One and all

Have just been passed a summary of the key findings of the above survey.

Makes for interesting reading, and as it was commissioned by Cornwall Council, there is some hope that it will have been fed back into the franchise process.

All sorts of pointers for whoever gets the new franchise...

Survey findings in Italics below.


CORNWALL RAIL SURVEY 2012

Cornwall Rural Community Council (CRCC) undertook a survey between 15 December 2011 and 13 January 2012 on behalf of Cornwall Council to identify people^s views on current rail provision within Cornwall and beyond. The purpose of the survey was to identify people^s views so that Cornwall Council could use this information in negotiating the forthcoming Great Western rail franchise. Questions related to why people did and did not use the trains and what improvements they would like to see, particularly in order to encourage greater use.

Significant Observations from the Survey

It is clear from the many comments made in the survey that those individuals who use the trains see them as an important means of transport; and many highlighted that the opportunities they provide as an alternative, ^greener^ form of transport to the car are valued.

However, there were many comments about where improvements to services could be made to increase their potential. These fell into a number of different headings:

^   Timetabling and Connections

There were requests for train times to provide better commuter opportunities in the mornings and afternoons, both for work and college, together with a desire for more frequent services ^ and clock-face timetabling was mentioned in this context. There were particular requests for more frequent trains at Perranwell, Hayle, Camborne, Lostwithiel and St Germans.

Comments were also made about improving connections between branch and main lines, and with buses, with some timings currently leaving customers with long waits at stations. There were also requests for faster, more direct services to Plymouth and beyond.

Another frequent request was for late night trains to allow people to visit towns in the evening for social and cultural events (e.g. the current last train off Penzance on a weekday does not allow for a good night out; the Saturday service, being even earlier, is even worse). 

^   Improvements to Station and Train Facilities

There were requests made for improved station and train facilities. These related to such things as better, cleaner toilets on platforms and trains, refurbishment to stations (Saltash was particularly mentioned in the respect) and newer, more comfortable coaches ^ there were many comments about Cornwall being subjected to old and dirty carriages. The frequent lack of a buffet service throughout Cornwall was highlighted as unacceptable.

There many comments made about the unpleasantness of over-crowding, especially on summer trains and the Falmouth branch line. A number of requests for improved safety at stations late at night were also mentioned and the new barriers at Truro were felt to be an inconvenience with calls for more efficient conductors to prevent fare-dodging.

Improved capacity on trains for bike and luggage were often mentioned as were more bike racks at stations and improved car parking and disabled access facilities.

The sleeper service is clearly valued with some requests for a Saturday sleeper.
 
^   Re-opened or New Stations

Many mentioned the desire for old stations to be brought back into use. These included Grampound Road, Scorrier, Carn Brea and Probus. Some new stations were also suggested, such as Hugus, Denas Water and Trescobeas Road, Falmouth.

A common theme was lamenting the loss of branch lines under Dr. Beeching^s axe; and North Cornwall, in particular, feels isolated as a result; wishing to see rail services brought back to Launceston and Bude.  Helston and Perranporth were also mentioned in this respect.


^   Tickets and Fares

The most frequent comment was a concern about the price of train fares, which were felt by many to be discouraging train use and the complexity of different fare structures was cited as being confusing. However, the Devon and Cornwall Railcard is seen by many as a wonderful initiative and probably encourages a huge amount of customers that would otherwise not use the trains, although there were a number of complaints about it not being available on peak-hour trains.


^   Customer Service

There were mixed views on this, with many praising rail staff for their helpfulness and courtesy. This was not, however, universal and there seems to be a need to address some unevenness in this respect. In particular, fare-dodging and unruly behaviour is not seen as being always tackled, causing some resentment amongst customers.

Cracking programme.  According to www.seat61.com there is also an occasional tourist passenger service over the line as well for the adventurous !

One and all

For information.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-16977560

How much truth is behind this, I know not.  It may be yet another case of media over exageration.

Regards

Interesting stuff.  Been speaking to various people in Lostwithiel over the weekend, and there does seem to be some interest in trying to improve the number of services that stop here, although the majority are commuters not IC^▸ (Inter City) passengers.  Won't have a chance this year, but will certainly try and do something with this in the new year.

Thanks all for your input.

All understood and thank you for the replies.  I am of the opinion that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) have done wonders for rail travel in Cornwall, but what with the specification for the new franchise being compiled, I suppose what I am trying to figure out is how to improve the service we get at Lostwithiel.

Interesting stuff, although those very services are the one I suggested were providing the 'Cornwall Commuter' services, and their stopping at Lostwithiel and other smaller stations is not primarily to facilitate travel to and from London.


So what defines a shack?  Lostwithiel has a significantly larger population within sensible walking distance than Bodmin Parkway, yet Bodmin gets every service stopping.  Where is the logic in that ?

Have had a great trip down from Reading today on the Cornish Riviera.  Clean, fast, full but not packed, no intermediate stops until Exeter, etc, etc.

Once again always hugely disappointed with having to change onto a 153 at Plymouth, simply to connect to Lostwithiel, with the 50 minute additional journey time this entails.

Can anyone shed any light on why Lostwithiel seems to be the only town on the main line of any size in Cornwall, that the London trains do not stop at ?

I am aware that they fulfil a useful 'Cornwall Commuter' role at Peak times, but it would be useful to know the criteria by which FGW^▸ (First Great Western), or others decide what stops here and what doesn't.

Many thanks for the welcome one and all, and for the useful feedback on the limitations of the D&C railcard.  Hoping at this end that the two together  railcard is deemed a success and soon rolled out nationwide.

Cheers

Been following this forum for a while, and very interesting and informative it is to.

By way of introduction, I am a leisure rail user, and FGW^▸ (First Great Western) fan living in a stationed town in mid cornwall.

Query for you all.  Having spent a very frustrating hour trying to buy a advance return from BOD to EXD^» (Exeter St Davids - next trains) as part of a split to BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains), for a weekend in November using a D&C railcard.  Tried on line, telesales, and even a ticket office but am unable to purchase the advertised discounted fare on specified trains and dates with said railcard.

If I were to buy these tickets on line using a different railcard prompt, (eg Two together/ YP) to achieve the discount, and use them in conjunction with the D&C railcard, would they be valid ?  The saving is worth the hassle !

Cheers