Following the introduction of half-hourly train services between Yate, Bristol and Yate Gloucester, GWR have confirmed a year-on-year increase in passengers in September of 15.6% on the Bristol-Gloucester corridor.
Whether it’s heading to a college in Gloucester, university at Filton, or the office in Bristol City Centre, more residents are choosing to travel by train since the introduction of half hourly services.
The half hourly services, which were introduced as part of the MetroWest Phase 2 development along the South Gloucestershire and Bristol railway line, had long been part of Luke Hall MP’s campaign to Get Yate Moving. Luke had campaigned for half-hourly trains for a number of years and called on Great Western Railway and the Government to deliver on their commitment to increase the frequency of train services from between Yate and Bristol, which previously had run only once an hour.
The MP has previously stated that half-hourly services would be invaluable to the local community and would make rail a more viable option for many people locally, reduce journey times, take cars off the road and reduce overcrowding on peak journeys. In a Parliamentary debate last year, the local MP for Yate succeeded in securing Government assurances that the half hourly series would be introduced and worked alongside Great Western Railway and the West of England Combined Authority to ensure the services went ahead as planned, without any further delay.
Luke said, “It’s really encouraging to see the uptake in these new half hourly services, which are already making a big difference. There is more to do on public transport in Yate, but this is a step forward and I am pleased that another part of our Positive Plan has been delivered.
