100,000 extra journeys made on Severn Beach railway in last year
PASSENGER numbers on the Severn Beach railway line jumped by almost 17 per cent last year.
The number of journeys made on the service between Bristol Temple Meads and Severn Beach grew from 575,673 in 2008/9 to 673,000 in 2009/10.
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The Association of Train Operating Companies says the Severn Beach line achieved the fourth largest increase in passenger numbers among the country's branch lines last year, behind lines in Cornwall and Derbyshire.
Julian Crow, west of England manager for First Great Western, which runs services on the line, said: "We're pleased to see the number of passengers choosing to travel with us is growing significantly year on year.
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"We do everything we can to make journeys as comfortable and relaxing as possible, and our performance and customer satisfaction is at an all time high. I hope this trend continues and we continue to welcome even more people on to our trains over the coming year."
The number of passenger journeys on the Severn Beach line has risen by 60 per cent since 2007/8, when 420,000 journeys were made on the service.
Dave Redgewell, of the Campaign for Better Transport, said that although the increase in passengers was "fantastic", there needed to be continued investment in the service.
He said: "This increase has happened as a result of funding from Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council. If that funding is no longer forthcoming, these figures won't continue to rise."
He said passengers had drawn up a wish list for the service which included introducing CCTV cameras at stations, disabled access at Stapleton Road and Lawrence Hill stations, a platform at the Portway park-and-ride site and ticket machines at Redland, Clifton Down and Montpelier stations.
Mr Redgewell said there needed to be extra security on evening services and more emphasis on collecting fares, with up to 25 per cent of them going uncollected last year.
He said: "The figures are fantastic and it shows how partnerships can work between local authorities and First Group. We need to make sure this partnership continues and need to make sure funding is forthcoming in the future.
"If we keep improving, we can get people out of their cars and on to public transport."
Comments
by James, Redland
Monday, August 16 2010, 6:13PM
“With around 50% more services (3 trains in 2 hours rather than hourly) and the Sunday schedule I can believe the passenger numbers could have risen around 20%
Though I find it unlikely that ATOC figures for 2009/10 are *exactly* 673,000!
In view of the subsidy and tendering mentioned also last week, the Severn Beach line should be more than paying its way, especially as the station-to-station prices were replaced a year ago with much more expensive 'zone' fares.
A new contract should enforce value for money for travellers, though I do support revenue collection of fares.”
by Mike B, Bristol
Friday, August 13 2010, 8:01PM
“I don't believe for one minute that 100,000 extra journeys have been made.
It's just that currently the number of travellers are being recorded by making sure nobody gets to travel without paying for a ticket.
Last year most travelled FREE because there was such a lapse way of issuing tickets, and nobody ever bothered to check. I know because I travelled that route frequently and complained several times to the authorities. I'm glad to see they've finally done something about it.
The statistics above are just lies !!!”
by Anon, Posted from my iPhone
Friday, August 13 2010, 6:23PM
“And that's not counting the ones who never get the chance to buy a ticket!
The Hedgehog
PS Now let's reopen the Portishead line...”
by NIGEL, Downend
Friday, August 13 2010, 1:54PM
“I'm not surprised. My Chris loves to visit his friend, Kittys' allottment at Sea Mills every Wednesday. It's a lovely trip by train.”
by Annette Hennessy, Portishead
Friday, August 13 2010, 12:36PM
“Andrew and Roger, there just isn't the same commitment and promise of funding! I wish this was not the case but it is. Speak to many residents here and they will say to you - "it is never going to happen". Not only are they saying it now, but they have been more years! Where would the station go for starters - certainly not where it was planned. If it ever becomes likely it will be the Portbury Railway not Portishead.”
by Roger, Bristol
Friday, August 13 2010, 12:26PM
“BUILD THE PORTISHEAD LINE!!
About bloomin time”
by Andrew, Bristol
Friday, August 13 2010, 8:48AM
“If the money for the bendy bus was put towards re-opening the Portishead line then I'm sure that similar success would be achieved.”