regular Oxford–Bristol link.

Confirmed at WWRUG^» (West Wiltshire Rail Users Group - about) last Wednesday

Probably the 175s freeing up the IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train)

To clarify that confirmation - Bristol -> Oxford may well extend to May.  The new service is not expected to run beyond May because the set will be needed for the summer seaside services.  Separately 175s to replace remaining HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) and also IETs from Cardiff west of Exeter.

[bobm]

Not that it is always accurate but if you look on RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website) for the 18th January 2025 it shows the Oxford services running Saturdays only from 21st December 2024 to 17th May 2025.

[ChrisB]

This was confirmed at the TWSW^» (TravelWatch SouthWest - website) meeting last week - and not only that, but it will continue from Sept 2025 for the season (to May 2026) - still as a trial service though.

[IndustryInsider]

This was confirmed at the TWSW^» (TravelWatch SouthWest - website) meeting last week - and not only that, but it will continue from Sept 2025 for the season (to May 2026) - still as a trial service though.

Hopefully an all day, all week, service can commence from May 2026?  By which time the Class 175 fleet should be fully introduced.

[Noggin]

Note that the Wiltshire Rail Strategic Study mentions this service and how it could become both 2 TPH^▸ (trains per hour) (IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly)) & a means of delivering a service to a new Corsham station.

http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=29351.msg353131#new

[John D]

Thought I would give my experience of using the service (early October).  Travelled from Bradford on Avon (change at Bath), ticket split at Chippenham

Bit of scrum at Bath, reservations not working (train manager said not programmed), our group got scattered finding available seats, handful had to stand.  Rather more standing from Chippenham.  No advertised trolley service either,

The destination displays also displaying Reading.   Apparently since announcing the service in January haven't yet found time to add the route to train computers !

No ticket checks and at at Oxford the exit gates near the footbridge were open so no revenue check on whole outbound journey.

Return train was quieter, but got delayed behind a late crowded 2car turbo on southbound stopping service leaving Oxford, so ran 12-16 minutes late.  Arrived Bath 12 minutes late. Missed booked connection (now just 1 minute to get it) . Had to get next train. Arrived BoA^» (Bradford-on-Avon - next trains) 28 minutes late.  Submitted delay repay but rejected 2 weeks later as booked train was on time, had to appeal pointing out missed connection, then they decided to pay out for 12.5% of 2 of 3 tickets on submitted 3 tickets of groupsave. 

Overall 10/10 for potential free travel on outward train
0/10 for reservations and destination displays
10/10 for train managers announcements
9/10 for journey convenience
0/10 for advertised catering
1/10 for delay repay team

Would love service to be a success, but feel there is too much not working well that would make me happy to use it again. 

[Mark A]

Full and standing from Bath... do you know if there was any special event on please?

Mark