Recent Public Posts - [guest]
Re: Firstgroup's rail division trading 'ahead of expectations' In "Across the West" [360715/30153/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 10:11, 20th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I wonder how much of this "better than expected" financial performance for FirstGroup will be reflected in additional investment into GWR services?
Will customers see any improvements as a result?
Will customers see any improvements as a result?
No private company will invest when there’s no chance of recouping their investment.
And that won’t change when it goes back under public ownership.
Fair point - good news for the shareholders, not so good for the taxpayers!
Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [360714/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 09:54, 20th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Over running engineering works have also done for the first service from Swindon to London Paddington (starts Didcot Parkway) and first westbound service to Bristol and Exeter St Davids (starts Bristol Temple Meads).
Oh dear ... From Swindon to London, there's an 08:00 bus (change Reading) and an 09:40 train ... first train to Westbury now 2 hours after that. Passenger volumes are of course very different, but it's also a reminder of just how serious cancelling even one train on an infrequent service is.
Nearly 4 hours to wait for public transport home to Melksham now if you miss the 17:44 (and on a Sunday, the evening buses from Bath don't run so even those of us in "the know" would struggle)

Urgent bridge repairs in Cardiff area In "London to South Wales" [360713/30170/11] Posted by bradshaw at 09:47, 20th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Just appeared on GWR Journey Check
Cancellations to services between Bristol Temple Meads and Cardiff Central
Due to urgent repairs to a bridge between Bristol Temple Meads and Cardiff Central fewer trains are able to run on some lines.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Customer Advice
Urgent repairs are required to a bridge in the Cardiff area.
As a result of this fewer train services will be able to operate through that area and owing to the reduction in the operational flexiblility there those services which do operate may be subject to further delay and revision. Train services between Bristol Temple Meads and Cardiff Central may terminate and start back from Newport where a change of train will be required to travel to / from Cardiff Central. Additionally, some trains between Bristol Temple Meads and Cardiff Central may not run at all.
GWR ticket holders may use Transport for Wales services in the area at no extra cost but do note that their services will also be severely affected by this incident.
Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause to your journey today.
Due to urgent repairs to a bridge between Bristol Temple Meads and Cardiff Central fewer trains are able to run on some lines.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Customer Advice
Urgent repairs are required to a bridge in the Cardiff area.
As a result of this fewer train services will be able to operate through that area and owing to the reduction in the operational flexiblility there those services which do operate may be subject to further delay and revision. Train services between Bristol Temple Meads and Cardiff Central may terminate and start back from Newport where a change of train will be required to travel to / from Cardiff Central. Additionally, some trains between Bristol Temple Meads and Cardiff Central may not run at all.
GWR ticket holders may use Transport for Wales services in the area at no extra cost but do note that their services will also be severely affected by this incident.
Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause to your journey today.
Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [360712/29726/18] Posted by bobm at 09:24, 20th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Over running engineering works have also done for the first service from Swindon to London Paddington (starts Didcot Parkway) and first westbound service to Bristol and Exeter St Davids (starts Bristol Temple Meads).
Re: Across the South West over Easter - trains in pictures In "Across the West" [360711/30166/26] Posted by a-driver at 09:09, 20th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
8. St Budeaux Ferry Road
Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [360710/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 08:58, 20th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Oh goodie - 4 out of 14 (28% cancellation rate) not calling at Melksham on what's probably going to be the first really busy Sunday of the year. Just taken a look at the two morning cancellations and there's nothing helpful there about buses or taxis - just an offer to give you your money back ...
Re: Firstgroup's rail division trading 'ahead of expectations' In "Across the West" [360709/30153/26] Posted by a-driver at 08:57, 20th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I wonder how much of this "better than expected" financial performance for FirstGroup will be reflected in additional investment into GWR services?
Will customers see any improvements as a result?
Will customers see any improvements as a result?
No private company will invest when there’s no chance of recouping their investment.
And that won’t change when it goes back under public ownership.
Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [360708/29726/18] Posted by TaplowGreen at 08:44, 20th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
08:06 Warminster to Swindon due 09:02
08:06 Warminster to Swindon due 09:02 was terminated at Westbury.
