The main stations covered by the First Great Western train lines are Swindon, Oxford, Reading, Didcot Parkway, Cardiff Central, Exeter St David’s, Bristol Temple Meads, Temple Parkway and Bath Spa. Their trains also stop at 200 other stations. Passengers can take advantage of on board services such as power points for laptops and trolley services for food and drink. The complimentary company magazine ‘Go Do…’ is also available for passengers to read.
First Great Western train services also connect to many of the major airports in the UK. Direct routes are available to Southampton, Heathrow and Gatwick. First Great Western also works in close connection with bus services to offer choice for passengers travelling on to Exeter, Cardiff and Bristol airports. The rail and bus link is also available for passengers travelling from Reading to Heathrow. Direct Heathrow train services operate from London Paddington station. Passengers travelling to Gatwick can take a direct First Great Western train from Reading to the airport.
There are many options for train tickets. Regular travellers making three or more journeys per week may get better value from a season ticket. These can be bought online or at train stations. They can last for as little as one week or as long as one year. Limited travel options are available through off-peak, off-peak day returns, ranger and rover tickets, which restrict the times, you can travel. Buy anytime tickets do not have to be purchased in advance and there are no restrictions on the travel times. Advance tickets offer amazing value for money but they are restricted to the train times detailed on your ticket.
Popularity: 13% [?]
The First Hull train services commenced in 2000 and run between Hull and London’s King’s Cross station. Over the past nine years these services have begun to include many more stations along the route from the Humber Region to the nation’s capital city. First Hull services now call at Hull, Brough, Howden, Selby, Doncaster, Retford, Grantham and Stevenage before arriving at King’s Cross.
There are seven timetabled services travelling each way between Hull and London on weekdays and five services on Saturdays and Sundays. The fastest service to London takes two hours and thirty two minutes.
According to timetables valid until December 2009, the earliest weekday train leaving Hull for London is at 06.25 and this arrives in London at 09.17. Trains also leave Hull for King’s Cross at 08.12, 10.12, 12.45, 15.18, 17.06 and the last train to London is at 19.18 and arrives at 21.58. The first train on Saturdays is at 08.02 and Sunday’s earliest service is at 10.12.
The first Hull-bound train from King’s Cross on weekdays is at 07.20 and the last train is at 08.30. The first train to Hull on Saturdays is at 09.34 and 10.44 on Sundays.
First Hull advertises the fares for these services in different categories of travel, although all fares are subject to availability. The Standard Advance 1 train fare is advertised at £15 for a single journey. A Standard Advance 2 fare is £27 and Standard Advance 3 is £32. The Standard Advance 4 fare is only available on the 19.18 service from Hull and the 20.27 service from London on weekdays. An Anytime Open Ticket costs £65 for standard travel and £110 for first class. A Hull’s Trains Saver ticket is available for off-peak travel at £45.
Popularity: 12% [?]
Five stations in Derbyshire and Cheshire are being upgraded by regional train operator First North Western.
Davenport, Hadfield, Hazel Grove, Marple and New Mills Newtown will, over the next few months, have a variety of new facilities installed to not only provide better information to customers, but also to increase safety and make waiting areas more comfortable.
Popularity: 39% [?]
Regional trains operator, First North Western, is launching a package of initiatives designed to deter anti-social behavior and improve safety for their passengers and staff.
Measures include DNA swabbing kits and panic alarms being issued to front-line staff, as well as a campaign to raise customer awareness of how they are tackling security issues.
Historically, it has been difficult to catch or convict those responsible for anti-social behavior due to lack of evidence. The DNA swabbing kit is being issued by FNW, in conjunction with the British Transport Police, to its front-line staff, in a bid to catch those who spit at staff. The kit is used to retrieve saliva from the victim’s skin and then this evidence can be used to search for the offender on the national DNA database. If found, the culprit can then be prosecuted in court.
Following a successful trial earlier this year, panic alarms are to be issued to over 1600 customer-facing staff, as they are proving to be a useful deterrent against unruly behaviour on our trains.
FNW’s Safety Manager, Martyn Guiver, said: “The safety of our customers and staff is our number one priority and we are constantly looking for ways to improve security on our services. This new package of initiatives demonstrates our zero tolerance of any anti-social behaviour towards our staff and our commitment to prosecuting any individuals involved in such incidents”.
The customer awareness poster campaign has been launched at stations across the North West to communicate FNW’s policies regarding the security of their passengers and staff on the trainline.
Popularity: 36% [?]
First North Western conductor Terry Mooney will be swapping checking passengers tickets for collecting money for the Francis House Hospice in Manchester when he and his wife undertake a night of sponsored line dancing.
Popularity: 40% [?]
Tickets available from Manchester Victoria, Rochdale and St.Helens Central only or from telesales on 0870 241 6061.
Monday to Friday only.
Strictly no travel Saturday and Sunday.
Popularity: 36% [?]
Travel Insurance
Traveling by train is only one method of transport in the UK. There are other transport means such as car, coach, plane or boat. Which ever transport method you choose then there is one thing that you need to consider if you are going on a journey, and this is travel insurance.
Popularity: 33% [?]
