Bedwyn Trains Passenger Group

At a GWR drop in session for MPs in March, MD Mark Hopwood was very positive regarding
restoring direct Paddington services, but there is no timescale. Martin Pearce, GWR's DfT contact,
asked for a summary of the problems with the shuttles. His kind reply acknowledged the issues.

BTPG also spoke with Zach Bailey, responsible for station development, about extending the 'nose
first' parking at Bedywn Station. It has put him in contact with the Parish Council.

A business case is being developed for an hourly Paddington - Westbury service. A Local Transport
Forum also held in March was told that from early to mid 2030s new battery/electric trains are
proposed, but the battery range isn't quite there yet for Newbury to Westbury. BTPG doesn't want
the Westbury extension lost due to the wrong rolling stock being purchased.

If the Bedwyn line is blocked, can you use Didcot or Swindon? Measures are put in place for planned
closures, but for unscheduled events it is down to Control to make the decision. From past
experience these are slow in coming and often not communicated effectively to passengers. So what
if one just drove to Didcot or Swindon and presented oneself at the barrier? GWR responded that
you'd likely be allowed through, but there is no guarantee. If you had to pay for an additional ticket,
BTPG would take up your case with GWR management and request a refund.

The ticket machines (TVMs) do not offer the same walk-on fares available online; eg one can buy an
off-peak day return to Luton for the 0846 Bedwyn departure online, but even after 0830,
its TVM does not offer this option. GWR will soon have aligned TVMs with what is available online.