It will no longer call at Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham and Swindon.
This is due to engineering works not being finished on time.
09:08 Swindon to Westbury due 09:49
09:08 Swindon to Westbury due 09:49 will be cancelled.
This is due to engineering works not being finished on time.
Re: Firstgroup's rail division trading 'ahead of expectations' In "Across the West" [360707/30153/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 08:32, 20th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I wonder how much of this "better than expected" financial performance for FirstGroup will be reflected in additional investment into GWR services?
Will customers see any improvements as a result?
(As opposed for example to "better than expected" returns for shareholders and senior managers?)
Re: Fortuitous connections ... and an App which fails to offer the best journey In "Smoke and Mirrors" [360706/30169/3] Posted by grahame at 06:59, 20th April 2025 Already liked by froome, Mark A | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Bristol temple meads has a minimum connection time of 10 mins according to national rail website.
Booking systems can not sell an itinerary less than this.
Booking systems can not sell an itinerary less than this.
Yes, understood. Why I raise this ...
a) The 14:00 Cardiff - Penzance, change into the Portsmouth train at Temple Meads, change into the Swindon train at Trowbridge WERE all running. And with in excess of the minimum connection time. Why did the App not offer this?
b) The Interrail itinerary system does offer short transfers with a warning of short transfers - I have just pulled up an example of 8 minutes in Hamburg Hbf - with an easy way to avoid such changes and/or to replan along the way. I am suggesting that this is a good example with the National Rail system could learn from.
Re: Fortuitous connections ... and an App which fails to offer the best journey In "Smoke and Mirrors" [360705/30169/3] Posted by LiskeardRich at 05:40, 20th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Bristol temple meads has a minimum connection time of 10 mins according to national rail website.
Booking systems can not sell an itinerary less than this.
Re: Across the South West over Easter - trains in pictures In "Across the West" [360704/30166/26] Posted by grahame at 05:18, 20th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Correct so far:
0 - Bath Spa - Timmer
2 - Oldfield Park - PhilWakely
3 - Truro - old original
4 - Plym Bridge Platform - johnneyw
5 - Cattewater Branch - Chris from Nailsea and Cattewater Junction
7 - approacing Kingswear - GBM
10 - Southampton Central - Rob T
11 - Thornford - bradshaw
A couple of the others may be easy for some of you Janners here ...
Fortuitous connections ... and an App which fails to offer the best journey In "Smoke and Mirrors" [360703/30169/3] Posted by grahame at 05:05, 20th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
A day of fortuitous connections ...
From home on the 08:02, target destination Chepstow, change at Swindon and Newport and arrive there according to the planner at 10:15 but actual arrival 09:44 due to a quick switch between trains at Newport.
Home from Cardiff Central, where I arrived at about 13:45 to find ... recommended trains at 14:30 (Melksham 16:38) showing as cancelled on the GWR timetable and ticket App, with next service not until 16:23 with a Melksham arrival of 18:00. Blow that for a lark ... I caught the 14:00 Penzance train, changed (9 minutes) at Bristol Temple Meads, changed Chippenham (5 minute) and arrived Melksham 15:39
The homeward offering from the App was especially disappointing. It was the 14:30 from Cardiff that was cancelled as far as Bristol and I should have been offered the 14:00 Penzance train in its place, change at Bristol and Trowbridge and arrive Melksham 16:38.
My outward gain of 30 minutes was pure luck - no reasonable way that the app should or could have offered it. The return offering was an abject failure.

* There is no point in cluttering the default screen with services that have already departed
* When a train is cancelled, the App should offer alternative which are still running and fits within the normal interchange criteria
* My 9 minutes from Platform 4 to Platform 13 at Bristol Temple Meads was a change from one extreme of the station to the other, but was still achieved with around 4 or 5 minutes to spare - I joined quite a flow of people headed out to the far side through the subway and it was far from a rush. My incoming train WAS on time - indeed it has sat waiting time at Filton Abbey Wood - sufficient of a station dwell for the train manager to explain it in an announcement. I appreciate that this 9 minute connection would have been tight had I been reliant on passenger assistance, but that's the thorny question as to whether the app should only offer options that will work if that's needed. I like the Interrail App here - which does give you "short transfer"s and suggests that you only use those options if you are sure of yourself.
Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [360702/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 04:33, 20th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
11:41 Swindon to Weymouth due 13:53
11:41 Swindon to Weymouth due 13:53 will be terminated at Westbury.
It will no longer call at Bruton, Castle Cary, Yeovil Pen Mill, Thornford, Yetminster, Chetnole, Maiden Newton, Dorchester West, Upwey and Weymouth.
This is due to a shortage of train crew
11:41 Swindon to Weymouth due 13:53 will be terminated at Westbury.
It will no longer call at Bruton, Castle Cary, Yeovil Pen Mill, Thornford, Yetminster, Chetnole, Maiden Newton, Dorchester West, Upwey and Weymouth.
This is due to a shortage of train crew
18:11 Castle Cary to Swindon due 19:33
18:11 Castle Cary to Swindon due 19:33 will be terminated at Westbury.
It will no longer call at Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham and Swindon.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
18:11 Castle Cary to Swindon due 19:33 will be terminated at Westbury.
It will no longer call at Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham and Swindon.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
19:43 Swindon to Westbury due 20:25
19:43 Swindon to Westbury due 20:25 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
19:43 Swindon to Westbury due 20:25 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Stay-at-home Sunday for me then ... on an 8 out of 15 FOSW ticket and Sundays have the advantage of the early start being allowed, but I'me replanning for this to be a day of rest. Yes, I know that evening round trip might get re-instated but there's no comfortable "Plan B" for Sunday evenings
[snip]
Damage already done - day planned and planned without a return to Melksham on those trains, comment made in public at https://www.passenger.chat/t30162.html and onto Facebook.
Damage already done - day planned and planned without a return to Melksham on those trains, comment made in public at https://www.passenger.chat/t30162.html and onto Facebook.
Re: FOSS and FOSW validity - some quirks In "Fare's Fair" [360701/30127/4] Posted by froome at 04:23, 20th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I don't know - but is a figure I was quoted when I raised a similar query a few years ago
But strangely, the tickets do work in a minority of barriers. When I have had FOSS tickets, I have found that each time at least a couple of different stations have had barriers which accepted them quite happily.
Eyesight rules for motorists unsafe, says coroner In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [360700/30168/51] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:50, 19th April 2025 Already liked by froome | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
From the BBC:
An inquest into the deaths of four people killed by drivers with failing eyesight has found enforcement of visual legal standards for motorists is "ineffective and unsafe".
HM Senior Coroner for Lancashire Dr James Adeley has sent a report to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander to say action should be taken to prevent future deaths. He labelled the licensing system as the "laxest in Europe" as he pointed out the UK was one of only three countries to rely upon self-reporting of visual conditions affecting the ability to drive.
A source close to the transport secretary said the government accepted the rules "need to be reassessed". They added: "We are not ruling anything out regarding changes to eyesight requirements for driving. This will be considered along with wider efforts to improve safety as part of the government's road safety strategy."
It is thought the strategy could be published by the end of the year, after which ministers would consult on any proposed changes.
Dr Adeley said it was concerning that the UK was the only European country to issue licences without any visual checks for a continuous period up to the age of 70. He made the remarks at the inquests of Marie Cunningham, 79, Grace Foulds, 85, Peter Westwell, 80, and Anne Ferguson, 75, held earlier at Preston Coroner's Court.
Friends Mrs Cunningham and Mrs Foulds were struck by Glyn Jones, 68, in his Audi A3 as they crossed the road in Southport, Merseyside, on 30 November 2021. Jones was aware for some years before the collision that his sight was insufficient to meet the minimum requirement to drive a car but failed to declare it to the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). When he was jailed for seven years and four months, his sentencing hearing was told he could not even see his steering wheel clearly.
Mr Westwell was hit by Neil Pemberton, 81, as he crossed the road in Langho, near Blackburn, on 17 March 2022. Pemberton, who was jailed for 32 months, had a long history of eye disease and was informed on several occasions by different clinicians that he should not drive, the inquest heard. He also repeatedly failed to declare his sight deficit on multiple licence applications to the DVLA.
