CELEBRATIONS have been in full swing marking 12 months since the introduction of new half-hourly trains in Yate. 

The service between Bristol and Gloucester - including Filton Abbey Wood, Bristol Parkway and Yate - was officially launched in May last year following a timetable upgrade.

Previously, trains would run every hour between Yate and Bristol.

The new and improved services were funded by a £7 million-plus investment by the Mayoral Combined Authority in May 2023, and delivered by GWR, and Network Rail.

However, previously the upgrade was criticised by some commuters for missing out Cam and Dursley railway station - despite being on the same Bristol line. 

A GWR spokesperson at the time told the Gazette that the improvements would not affect Cam and Dursley due the new Charfield station and time constraints.

Meanwhile, officials say the services between Bristol and Gloucester (including Yate) and Bristol and Westbury have clocked up more than 3.4 million journeys.

This is a year-on-year increase in passengers of 27 per cent.

Dan Norris, West of England Mayor, said: “Growing passenger numbers is my biggest priority in terms of building the sustainable West of England public transport system we all want to see.
 
“I’m pleased to see the uptake in these half-hourly services benefitting residents in Keynsham, Yate and elsewhere funded thanks to my multi-million-pound programme of rail improvements. 

“That’s doing things like funding enhanced services, and building seven new stations in our region.”
 
GWR Business Development Portfolio Director, Tom Pierpoint, said: “It is fantastic to see how well these extra services are doing, helping people to make more sustainable transport choices across the West of England.

“The new services better connect people with jobs, students with education services, and leisure opportunities for all – providing valuable support for the community and local economies.”