Insufficient capacity - Oldfield Park and Keynsham

[whole diary]

[grahame]

Whilst on the subject of the 7.30 Paddington-Penzance that currently runs via Bristol. I dare say this train will be missed by Swindon, Chippenham and Bath passengers when it moves over to running on the Berks and Hants at the December timetable change but I understand the reason for it moving over to the faster route.

It will indeed be missed ... a very popular train at Swindon, Chippenham and Bath Spa for Taunton and beyond.  I suspect the popularity is with a relatively small but vociferous group though (of which, yes, I number myself).

Chippenham to Truro ... 08:39, gets there at 12:31, direct service next week.   08:42, two changes, arrive 13:32 in four weeks time.   There are alternatives with just a single change  at 08:11 and 10:13 from Chippenham, but no journeys under 4 hours any longer.

Noting "Oldfield Park and Keynsham" ... the 08:26 from Oldfield Park to Swindon (a through train) finishies in 4 weeks ; there's an 08:34 on offer with a change at Bath Spa, taking virtually the same time - an 09:09 v an 09:02 arrival into Swindon.   There "never" was a direct train back in the afternoon / evening anyway.

[froome]

The Penzance train was announced as cancelled at Oldfield Park yesterday, despite it not stopping there anyway. The same announcement then went on to advise passengers for Temple Meads to catch the 08.26, despite this announcement being at 08.50, well after the 8.26 had left.

The train due at 08.50 arrived 6 minutes late and was short-formed, and one of the most uncomfortable journeys I've ever had to make (and I have to stand on virtually all trains from here these days). I know the TM^‡(resolve) attempted to get everybody on board, but not sure he succeeded, especially at Keynsham. Personally I came close to fainting from the overcrowded conditions, and having no sight of my possessions just raised my stress levels.

My return train was the 16.49 train from Temple Meads which was, if anything, even more horrendously crowded, and some people definitely did get left behind without being able to board.

[rogerw]

The 0826 service was running about 30 mins late and following the 0850 which would not have helped the crowding on the latter service.

[froome]

The 0826 service was running about 30 mins late and following the 0850 which would not have helped the crowding on the latter service.

Thanks. I was told at the time that the 0826 had already left, but maybe the staff member just wasn't aware. However, it wasn't showing on the screen, which presumably it should have been.

[Bristolboy]

Keynsham still seems to have issues with overcrowding and people unable to get on trains during the morning peak, which is covered in local press (The Week In etc). Its not surprising given station usage statistics and the development within the town but I can't help but think what rail usage would be like were this service to be better and it wasn't getting such bad publicity.