May is proving an excellent month for new rail links. From Monday, direct trains between Bristol, Bath and Oxford are restored after 23 years. Passengers between these fine cities will enjoy smoother and faster journeys – except, oddly, on Sundays. The overseas tourists who have to default to the clunky change at Didcot Parkway may be surprised to learn that one reason is that train drivers do not have to work on Sundays.
I agree with GWR managing director Mark Hopwood, who says: “The economic and social benefits are clear, and we are confident that these new services demonstrate the value of rail in driving economic growth.”
At the risk of raining on the parade, though, I must lament the fact that due to dreadful decisions taken a decade ago, the restored link must use diesel trains for almost half the journey, thus undermining it slightly. Plans to electrify the line to Oxford and to Bath and Bristol were dropped after the botched project went wildly over time and budget. Sharp-eared passengers will notice the journey goes diesel-electric-diesel.
Then there is the issue of continuing on to another city: Milton Keynes. The good news is that billions of pounds have been spent on the commendable East West Rail project, which is now available for passenger trains between Oxford, Bletchley and Milton Keynes Central. Except no services are running, as the government, the train operator Chiltern and the unions fail to agree on whether the link should be “driver-only operation”.
A spokesperson for Chiltern says: “There is work still to finish to prepare the trains, on Winslow station and on the operating arrangements for the new route. We are continuing to work with our partners on these to progress them as soon as possible.”
In a perfect world, each train would carry additional staff to ensure everyone’s welfare. But to keep the whopping taxpayer subsidy and train fares down, many trains do not – including Chiltern services south of Banbury. Yes, on a Birmingham-London train, a guard is present as far south as Banbury but then hops off while the driver and passengers continue.
A national conversation about driver-only operation is needed: to decide the right balance between safety and economy. But the current arrangements are crazy, adding cost and complexity to little benefit. And instead of passengers gladly paying to travel on the East West line, taxpayers are bankrolling security around the unused station in the town of Winslow – whose residents are getting increasingly cheesed off.
Back on the optimistic track: on bank holiday Monday, 25 May, Lumo launches a new Anglo-Scottish express between London and Stirling. (It does not yet appear to have a train name, so I commend Castle-Capital Connection.) The “open-access” operator will transform access between England and central Scotland. And it will provide competition for Avanti West Coast on key journeys between London Euston and northwest England.
The train calls at Milton Keynes Central (where, as mentioned, you cannot currently change for Oxford). It continues via Nuneaton, Crewe, Preston and Carlisle.
The biggest savings are on peak-hour departures from Euston for travellers who do not book in advance. During the afternoon rush hour from Mondays to Thursdays, Avanti West Coast charges £198 one way from London to Preston. The corresponding Lumo fare is £92. Of course significantly lower fares are available on both operators if you book well ahead.
More innovation, less procrastination, please.
Simon Calder, also known as The Man Who Pays His Way, has been writing about travel for The Independent since 1994. In his weekly opinion column, he explores a key travel issue – and what it means for you.