Mrs Ferguson died when she was struck by a van driven by Vernon Law, 72, in Whitworth, Rochdale, on 11 July 2023. A month before Law was told he had cataracts in both eyes but he lied to an optometrist that he did not drive. Law, who was jailed for four years, knew he had problems with his eyes for years before the collision but his sight loss could easily have been corrected. Law also failed to declare his sight issues on multiple licence applications to the DVLA, the inquest at County Hall heard.
Following the inquests, the family of Mrs Cunningham said: "Our mum, and her friend, were killed by the selfish, reckless actions of Glyn Jones. His decision to put his own convenience before the law, before ethics, before human lives, cost our family everything. This tragedy was not inevitable. It was entirely avoidable. And we are left grappling with the painful truth that if this man had acted responsibly our mum would still be with us."
Terry Wilcox, of Hudgell Solicitors, representing the families of Mrs Cunningham, Mrs Foulds and Mr Westwell, said loop holes that are available for drivers who want to evade reporting on their eyesight are "jaw-dropping". He said: "People ignore what they are told when it doesn't suit their lifestyle, and in reality there is nothing in place to stop selfish people putting others at risk by getting back behind the wheel. We presently have a system under which the DVLA relies upon drivers to self-report, hand over their licence and stop driving when they've been told by a qualified healthcare professional that their eyesight is not to the required standard. This inquest has shown that simply doesn't happen."
Dr Adeley said: "The four fatalities shared the same feature that the driver's sight was well below the standard required to drive a car. The current system for 'ensuring' drivers meet the visual legal standards is ineffective, unsafe and unfit to meet the needs of society as evidenced by the deaths of Marie Cunningham, Grace Foulds, Anne Ferguson and Peter Westwell where the DVLA continued to provide licences to drivers who had failed to meet the legal sight requirements."
The Department for Transport said it would consider the coroner's report once received. A spokesperson added: "The NHS recommends adults should have their eyes tested every two years and drivers are legally required to inform the DVLA if they have a condition which affects their eyesight. We are committed to improving road safety and continue to explore ways to achieve this."
Rob Heard, chairman of the Older Drivers' Forum, warned that more people would die if changes were not made soon. He called for it to be made compulsory for opticians and GPs to check a person's eyesight once they turn 70, and inform the DVLA via an online system without the "worry of breaching patient confidentiality". "A car is a lethal weapon and we need to be fully in control and safe on the roads to be able to control it," he said.
Mr Wilcox said there is currently no infrastructure for IT which would allow a sight test to be uploaded to the DVLA. "You can be told the car is unsafe but a driver is never told they are unsafe and the DVLA aren't informed - the driver is unsafe," he said. "Drivers are the solution and yet we don't appear to have anything in place to solve the problem."
HM Senior Coroner for Lancashire Dr James Adeley has sent a report to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander to say action should be taken to prevent future deaths. He labelled the licensing system as the "laxest in Europe" as he pointed out the UK was one of only three countries to rely upon self-reporting of visual conditions affecting the ability to drive.
A source close to the transport secretary said the government accepted the rules "need to be reassessed". They added: "We are not ruling anything out regarding changes to eyesight requirements for driving. This will be considered along with wider efforts to improve safety as part of the government's road safety strategy."
It is thought the strategy could be published by the end of the year, after which ministers would consult on any proposed changes.
Dr Adeley said it was concerning that the UK was the only European country to issue licences without any visual checks for a continuous period up to the age of 70. He made the remarks at the inquests of Marie Cunningham, 79, Grace Foulds, 85, Peter Westwell, 80, and Anne Ferguson, 75, held earlier at Preston Coroner's Court.
Friends Mrs Cunningham and Mrs Foulds were struck by Glyn Jones, 68, in his Audi A3 as they crossed the road in Southport, Merseyside, on 30 November 2021. Jones was aware for some years before the collision that his sight was insufficient to meet the minimum requirement to drive a car but failed to declare it to the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). When he was jailed for seven years and four months, his sentencing hearing was told he could not even see his steering wheel clearly.
