Citizens' Rail

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  • More frequent Torbay train service launched

    More frequent Torbay train service launched

    South Devon residents and visitors are being encouraged to try the train following the launch of more frequent services between Newton Abbot, Torre, Torquay and Paignton.

    [divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]

    Four extra services are now running each way between Newton Abbot and Paignton (also calling at Torre and Torquay), as well as a further two additional stopping services each way between Exeter St Davids and Paignton.

    The new timetable means that there are at least two trains per hour throughout most of the day. The new services will provide more connections at Newton Abbot with main line trains to and from Exeter, Plymouth, Bristol and London.

    The improved service is thanks to Citizens’ Rail – the EU Interreg IVB project to develop local and regional railways in the UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands. Along with the extra trains, the project will also see improvements made to stations on the Riviera Line between Paignton and Exeter, a major marketing campaign, work to involve the community in the line and a new officer employed at the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership to coordinate activities.

    Local partners in the project – which is 50% funded by the Interreg IVB programme – include Devon County Council, Torbay Council, First Great Western, Plymouth University and the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership.

    To celebrate the European involvement, on Monday 9th December, passengers between Newton Abbot and Paignton were treated to complimentary French, German and Dutch lunchtime snacks on board, including pains au raisins, German gingerbread and Dutch waffles (see photos from the goodie giveaway).

    Speaking on behalf of First Great Western, Bid Director Matthew Golton said:
    “First Great Western is committed to supporting the communities we serve, and delighted to be part of Citizens’ Rail. The additional services will make using the train much more attractive during the week, with fares providing good value when compared with the price of driving and parking.”

    Cllr Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, said:
    “The improved services are starting at the perfect time to boost local shops in the run-up to Christmas. Looking further ahead, as more and more people take the train we hope that services can continue to be developed to meet our aim of two trains an hour between Exeter and Paignton. Working in partnership is the best way to make this happen.”

    Torbay Council’s Executive Lead for Highways, Transport and Environment, Cllr Ray Hill, said:
    “We welcome this exciting step forward for Torbay’s railway, the Riviera Line. The additional services complement the work already undertaken between Torbay Council, Network Rail and First Great Western to improve the appearance of our stations. Having frequent and reliable public transport is vital to making Torbay an even better place to live, work and to come and visit.”

    Torbay MP Adrian Sanders said:
    “This is an important project for Torbay’s residents and visitors alike, and one which I was very pleased to help launch at the Houses of Parliament. It is excellent to see the additional trains about to begin, delivering a welcome boost to the local economy in the run-up to Christmas. As passenger numbers grow, I hope this can be the springboard for further improvements to the service in the years to come.”

    Get the new timetable, enter a draw to win a pair of First Class tickets to London and find out more about the project at www.citizensrail.org/devon.

  • More frequent Torbay train service launched

    More frequent Torbay train service launched

    South Devon residents and visitors are being encouraged to try the train following the launch of more frequent services between Newton Abbot, Torre, Torquay and Paignton.

    [divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]

    Four extra services are now running each way between Newton Abbot and Paignton (also calling at Torre and Torquay), as well as a further two additional stopping services each way between Exeter St Davids and Paignton.

    The new timetable means that there are at least two trains per hour throughout most of the day. The new services will provide more connections at Newton Abbot with main line trains to and from Exeter, Plymouth, Bristol and London.

    The improved service is thanks to Citizens’ Rail – the EU Interreg IVB project to develop local and regional railways in the UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands. Along with the extra trains, the project will also see improvements made to stations on the Riviera Line between Paignton and Exeter, a major marketing campaign, work to involve the community in the line and a new officer employed at the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership to coordinate activities.

    Local partners in the project – which is 50% funded by the Interreg IVB programme – include Devon County Council, Torbay Council, First Great Western, Plymouth University and the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership.

    To celebrate the European involvement, on Monday 9th December, passengers between Newton Abbot and Paignton were treated to complimentary French, German and Dutch lunchtime snacks on board, including pains au raisins, German gingerbread and Dutch waffles (see photos from the goodie giveaway).

    Speaking on behalf of First Great Western, Bid Director Matthew Golton said:
    “First Great Western is committed to supporting the communities we serve, and delighted to be part of Citizens’ Rail. The additional services will make using the train much more attractive during the week, with fares providing good value when compared with the price of driving and parking.”

    Cllr Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, said:
    “The improved services are starting at the perfect time to boost local shops in the run-up to Christmas. Looking further ahead, as more and more people take the train we hope that services can continue to be developed to meet our aim of two trains an hour between Exeter and Paignton. Working in partnership is the best way to make this happen.”

    Torbay Council’s Executive Lead for Highways, Transport and Environment, Cllr Ray Hill, said:
    “We welcome this exciting step forward for Torbay’s railway, the Riviera Line. The additional services complement the work already undertaken between Torbay Council, Network Rail and First Great Western to improve the appearance of our stations. Having frequent and reliable public transport is vital to making Torbay an even better place to live, work and to come and visit.”

