Railway timetables across the country will be changing this Sunday (11th) December. This is one of the regular twice yearly changes. Changes to times on our network are minimal, but customers should check before they travel at www.gwr.com/check in case of any minor timing changes.
We wanted to also draw your attention to the introduction of our Intercity Express Trains (currently used on inter-city services to and from London) onto our Cardiff-Penzance route, serving the Welsh capital, Bristol, Weston-super-Mare, Taunton and into Devon and Cornwall. These will replace a number of our Castle Class trains (formed of old HSTs) which have in one form or another been in service for nearly 50 years. This will make a significant contribution in cutting our carbon emissions and also help us to reduce financial costs, which is particularly important given we are receiving taxpayer subsidy.
These trains will have First Class albeit that we will not be offering catering. In common with all other IETs, bicycle reservations will be compulsory. We are making customers aware via station posters and on-board and station announcements. There is more information on how to reserve bikes on www.gwr.com/bikes.
We also wanted to remind you of Network Rail improvement work taking place at Bristol Parkway over the Christmas period, which means no trains will be able to stop at Bristol Parkway, Yate or Cam & Dursley over from 27th to 31st December. Our long distance services between London and South Wales will be diverted and journey times extended by around 25 minutes, and replacement buses will run between Gloucester and Bristol. For more information please go to our dedicated webpage at www.gwr.com/christmas.
Finally, talks are in progress to try to avert the strike dates called by the RMT for 13th,14th,16th and 17th December, and 3rd,4th, 6th and 7th January. We will be in touch with more information as soon as we have it, and will keep our specific industrial action webpage at www.gwr.com/strike updated too.
As ever, if you have any questions please just get in touch.