Mr Westwell was hit by Neil Pemberton, 81, as he crossed the road in Langho, near Blackburn, on 17 March 2022. Pemberton, who was jailed for 32 months, had a long history of eye disease and was informed on several occasions by different clinicians that he should not drive, the inquest heard. He also repeatedly failed to declare his sight deficit on multiple licence applications to the DVLA.
Mrs Ferguson died when she was struck by a van driven by Vernon Law, 72, in Whitworth, Rochdale, on 11 July 2023. A month before Law was told he had cataracts in both eyes but he lied to an optometrist that he did not drive. Law, who was jailed for four years, knew he had problems with his eyes for years before the collision but his sight loss could easily have been corrected. Law also failed to declare his sight issues on multiple licence applications to the DVLA, the inquest at County Hall heard.
Following the inquests, the family of Mrs Cunningham said: "Our mum, and her friend, were killed by the selfish, reckless actions of Glyn Jones. His decision to put his own convenience before the law, before ethics, before human lives, cost our family everything. This tragedy was not inevitable. It was entirely avoidable. And we are left grappling with the painful truth that if this man had acted responsibly our mum would still be with us."
Terry Wilcox, of Hudgell Solicitors, representing the families of Mrs Cunningham, Mrs Foulds and Mr Westwell, said loop holes that are available for drivers who want to evade reporting on their eyesight are "jaw-dropping". He said: "People ignore what they are told when it doesn't suit their lifestyle, and in reality there is nothing in place to stop selfish people putting others at risk by getting back behind the wheel. We presently have a system under which the DVLA relies upon drivers to self-report, hand over their licence and stop driving when they've been told by a qualified healthcare professional that their eyesight is not to the required standard. This inquest has shown that simply doesn't happen."
Dr Adeley said: "The four fatalities shared the same feature that the driver's sight was well below the standard required to drive a car. The current system for 'ensuring' drivers meet the visual legal standards is ineffective, unsafe and unfit to meet the needs of society as evidenced by the deaths of Marie Cunningham, Grace Foulds, Anne Ferguson and Peter Westwell where the DVLA continued to provide licences to drivers who had failed to meet the legal sight requirements."
The Department for Transport said it would consider the coroner's report once received. A spokesperson added: "The NHS recommends adults should have their eyes tested every two years and drivers are legally required to inform the DVLA if they have a condition which affects their eyesight. We are committed to improving road safety and continue to explore ways to achieve this."
Rob Heard, chairman of the Older Drivers' Forum, warned that more people would die if changes were not made soon. He called for it to be made compulsory for opticians and GPs to check a person's eyesight once they turn 70, and inform the DVLA via an online system without the "worry of breaching patient confidentiality". "A car is a lethal weapon and we need to be fully in control and safe on the roads to be able to control it," he said.
Mr Wilcox said there is currently no infrastructure for IT which would allow a sight test to be uploaded to the DVLA. "You can be told the car is unsafe but a driver is never told they are unsafe and the DVLA aren't informed - the driver is unsafe," he said. "Drivers are the solution and yet we don't appear to have anything in place to solve the problem."
Re: Across the South West over Easter - trains in pictures In "Across the West" [360699/30166/26] Posted by PhilWakely at 22:28, 19th April 2025 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2. Oldfield Park
From the BBC:

A lifeboat station is marking its 10-year anniversary – and hundreds of successful operations.
Volunteers at the Royal National Lifeboat Institution station in Portishead, North Somerset, have been called out 396 times since it opened in 2015. They have so far assisted 347 people, saving 14 lives and rescuing 17 dogs.
The station serves the Bristol Channel, which has the second highest tidal range in the world, making conditions hazardous for volunteers. Tom Mansell, regional operations lead, said: "I am extremely grateful for the dedication and professionalism they show on a daily basis."
The RNLI station was preceded by the Portishead Lifeboat Trust, which operated from Sugar Loaf Beach as an independent rescue service for nearly 20 years.
