Great Western Railway ran the first of its restored direct services between Bristol Temple Meads and Oxford, the first in more than 20 years.
In response to growth in demand for leisure travel by train, GWR operatest two return Saturday services between the cities from Saturday 14 September.
A direct service last ran in 2003.
Customers will be able to take in iconic sights for these two popular destinations, with quickest direct journey times between the two cities starting from one hour 11 minutes.
“We’re always looking at innovative ways of creating new business and improving connectivity. Changing customer patterns since Covid have provided a clear opportunity for us to expand our leisure offering and the Bristol-Oxford route is one which offers real potential,” GWR Managing Director Mark Hopwood said.
“A direct service between Oxford, Swindon, Bath and Bristol would be a real boost to the region and the benefits of living and doing business here. Having direct connectivity between some of the world’s best Universities, businesses and tourist attractions is a fantastic positive and we think will prove very popular. We hope this new ‘brain train’ service will grow from strength to strength and make residents, business and investors really excited about all that the great western region has to offer,” Matt Griffith, Director of Policy, Business West said.
GWR has requested to run the following services from September 14, including stops at Bath Spa, Chippenham and Swindon:
1018 Bristol Temple Meads-Oxford
- Calling at Bath Spa (1031); Chippenham (1044); Swindon 1058) and Oxford (1129)
1203 Oxford-Bristol Temple Meads
- Calling at Swindon (1234); Chippenham (1245); Bath Spa (1300) and Bristol Temple Meads (1312)
1518 Bristol Temple Meads-Oxford
- Calling at Bath Spa (1531); Chippenham (1545); Swindon (1600) and Oxford (1631)
1712 Oxford-Bristol Temple Meads
- Calling at Swindon (1746); Chippenham (1758); Bath Spa (1811) and Bristol Temple Meads (1823)
The new services are part of a trial to assess demand and will run until December, running throughout the period of the Bath and Oxford Christmas markets.
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