Do you connect into an FGW train, then on to some other transport too?

[whole diary]

[John R]

That's OK, but if you want the service at Parson St to increase then maybe use it now and again to encourage the provision of more stops. After all, if everyone adopted your approach then it would likely become another Pilning.

[Chris from Nailsea]

... I'm not aware of any train running information at Parson Street

There is a help point, at the top of the stairs to the platforms.

[grahame]

The question of how long you'll wait at your local station / how much inconvenience you'll put up with when there's another option is another interesting one (and one we have some experience of in our parts).  There's a whole thread in there 

[brizzlechris]

... I'm not aware of any train running information at Parson Street

There is a help point, at the top of the stairs to the platforms.

If it was working... I've reported a few times in this recent spell of no information to no avail.

[The Grecian]

That's OK, but if you want the service at Parson St to increase then maybe use it now and again to encourage the provision of more stops. After all, if everyone adopted your approach then it would likely become another Pilning.

It's a fair point, but we all have our individual circumstances. I'm quite happy walking or jogging 2 miles or so to Temple Meads; some people wouldn't be. I do use Parson Street occasionally, usually either when the rain's hammering down (quite a frequent event of a Bristolian summer) or when I need to be in the city centre urgently. It's not quite the same as Pilning since Pilning appears to be in the middle of nowhere (even though Severn Beach is nearby) whereas Parson Street is very much in Bristol, even if it is the outskirts.

Another issue that raises itself is how busy the station would be if there was a regular half-hourly service all day. I used to live in Exeter and I noticed that Digby and Sowton has a half-hourly service which is well used more or less all day. I'd guess Parson Street has at least as many if not more people living nearby, so if there was a regular half hourly service would it be well used? I'd certainly be more tempted to use it regularly.

[John R]

It's half hourly in the rush hour, so a better service than Yate. But Yate has 7 times as many passengers. Hourly off peak is all you're going to get for a station that has 100 passengers a day, ie 50 return journeys.

Even in the rush hour there are surprisingly few passengers per train (maybe 10 max) for such a built up location. Maybe they're all jogging into the centre. 

[Deltic]

It was less than 10 passengers a day a few years ago so things are improving!  For relatively short journeys at low frequency, rail probably completes poorly with bus journeys, which can go right into the city centre, for which Temple Meads is not particularly well located.  The solution?  I think we're back to the still-born and still lamented Avon Metro.

[John R]

Indeed, the number of entrances and exits has risen from 7000 to 32000 in 3 years, so a very healthy growth. Whether any of the growth is down to improved revenue protection remains to be seen, though TM^▸ (Train Manager, or Ticket Machine, or Temple Meads (Bristol), depending on context) has been gated throughout that period. There is also a possibility that some tickets recorded as from Parson St are actually those purchased at the barrier at TM from those travelling from further afield.   

[Brucey]

There is also a possibility that some tickets recorded as from Parson St are actually those purchased at the barrier at TM^▸ (Train Manager, or Ticket Machine, or Temple Meads (Bristol), depending on context) from those travelling from further afield.  

Wouldn't Lawrence Hill or Stapleton Road be better choices, as the fare is cheaper?

I've arrived from Redland/Clifton Down/Bedminster on a number of occassions without a ticket.  It is very easy to make up the origin station to something cheaper than the one you arrived from, especially if Penalty Fares apply at the station where you actually started your journey.  Just another reason why some sort of ticket machine/PERTIS^▸ (Permit to travel) machine is required at all local Bristol stations.

[caliwag]

I suppose it's very unfair for me to have voted as I live in York. But I choose to go to Falmouth via Pad as I like FGW^▸ (First Great Western) 125s.
Off again tomorrow...EC to KGX (125), then hopefully 12.06 to Truro, marvellous...son at UC Falmouth so great excuse for a visit.
Perhaps try the new Rick Stein place (plaice!) sorry!

[James Vertigan]

Depends where I'm going.

If I'm going to work then it's 10 minute walk to Acton Main Line then seven minutes to Paddington followed by a 20 minute journey on the Underground to Liverpool Street.

If I'm going to our abode in Devon from AML it's the same to Paddington, then an HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) service to Tiverton Parkway and then either two Stagecoach bus services (the 1 and the 155!) or a half hour car journey.

[grahame]

Many thanks for all your votes on this.

Over four out of five journeys on an FGW^▸ (First Great Western) train involve some sort of onward travel / transport at the start and/or end of the trip, rather than FGW providing the total solution.  I think that confirms the true importance of looking at total journeys, including integration and connection to other transports.