The trust's station was an old shipping container, with basic facilities, which belonged to the Portishead Yacht and Sailing Club.

In 2012, it was agreed that a new location would be secured and the RNLI would then take over operations. The new station was declared operational on 24 April 2015.

Ian Lazenby, a volunteer helm, said witnessing the transition was "really exciting". He said the former facility was "damp and mouldy" but the new station was much improved, with toilets, kettles, seats and central heating.
The RNLI takeover also resulted in additional funding for the station, better equipment and more efficient operations.
A celebration to mark the 10-year anniversary will be held on 18 May to coincide with an open day at the station. The day will include demonstrations and a boat launch, with other local emergency services joining in.
"You get a lot from the teamwork, you get a lot from the training, but genuinely for me – in the 20 years I've been doing it – it's the satisfaction of knowing if somebody's in trouble, we'll go and help them," Mr Lazenby said. "Anything you do when you're helping others is hugely satisfying; to be able to do that is a real privilege."
Re: Across the South West over Easter - trains in pictures In "Across the West" [360697/30166/26] Posted by RobT at 19:26, 19th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
10. Southampton Central
Re: Across the South West over Easter - trains in pictures In "Across the West" [360696/30166/26] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:06, 19th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
No, I couldn't identify any 'Tauntons' in that original post. Mind you, that doesn't mean much, with my own appalling record of failing to spot any Taunton pictures.

Nevertheless, picture 6 is rather scary.

Re: Across the South West over Easter - trains in pictures In "Across the West" [360695/30166/26] Posted by grahame at 18:46, 19th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
OK, if no-one else has done it - I'll nominate no. 6 as the Melksham one - and let someone else pick the Taunton one (if it's there!).
This, sorry, is not a traditional quiz. Neither Taunton nor Melksham is present ....
Re: Too young to travel on that ticket? In "Fare's Fair" [360694/30155/4] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:29, 19th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
An update, from the BBC:
Inspector wrong to say baby wasn't child - mayor
The mayor of Greater Manchester has apologised to a mother who was threatened with a fine over a family tram ticket because her baby and toddler were considered "too young" to be classed as children.
Cassie from Droylsden in Tameside said she was shocked when a ticket inspector said her £7.10 off-peak family day travel card was invalid because under-fives travel for free, and did not count as children.
Andy Burnham told BBC Radio Manchester the mother-of-two had "done everything right", adding he was "sorry this was your experience". He said Transport for Greater Manchester (TFGM) had since clarified the inspector had wrongly interpreted the rules.
Family tram tickets can be used by a group of one to three children accompanied by one or two adults travelling together, and there is no minimum age requirement for the children.
Cassie had been travelling with her husband and two children, both under five, to a church service in Manchester city centre on the Metrolink tram service.
The inspector told the couple they should have each purchased a £4.30 adult day ticket instead.
TFGM previously said that all inspectors have been made aware that there is no minimum age for children travelling on a family ticket.
Burnham said he was sure the transport operator would be "making things right" for Cassie. He said: "To be fair to our inspectors out there, I've thrown a lot of change at our system in a short space of time, and you know there will be bits and bobs of things that need to be fixed. And the point of having control of the Bee Network is when people do raise things we'll look at them honestly and fix them as quick as we can."
The mayor of Greater Manchester has apologised to a mother who was threatened with a fine over a family tram ticket because her baby and toddler were considered "too young" to be classed as children.
Cassie from Droylsden in Tameside said she was shocked when a ticket inspector said her £7.10 off-peak family day travel card was invalid because under-fives travel for free, and did not count as children.
Andy Burnham told BBC Radio Manchester the mother-of-two had "done everything right", adding he was "sorry this was your experience". He said Transport for Greater Manchester (TFGM) had since clarified the inspector had wrongly interpreted the rules.
Family tram tickets can be used by a group of one to three children accompanied by one or two adults travelling together, and there is no minimum age requirement for the children.
Cassie had been travelling with her husband and two children, both under five, to a church service in Manchester city centre on the Metrolink tram service.
The inspector told the couple they should have each purchased a £4.30 adult day ticket instead.
