The fares are not subject to the usual national process, ....

This is one of those "damned if you do, damned if you don't" scenarios. ...

I would support a modest increase in fares and there was speculation that this may happen in the September 2015 fares round.

Ask here on this forum for fares advice. My algorithms are much better. 

Must say, two excellent ticket collectors today on the Severn Riviera Express. Both really energetic in collecting revenue and one in particular demonstrating great wit and charm with the passengers. More of the same please. I got off the train at Temple meads laughing.

I'm one of those tools. 

Looks like FOSBR are holding a little 7th Anniversary Event of the increased services on the Severn Beach Line on 15 May by the Coffee Trike at Redland Station around 11.00 - 11.30. There a few more details on the FOSBR website.

I've noticed that the trackbed is being cleared alongside the new SITA Powerstation build on Severnside.

In their planning blurb, SITA did say they were going to re-instate the Railhead - but I thought this was just a ruse to get it through planning.

I'm assuming there will be interruptions to the Severn Beach line both during engineering works and scheduling of passenger services in future?

Anyone know of any rumours/timescales?

PS... I've noticed an increasing number of Class 70's at St Andrews Rd.. there can't be that many coal-fired Powerstations left to service?!

Delivery of the proposed Severnside energy recovery centre would make a significant contribution to providing new treatment and recovery facilities to manage commercial and industrial waste from the former Avon County Council region, along with the ability to manage residual household waste from West London that will be delivered to the facility by rail.

The Secretary of State upheld the appeal on 16 September 2011. With that approval in place,      SITA UK is now constructing the Severnside energy recovery centre, which has already been granted an Environmental Permit following scrutiny from the Environment Agency. It is expected to be completed in 2016.

20:03 Avonmouth to Bristol Temple Meads due 20:34
Will be formed of 1 coach instead of 2 between Avonmouth and Bristol Temple Meads.
This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.
Last Updated: 24/12/2014 19:03

Call for Sunday operation as Portway Park and Ride station date confirmed.

The planned Portway Park and Ride train station, which should be open by April 2016, should run services on Sundays, campaigners say.

The new stop on the Severn Beach Line would enable commuters to park their car and then take a rail service to places like Clifton and Redland or on to Temple Meads.

As the Severn Beach line is single track, only one platform is needed and a footbridge is not required.

It has been reported that a kit-type platform has also reduced the cost of the project from ^3m to ^750,000.

Campaigners say there is a desire for Sunday services and also called on the city council to expand the current bus park and ride service to include Sundays.

Local councillor Wayne Harvey said: "We have been waiting quite a while now for this but I am pleased there is now a date in the diary."However we have to be sure that it operates as effectively as possible and this means Sunday opening. In fact, I will be pushing to have the current bus park and ride extended to Sundays."

Bristol north West MP Charlotte Leslie, who is campaigning for a Henbury Loop as part of the MetroWest rail infrastructure, said that opening the park and ride to users of the Severn Beach Line was another essential component in getting cars off Bristol's congested streets.

She said: "I would have been happier if this had happened sooner as we cannot do enough to reduce the chronic congestion in the northern parts of the city."Network Raid told Ms Leslie: "Network Rail's programme of delivery is to achieve an April/May 2016 opening date (for the Portway station). 

Network Rail is to procure consultants for the GRIP Stage 3 report. The second Value Management workshop was put back to June 2014 due to Network Rail's commitments on electrification, Filton Bank four tracking and Bristol East Junction, however sufficient time has been built into the programme of delivery to achieve the proposed April/May 2016 opening date."

GRIP ( Governance for Railway Investment Projects) is the process which helps decide if major rail projects get the go-ahead.

'Please let us pay our train fares' Severn Beach campaigners beg First Great Western


Cllr Robert Griffin and Chris Smith

^Let us pay our train fares,^ Severn Beach commuters are pleading First Great Western amid growing fears that the Bristol line may be falsely perceived as unprofitable and scrapped.

Many would consider themselves lucky to encounter no conductor on their way to work and save a few pounds, but for Chris Smith, a software developer, and scores of other villagers, being unable to pay for their journey could lead to the only direct service from Severn Beach to Temple Meads being cancelled.

As there is no ticket machine at the village railway station, passengers hop on a train where their ^2 or ^3 round fare is supposed to be collected. Yet, seeing a conductor on the line is a rare occasion and a majority of travellers go free most days.

This state of affairs has sparked concern among locals that the service will appear unprofitable to provider First Great Western and that it could eventually be scrapped, as has recently happened with some bus services in the region.

Mr Smith, 40, has therefore launched a petition asking First Great Western for better checks and is hoping to gather at least 100 signatures from fellow commuters. The father-of-one told the Gazette: ^I take the Severn Beach line every day to Temple Meads. That's a completely unmanned station with no way to get tickets. If you get off at another unmanned station, there is no way for you to pay. Because it is a relatively isolated community people are concerned that if the line appears unprofitable we will lose the service. We are asking for facilities to pay, however it would work, whether it is a machine or having more ticket collectors. The idea is to get signatures to show that there's public concern. That's the first step."

