Anger as GWR hikes train fares for Pewsey and Bedwyn

They were shocked when GWR announced that the cost of using the 8.17am train from Pewsey, which is replacing the 8.10am service, will be £120 for a return fare instead of £53.60.

From Bedwyn, those who use the 8.41am train which arrives in Paddington just before 10am will have to pay £63.10 instead of £30.80.

Angry people have taken to social media to complain about the huge price hike and a public meeting where GWR will be present has been organised for October 31 at the Bouverie Hall in Pewsey starting at 6.45pm.

Among those upset by the change is Jane Taylor who said her husband, who has to attend hospital appointments in London at fixed times, would have no alternative but to pay the £120 return fare.

Robin White was outraged to see the huge price change and said: “The biggest shocker is that the current 8.10am off-peak train has been replaced by the 8.17am peak-time train.”

Jenny Harker wrote on social media: “We should renationalise the railways so as to encourage people to use public transport to cut emissions.

“This just encourages people to take the car and in other instances a plane ride. The government has supposedly declared a climate emergency but they are doing nothing.”

Jane Bryant said: “How can anyone afford to work in London? How do people take children on day trips in school holidays as this makes an early start for a good day out unaffordable.”

Clive Tillotson said: “That’s shocking. How can this be justified?

Dawn Wilson from the Pewsey Vale Rail User Group said a GWR representative would be at the meeting on October 31 to explain the new timetable.

A GWR spokesman said: “These have always been peak-time trains, but historically the level of service from these stations – including the length, speed and quality of train – didn’t match our offer elsewhere on the network, and we offered them at off-peak prices to reflect that.

“However, with new, improved trains and faster journey times that have been developed in recent years, there is no longer that differentiation compared to the rest of the network, and the reason for offering those concessions is no longer there.”

Steve Smith from the Bedwyn Rail Passenger Group said: “There is some upset, particularly surrounding the 8.31am being made full fare. A number of people have built their work/life around this service and are understandably upset by the announcement.”

"GWR have made it possible to buy reduced fare advanced purchase tickets for this service up to 6pm the day before. We are hoping this will help. A number of key evening services have also been made full fare."

PASSENGERS who use trains to London from Bedwyn and Pewsey are furious that fares are set to rise by more than 100 per cent from January.

They were shocked when GWR announced that the cost of the 8.17am train from Pewsey, which is replacing the 8.10am service, is to cost £120 for a return fare instead of £53.60.

At Bedwyn those who use the 8.41am train which arrives in Paddington just before 10am will have to pay £63.10 instead of £30.80.

Many people have taken to social media to complain about the huge price hike and a public meeting has been organised for October 31 at the Bouverie Hall in Pewsey starting at 6.45pm.

Among those upset by the change is Jane Taylor who said her husband, who has to attend hospital appointments in London at fixed times, would have no alternative but to pay the £120 return fare.

Robin White was outraged to see the huge price change and said: “The biggest shocker is that the current 08.10 off-peak train has been replaced by the 0817 peak-time train.”

Jenny Harker wrote on social media: “We should renationalise the railways so as to encourage people to use public transport to cut emissions.

“This just encourages people to take the car and in other instances a plane ride. The government has supposedly declared a climate emergency but they are doing nothing.”

Jane Bryant said: “How can anyone afford to work in London? How do people take children on day trips in school holidays as this makes an early start for a good day out unaffordable.”

Clive Tillotson said: “That’s shocking. How can this be justified?

Dawn Wilson from the Pewsey Vale Rail User Group said GWR representative would be at the meeting on October 31 to present the new timetable.

A GWR spokesman said: “These have always been peak-time trains, but historically the level of service from these stations – including the length, speed and quality of train – didn’t match our offer elsewhere on the network, and we offered them at off-peak prices to reflect that.

“However, with new, improved trains and faster journey times that have been developed in recent years, there is no longer that differentiation compared to the rest of the network, and the reason for offering those concessions is no longer there.”

Steve Smith from the Bedwyn Rail Passenger Group said: “There is some upset, particularly surrounding the 0831 being made full fare. A number of people have built their work / life around this service and are understandably upset by the announcement.”

GWR have made it possible to buy reduced fare advanced purchase tickets for this service up to 6 p.m. the day before. We are hoping this will help.

“A number of key evening services have also been made full fare.

The GWR spokesman added: “Practically, we need to manage expected heavier loadings on our fast and semi-fast trains. Without differentiation between peak and off-peak we run a greater risk of crowded trains, where season ticket holders and peak ticket holders would be less likely to get a seat.

“There are still significantly discounted journeys available: customers can choose to change for slower services from Reading, which continue to reflect off-peak prices, and we have also recently introduced Advance Purchase fares.”