New services for Yeovil

[whole diary]

[Southernman]

New South West Trains services for the West of England get the green light

New services to begin in December 2015 following approval from rail regulator

Two trains per hour from Exeter to Honiton between 16:00 and 18:00**

Whilst this is to be welcomed at the Exeter end, all it means is 2 trains comprising a single 158 2-car unit within 10 minutes of each other instead of one train comprising a single 3-car 159 unit.

I would expect that the through trains to Waterloo in that period will continue to be formed of 159 units.

[paul7575]

The original track access application did show the additional Exeter extra as 159 operated:

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/track%20access/2%20completed%20consultations/2015/2015.02.23%20sswt%2058th%20sa%20-%20section%2022%20-%20closes%2023%20march%202015/58th%20sa%20form%20p.pdf

The very last couple of pages lists the intended stock for each service.

This extra down from Yeovil: 
SX 14:50 Yeovil Pen Mill to Exeter St Davids 1x159

then these two:
SX 16:36 Exeter SD to Honiton 1x159
SX 17:07 Honiton to Exeter St Davids 1x159

I assume the '2 tph between 1600 and 1800' includes the existing off pattern extra service to Axminster?

Edit, yes, the full SWT^▸ (South West Trains) news item makes this clear, if you follow the asterisks to the 'notes for Editors', I've edited it to join the info up:

Two trains per hour from Exeter to Honiton between 16:00 and 18:00** / **currently only 2 train per hour 17:00-18:00

and

Half-hourly train services from London to Tisbury, Gillingham, Templecombe, Sherborne and Yeovil Junction between 15:20 and 19:20* / *today it is half hourly 16:20-18:20

The whole news release is here:

http://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/NewWestofEngland.aspx

Paul

[paul7575]

Looks as though fares for these new SWT^▸ (South West Trains) services will be a complete farce.

Tried a journey planner check for singles Salisbury to Yeovil Jn, Salisbury to Yeovil Pen Mill, and Yeovil Jn to Pen Mill:

Salisbury to Yeovil Junction ^15.40
Yeovil Junction to Pen Mill  ^2.40
Salisbury to Yeovil Pen Mill ^24.10

What's the betting no-one at SWT has even thought about changing this, with a few weeks to go, probably because the latter fare is set by GW^▸ (Great Western)? 

Paul

[JayMac]

I'd also like to see via Warminster/Salisbury fares for Yeovil Pen Mill, Castle Cary, Bruton and Frome to/from, Woking, Clapham Junction and London Terminals.

Without them, the only sensible thing to do is to split your fare at Westbury.

If you want a single from Yeovil Pen Mill to Woking using the direct afternoon service the Standard Class through fare is ^73.00. Split at Westbury and it's ^42.90.

[Rapidash]

An increase in capacity of a third in the peak is not to be sniffed at. I can think of
a few services that would welcome such an increase.

Considering us mugs on P2 at EXC can only look on in envy as 158/9 turns up for the evening commute on P3,  whilst we get a sardine-ride down the sea wall on a Pacer..... lucky buggers.

[bradshaw]

The Dorset has just published the consultation for the new SWT^▸ (South West Trains) services on the Heart of Wessex line from Yeovil to Weymouth

http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/14328512.New_Weymouth_Salisbury_summer_trains_on_track/

[Oberon]

I wonder if this just a short term idea aimed at franchise renewal or something more serious?

[Timmer]

I wonder if this just a short term idea aimed at franchise renewal or something more serious?

Hopefully something more serious. I believe there is a market for these services. They also provide useful extra capacity on the line between Weymouth and Yeovil in between GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) services.

[paul7575]

The Dorset has just published the consultation for the new SWT^▸ (South West Trains) services on the Heart of Wessex line from Yeovil to Weymouth

http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/14328512.New_Weymouth_Salisbury_summer_trains_on_track/

Odd that they are being reported on as a new consultation, because the Sat only Weymouth extensions were in the first track access application referred to about this time last year, as mentioned in the list in reply 2 above.

Paul