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More Trains For Winter Timetable As More Passengers Make More Journeys

26/09/2003

With passenger journeys on Britain’s rail network expected to exceed the one billion mark before the end of the year, passenger train operators have scheduled a record number of daily train services for the winter 2003 timetable.

The winter timetable, which starts on Sunday 28th September, will see 18,885 train services on a weekday, an extra 184 services compared to the winter 2002 timetable. In an effort to improve performance, some operators have reduced off-peak services which has led to a one per cent decrease in overall train miles each day (837,355 in 2002 to 829,360 in 2003).

ATOC Director, George Muir said: "Train operators are being responsive to the rise in passenger numbers by increasing services on less congested parts of the network.

"After a 20 per cent growth in train miles since 1995, many parts of the network are full - though passenger numbers are still growing. The job now for train operators is to fine tune the timetable with appropriate additions and reductions of services to give passengers what they want whilst improving performance."

Highlights of the Winter Timetable include:

South Central Trains - Passengers travelling between Ashford and Hastings will keep an hourly Sunday service during the winter timetable period. In previous winters, this route was subject to a two-hourly service during Sundays in the winter. Two additional trains will run from London Bridge to West Croydon via Tulse Hill and Crystal Palace. An extra train will run from London Bridge to Epsom. There will also be additional trains on the Redhill to Reigate route during the evenings.

South West Trains - Extra late-evening trains are the highlight of this year’s winter timetable, giving passengers more opportunities to travel home late after a night-out in the capital.

Thames Trains - Didcot Parkway will benefit from five extra trains Mondays to Fridays and 11 extra trains on Saturday stopping on the fast service from London Paddington to Oxford.

ScotRail – will introduce additional Sunday services between North Berwick and Edinburgh. An extra five trains will run in each direction from Sunday 9 November. The Sunday morning summer services will continue to operate in the winter timetable and additional evening services will be added.

Connex - There will be two trains, departing on the hour and half past the hour, from London Charing Cross calling at Waterloo East, London Bridge, one fast to Sevenaoks, the other to Orpington, then Sevenoaks from where they both will call at all stations to Ashford International. There will be two faster trains an hour from London Charing Cross, calling at Waterloo East, Tonbridge. Then one service will call at Paddock Wood, Staplehurst and Ashford International, where it will divide. The front portion will then run fast to Canterbury West, Sturry, Minister and Ramsgate. The rear portion will call at all stations to Dover Priory, which will include Westenhanger.

Wales and Borders and Central Trains - Train services between Cardiff Central and Gloucester are set to change with a new service running hourly between Cardiff and Gloucester. During peak hours, commuters will benefit from an hourly service calling at Newport, Severn Tunnel Junction, Chepstow, Caldicot and Lydney stations.

Valley Lines - Rail users travelling between the Cynon Valley, Pontypridd and Cardiff are set to benefit from extra trains following the awarding of £1.2m Rail Passenger Partnership (RPP) funding from the Strategic Rail Authority. From 29 September 2003, additional trains will provide a half hourly service between the Cynon Valley and Cardiff, Monday to Saturday during most of the day. The majority of trains will run to and from Aberdare although some will start and terminate at Mountain Ash.

Wessex Trains - Rail users in Gloucester will benefit from a new, frequent service between Gloucester and Bristol, with alternate services extended to Worcester.

First Great Western - A significant improvement to the number trains calling at Didcot Parkway, which will bring Didcot its best-ever service. There will be at least two First Great Western trains an hour from Didcot Parkway to London Paddington, one between Didcot Parkway and Bristol Temple Meads and one between Didcot Parkway and Cardiff Central.

Eurostar – With the completion of phase one of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, Eurostar will run 14 daily services to Paris and eight daily services to Brussels - all 40 minutes faster on a return journey.

ENDS

For further information, please contact: ATOC Press Office Tel. 020 7904 3010

Notes to editors

The new winter timetable runs from Sunday 28 September 2003

Train Services

Sep 02

Sep 03

InterCity

675

680

InterUrban

2721

2760

Commuting

8238

8291

Rural

1550

1611

Urban

5517

5543

18701

18885

Train miles

Sep 02

Sep 03

InterCity

124635

126953

InterUrban

233315

219930

Commuting

268512

269619

Rural

71051

72327

Urban

139841

140528

837354

829357

Timetables are available for purchase from ticket offices at most large stations and at W.H. Smith bookstalls on station concourses.

Full details on the winter timetable can also be obtained by calling the National Rail Enquiries Service (NRES) on 08457 48 49 50 or by logging on to www.nationalrail.co.uk

ATOC represents the passenger train companies and organises many joint activities for them including revenue allocation and settlement, impartial retailing, the National Rail Enquiries Service (NRES), Railcard marketing, staff travel arrangements, international products and travel agent licensing.