TFGM previously said that all inspectors have been made aware that there is no minimum age for children travelling on a family ticket.
Burnham said he was sure the transport operator would be "making things right" for Cassie. He said: "To be fair to our inspectors out there, I've thrown a lot of change at our system in a short space of time, and you know there will be bits and bobs of things that need to be fixed. And the point of having control of the Bee Network is when people do raise things we'll look at them honestly and fix them as quick as we can."
Re: Across the South West over Easter - trains in pictures In "Across the West" [360693/30166/26] Posted by eightonedee at 17:18, 19th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
OK, if no-one else has done it - I'll nominate no. 6 as the Melksham one - and let someone else pick the Taunton one (if it's there!).
Re: Across the South West over Easter - trains in pictures In "Across the West" [360692/30166/26] Posted by Southernman at 14:52, 19th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
In 1985 there were embryonic plans for a platform on the WR lines near where they crossed. The walk from there passed the signal box along live lines meant it progressed no further. I wrote an article mentioning it in Modern Railways for March 1988.
If such a link were to go ahead now I believe that it would use the S to W curve, earthworks for which can still be seen. Part of the Clifton Maybank extension they were never used. Use could be also made of the N to W curve of the 1860s broad gauge goods link which led to the transfer shed, now the Yeovil Railway Centre. The old down platform might serve this but alternative arrangements will be need for the heritage centre.
If such a link were to go ahead now I believe that it would use the S to W curve, earthworks for which can still be seen. Part of the Clifton Maybank extension they were never used. Use could be also made of the N to W curve of the 1860s broad gauge goods link which led to the transfer shed, now the Yeovil Railway Centre. The old down platform might serve this but alternative arrangements will be need for the heritage centre.
There are already West Country connections at Castle Cary for passengers from Dorchester/Weymouth. Other alternatives might involve Salisbury terminators (aspiration is to expand to hourly) continuing to Yeovil Pen Mill from Yeovil Junction. When/if Langport Station is ever reopened a round service to/from Exeter St Davids via the Yeovil Stations stopping at all stations might become viable. That would directly link Yeovil and Taunton the two largest towns in Somerset and provide all the links anyone would wish for. The link mentioned was costed at £90M around 5 years ago not including station alterations. That's not going to be at the top of any 'value for money' scheme and has been discounted in the latest Network Rail plans.
Re: Across the South West over Easter - trains in pictures In "Across the West" [360691/30166/26] Posted by bradshaw at 14:24, 19th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
In 1985 there were embryonic plans for a platform on the WR lines near where they crossed. The walk from there passed the signal box along live lines meant it progressed no further. I wrote an article mentioning it in Modern Railways for March 1988.
If such a link were to go ahead now I believe that it would use the S to W curve, earthworks for which can still be seen. Part of the Clifton Maybank extension they were never used. Use could be also made of the N to W curve of the 1860s broad gauge goods link which led to the transfer shed, now the Yeovil Railway Centre. The old down platform might serve this but alternative arrangements will be need for the heritage centre.
Re: FOSS and FOSW validity - some quirks In "Fare's Fair" [360690/30127/4] Posted by ChrisB at 14:12, 19th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I don't know - but is a figure I was quoted when I raised a similar query a few years ago
Re: Across the South West over Easter - trains in pictures In "Across the West" [360689/30166/26] Posted by Cattewater Junction at 13:44, 19th April 2025 Already liked by grahame | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
No 5 is the Cattewater Branch and Cattewater Junction is at the end of the curve
Re: Across the South West over Easter - trains in pictures In "Across the West" [360688/30166/26] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 12:57, 19th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
5. Cattewater Branch Line, Plymouth.
Chris from Plymouth.

Re: Across the South West over Easter - trains in pictures In "Across the West" [360687/30166/26] Posted by johnneyw at 10:49, 19th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
4. Plym Valley railway perchance?
Re: Delays on Devon services - merged posts, ongoing discussion In "Shorter journeys in Devon - Central, North and South" [360686/28378/24] Posted by plymothian at 09:55, 19th April 2025 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Slightly more involved than a tresspasser - someone with end of life intentions.