The Severn Beach line saw a significant increase in passenger numbers since improvements were made to the service in 2008. The extent of the increase is difficult to measure however as the financial evidence simply is not available, according to Pilning and Severn Beach Cllr Robert Griffin. ^Rail services are incredibly important in Severn Beach and so Chris is to be congratulated for his petition," he said. ^If First Great Western think that rail services to and from Severn Beach are not well-used because they fail to collect the fares that users are willing to pay, then that puts those services at risk of being cut. We need to do what we can to make the train company realise how popular local rail services are, which is why Chris has my staunch support.^

A First Great Western spokesman said the company was already in the process of recruiting new ticket inspector staff. "It's not for me to comment on profitability," he said. "We have introduced a Scholar ticket for students so that they can buy a season ticket. There are already season tickets available for commuters. We undertook inspections on the line in September and we hope we can undertake inspections on a regular basis. We are also looking to recruit additional assistant ticket examiners. Any fear that the services are going to be reduced is completely unfounded."

To view the petition visit http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/first-great-western-trains-provide-more-ticket-collectors-on-trains-on-the-severn-beach-line-2

Popular Severn Beach line gets new late service

A NEW night-time train service has been added to the Severn Beach line.

The extra service was launched by First Great Western last night with a train leaving Temple Meads at 9.37pm.

Its introduction follows the significant increase in passenger numbers using the line since improvements were made to the service in 2008.

The new late service out of Temple Meads was sent on its way by singers from the North Bristol Wellbeing Choir, members of the Friends of Suburban Railway and representatives from First Great Western, the city council and the West of England Partnership.

The return service from Avonmouth was then due back into the station at 10.48pm.

The extra service is now running on weeknights and Saturdays.

Julie Boston, co-ordinator for Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways, said the introduction of the new service was "very significant" but said it was still not good enough for a city.

"Considering this is a city it is pathetic, but considering it is an improvement we have to celebrate.

"The Severn Beach line has gone from strength to strength and this can only help. Our members have told us for some time that they needed later trains and it is great to see they are now being added to the timetable.

"We are delighted that First Great Western has brought out a new timetable showing this improved service."

Councillor Tim Kent, who is responsible for transport in the city, said improvements to the line were a sign of things to come.

He said: "The new service will fill a gap in what is one of the west's most popular lines.

"Growth of over 100 per cent just over the last few years demonstrates the potential for rail to deliver and expand in this region with latent demand waiting to be unlocked. With frequent services, acceptable fares and investment in stations we have seen rapid growth.

"This is why we will be delivering the first part of the Greater Bristol Metro here on the Severn Beach Line next year. Our plans for the Portway Park and Ride are now turning into reality. The new facility is due to open in just over six months. This will be the first of the ten new stations, two new lines and significant increase in frequency that is planned over the next ten years as part of the Greater Bristol Metro investment plan."

Mark Hopwood, managing director of First Great Western, said: "First Great Western has worked hard with Bristol City Council and the Severnside Community Rail Partnership to improve and promote services on this popular route through Bristol. The huge increase in passenger numbers has encouraged us to put on this additional return train, providing a more frequent evening service."

The new service leaves Temple Meads at 9.37pm, calling at all stations to Avonmouth, arriving at 10.03pm. The return journey leaves Avonmouth at 10.17pm, arriving at Temple Meads at 10.48pm.

Finally. Not quite sure how FGW are going to run three trains at the same time from Weston-super-Mare. 

They are part of some published timetables. The printed National Rail Timetable doesn't contain the amended times and the electronic National Rail Timetable contains incorrect information for the Severn Beach Line during the engineering period.

Wow.
How does your count compare to the Council one?

I just hope that the footfall numbers recorded (either by SCRP or BCC) are representative of the passenger numbers, and take into account seasonal changes.

Welcome news, particularly the reduction in subsidy. The fares revenue must be healthy for that to happen as I can't see FGW taking up any shortfall. The later, year round, Sunday evening train is also good news.

Now, are those ticket machines 'live' yet?

Bristol's Severn Beach rail line subsidy is halved

A council subsidy for a rail line in Bristol is to be halved after an increase in passenger numbers.

Since 2008, Bristol City Council has spent ^400,000 a year so the Severn Beach line can be served by half-hourly services during peak time.

The council said journeys had increased by 80% in the past three years and did not need a large subsidy any more.

First Great Western said the cut was not "negative" and no services would be axed because of the lower subsidy.

A statement from the council said the new agreement, costing ^200,000 a year until 2013, "confirms the continuation of the enhanced service".

