Well, the stock do have train managers aboard.

Presumably they're IETs as the National Rail site lists 1st class fares against them.

For Bath to Oxford:

Anytime standard day return £77.20

Bristol, Weston and Bath's free kids' holiday bus travel extended for three years

Children will be able to travel for free on buses across the West of England during school holidays for the next three years, it has been confirmed.

Helen Godwin, mayor for the West of England Combined Authority (Weca), introduced the scheme for under 16s shortly after being elected a year ago. It has now been extended to cover the summer, Easter and Christmas holidays until 2029.

It comes as research suggests the offer is having the biggest impact on young people in most deprived areas of the region.

Samira Musse, a mum from Barton Hill, said: "Every child was just excited to ride the bus. It gives them that freedom, that confidence to go somewhere by themselves with their friends."

About 1.4 million free journeys took place in the first trial year of the scheme, costing Weca £1.4m.

Research from the University of Bristol suggests the scheme was used more in the most deprived parts of the region. Average bus use increased by 32% during the scheme, this compares to a 56% rise in Lawrence Hill, and Hartcliffe saw a 130% spike, researchers found.

Musse, who is also a director of Barton Hill activity club, said she had heard stories of families using the scheme to visit new places. "Someone was telling us they went four times in one summer to Weston, they've never been before because they can't afford it," she added. "It's amazing - that opportunity for people to explore the city they live in with less cost."

The researchers recommended extending eligibility up to 18-year-olds, and extending it beyond the school holidays.

Neither of these ideas are currently being implemented because of the potential cost, though Godwin has previously indicated she would be in favour. "It gets people out and about," said Godwin, arguing that areas such as Radstock, Midsomer Norton and Yate had all seen increased footfall when the scheme was in place.

Funding for the scheme over the next three years will come from a £42m bus grant, which has been given to the combined authority by government for the mayor to distribute how she likes. The money will also be spent on discounts such as capping kids' fares at £1, free travel for care leavers, the Diamond pass for older and disabled bus users and to support bus services which are not commercially viable.

Taking train to wedding made it special, says bride


Bethan Seddon was given a special train ticket to mark the day - Image © Transport for Wales

A bride who travelled to her wedding ceremony by train said it made the day even more memorable.

Bethan Seddon, a regular user of the Coryton line in Cardiff, got to the altar on time by taking a South Wales Metro train to Penarth Pier Pavilion. She and her now-husband Chris had used the line throughout their relationship and wanted to make it part of their big day. "I know our guests were surprised when they heard the plan but Transport for Wales really made it special," Seddon said.


Fellow passengers and TfW staff congratulated her on the journey - Image © Transport for Wales

The bridal party boarded at Birchgrove and were surrounded by congratulatory passengers. Transport for Wales (TfW) staff - or as the groom dubbed them, "Transport for Veils" - were also on hand to celebrate. "The bridal party had the best time - and it got me to the ceremony right on time," Seddon added.

Marie Daly, from TfW, congratulated the couple and said the team was "delighted" to have played a part in their journey. "We're really pleased Bethan and Chris chose to make the South Wales Metro part of their wedding day," she added.

Given GWR's days are numbered is it worth the bother?

A good example of a service planned and implemented for a different market also having positive benefits elsewhere.

There have been whispers of exactly that happening!  Can’t see it myself, not for a few years at least, but you never know.

Yes - those are *very* pleasing ... and it is also pleasing to see practical commutes from Westbury, Trowbridge, Melkshan (and Chippenham and Swindon) to Oxford too.

Can they be persuaded to continue the service on to Milton Keynes? I understand that there is an unmet need for such a service and a nice newly rebuilt line available...

15:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 18:26 has been cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.

17:05 Didcot Parkway to Evesham due 18:24 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.

18:51 Evesham to Oxford due 19:50 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.

19:02 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 21:28 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.

I can confirm it has been reinforced to staff yesterday via staff notice.

Personally I like someone sitting in those seats to have a yap to. On these coaches the driver is quite isolated away from the passengers, and it gets quite lonely! They also have audio cctv recording in the cab area, so the company will know exactly how the conversation went between driver and passenger.

Brilliant! For my Melksham-Bristol commute:

• it's now practical to catch the 07:21 from Melksham instead of the 06:29 (because if I miss the unofficial 07:33 connection at Chippenham (likely) there's the new 07:47, don't have to wait for the 08:09)
  
• what was going to be a >30 min wait at Chippenham (due to the 18:00 CPM-MKM moving to 18:09) is reduced to ~20 mins thanks to the new 17:15 from Bristol, which I'll catch instead of the 17:00.
  

GWR have to object.  It’s under the terms of the contract with the DfT.

Indeed, all good for a launch on Monday as originally hoped.  Services now in RealTimeTrains and the journey planners:

I'm wondering how the Coffeeshop forum's disruption map will render this service. (Obviously, also hoping it will not need to render it at all.)

Mark

Can they be persuaded to continue the service on to Milton Keynes? I understand that there is an unmet need for such a service and a nice newly rebuilt line available...

I’m hearing the start might not be delayed now!

What will stop is tax payers money paying the bubbly and canopies at the share holders meeting 

05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09

Facilities on the 05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09.
Toilet facilities are not available. Disabled toilet facilities are not available.

a question how far south from Belfast do the over head wires extend and how far North from Dublin do the over head wires extend?

Thank you.