Councillor Gary Hopkins said the authority had got a good deal with the train firm that saved money. "I am delighted that we have managed to secure this service for the foreseeable future. We are confident that the route will remain sustainable," he said. "The Severn Beach Line success story is a shining example which should inform the way we continue to do business in the future."

First Great Western said a reduction in the subsidy "should not be seen as a negative" and was a reflection of the "growing popularity of the line".

A company spokesman confirmed they were committed to maintaining the same level of services on the line.

A spokesman for the Friends of Suburban Railways welcomed the news but added: "We would like to know from the council how they plan to take forward further improvements."

He said: "We are pleased, obviously, that the service is continuing and it appears that there's going to be a later service on a Sunday on the branch line as a whole, but we were hoping there would be improvements to the evening service as well."

Now, are those ticket machines 'live' yet?

Welcome news, particularly the reduction in subsidy. The fares revenue must be healthy for that to happen as I can't see FGW taking up any shortfall. The later, year round, Sunday evening train is also good news.

NEW SEVERN BEACH LINE CONTRACT: MORE TRAINS AND NEW TICKET MACHINES, with LESS TAXPAYERS MONEY

The future of the Severn Beach Line is looking better than ever following a new agreement between the city council and First Great Western.

The agreement reduces the cost of the city council’s annual contribution to the agreed service by hundreds of thousands of pounds whilst also including even more service improvements. That leave a substantial sum free – either to commit to even more improvements on the Severn Beach Line – or to invest in restoring other well-loved but struggling public transport services to better commercial health.

The new contract has been agreed in light of new franchising rules which allow local councils to reinvest the money saved from renegotiated contracts rather than giving it back to the government. Bristol City Council lobbied government to achieve this.

Despite the leaner financial support, the new contract will contain an important improvement to the Sunday service. The 18:53 from Temple Meads to Severn Beach and the 19:43 from Severn Beach to Temple Meads presently operate in the summer months only. They will now operate throughout the year.

The agreement confirms the continuation of the enhanced service that the Council has been funding since early 2008 and recognises the substantial growth in passengers that this enhancement has generated.

The new contract will run from 21 May 2011 until 31 March 2013 when the current FGW franchise terminates. Both FGW and the City Council wish to maintain the enhanced service but a contract beyond this date depends on decisions concerning the extension or replacement of the franchise.

Gary Hopkins, Bristol’s Executive Member for Strategic Transport, Waste & Targeted Improvement said, “More for less is not just talk. With proper service planning and business-like negotiations we can get a good deal for tax payers and users of a service, which still makes sound commercial sense to a professional operator. I am delighted that we have managed to secure this service for the foreseeable future, in a way that recognises the significant passenger growth that our money has generated up to now.”

Passenger journeys on the Severn Beach Line have increased by 80 per cent over the last four years. This spectacular passenger growth is great news, but it has led to difficulties for passengers trying to buy tickets on busy trains, particularly if they are making short journeys. Passengers arriving at Bristol Temple Meads without tickets are often faced with queueing to pay their fare.

To address the difficulties facing passengers, new ticket machines have been installed at Montpelier, Redland and Clifton Down stations with funding provided by the City Council. The machines will enable passengers travelling in the direction of Temple Meads to buy tickets before boarding their train.

The following inner – zone tickets will be available from the new machines.:

Weekly season ticket £6.00
Adult single £1.50
Adult return £2.00
Child/ Railcard Single £0.75
Child/ Railcard Return £1.00.

Payment is by cash only given the relatively low fare values and the need to avoid creating queues by accepting card payments.

The installation of ticket machines complements other measures already in place to maximise the collection of fares on the Severn Beach Line: additional ticket examiners now travel on many trains and revenue protection staff will be at station exits.

Since 2008 Bristol City Council has invested £400,000 per year into providing a more frequent service on the Severn Beach Line including trains on Sundays. The new contract reduces this amount to just over £200,000 even though the services level will be higher than previously.

The Council has also been working in partnership with the Severnside Community Rail Partnership and First Great Western and to carry out station improvements on the Severn Beach Line. Improvements include new shelters, web based customer information systems, environmental improvements, community art projects and poster cases to display bus interchange information. These initiatives have been successful in substantially reducing vandalism and graffiti.

Councillor Hopkins, added: “When we’re talking about investment in public transport, this is the way to do it. Public money must work hard and get results. Extra trains and proper investment in safe and welcoming stations have transformed the Severn Beach Line into an attractive and cost effective travel choice for commuters, shoppers and school children. And there is more good news to come in the form of newer trains and larger carriages later this year.

“We are confident that the route will remain sustainable. The Severn Beach Line success story is a shining example which should inform the way we continue to do business in the future.”

Is furious that some mindless cretin has destroyed the new ticket machine at Montpelier station.

Clifton Down one has been vandalised too.

Only a matter of time before these new TVMs receive attention form the local scrotes I fear.

The 08/09 data can be found here: http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.1529

I was wondering, does anyone know what the actual usage figures are?