    Torbay MP Adrian Sanders said:
    “This is an important project for Torbay’s residents and visitors alike, and one which I was very pleased to help launch at the Houses of Parliament. It is excellent to see the additional trains about to begin, delivering a welcome boost to the local economy in the run-up to Christmas. As passenger numbers grow, I hope this can be the springboard for further improvements to the service in the years to come.”

    Get the new timetable, enter a draw to win a pair of First Class tickets to London and find out more about the project at www.citizensrail.org/devon.

  • Win a pair of First Class tickets to London

    Win a pair of First Class tickets to London

    First Great Western are offering the chance to win a pair of First Class return tickets to London in celebration of the more frequent train service between Newton Abbot, Torre, Torquay and Paignton.

    [divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]

    The improved timetable – which started on Monday 9th December – means that there are now 35 round trips between Newton Abbot and Paignton each weekday. For your chance to win the tickets, enter using the form below (or email your answers to info@citizensrail.org) by midday on Friday 20th December 2013.


    [box close=”false” color=”#d42053″ icon=”” ]Competition now closed – thanks for all your entries. The winner has been notified by telephone. Commiserations if you weren’t in luck this time.[/box]



    Terms and conditions

    1. All entries must be received by midday on Friday 20 December 2013.

    2. To enter, entrants must fully complete and return their entry form, including the correct answer to the competition question.

    3. The prize is two First Class Return First Great Western train tickets, to be used on First Great Western services only.

    4. The Free Prize Draw is only open to those who are 18 years or over and who are residents of the UK. Employees and immediate families of First Great Western Ltd, their agents and anyone professionally connected with the prize draw are not eligible to take part.

    5. The prize must be accepted as awarded and is non-transferable. There is no cash alternative. If, due to circumstances beyond First Great Western’s control, First Great Western are unable to provide the stated prize, they reserve the right to award a substitute prize of equal or greater value.

    6. Any extra costs incurred are not included within the prize.

    7. No liability or responsibility will be accepted for ensuring submitted entries are received by the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership.

    8. Neither First Great Western nor the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership will be held responsible for any elements of the prize.

    9. First Great Western reserves the right to check the validity of any entry. Entries failing to comply with these rules will not be accepted.

    10. The prize will be won by the entrant whose name is drawn first on the afternoon of 20 December 2013. This draw will be supervised by an independent adjudicator. The winner will be notified by email or telephone no later than 24 December 2013. To request the name and county of the winner, please send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership, School of Geography, Plymouth University, Plymouth, PL4 8AA after 17 January 2014.

    11. Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership will use its discretion to draw a replacement winner in the event of the prize remaining unclaimed two weeks after notification is sent to the email address provided by the original entrant.

    12. No purchase is necessary to enter.

    13. Entry implies acceptance of these rules.

    14. Only one entry is permitted per person.

    15. The prize is brought to you by the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership, School of Geography, Plymouth University, Plymouth, PL4 8AA and First Great Western Ltd, Milford House, 1 Milford Street, Swindon SN1 1HL. Registered number: 05113733.

  • Win a pair of First Class tickets to London

    Win a pair of First Class tickets to London

    First Great Western are offering the chance to win a pair of First Class return tickets to London in celebration of the more frequent train service between Newton Abbot, Torre, Torquay and Paignton.

    [divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]

    The improved timetable – which started on Monday 9th December – means that there are now 35 round trips between Newton Abbot and Paignton each weekday. For your chance to win the tickets, enter using the form below (or email your answers to info@citizensrail.org) by midday on Friday 20th December 2013.


    [box close=”false” color=”#d42053″ icon=”” ]Competition now closed – thanks for all your entries. The winner has been notified by telephone. Commiserations if you weren’t in luck this time.[/box]



    Terms and conditions

    1. All entries must be received by midday on Friday 20 December 2013.

    2. To enter, entrants must fully complete and return their entry form, including the correct answer to the competition question.

    3. The prize is two First Class Return First Great Western train tickets, to be used on First Great Western services only.

    4. The Free Prize Draw is only open to those who are 18 years or over and who are residents of the UK. Employees and immediate families of First Great Western Ltd, their agents and anyone professionally connected with the prize draw are not eligible to take part.

    5. The prize must be accepted as awarded and is non-transferable. There is no cash alternative. If, due to circumstances beyond First Great Western’s control, First Great Western are unable to provide the stated prize, they reserve the right to award a substitute prize of equal or greater value.

    6. Any extra costs incurred are not included within the prize.

    7. No liability or responsibility will be accepted for ensuring submitted entries are received by the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership.

    8. Neither First Great Western nor the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership will be held responsible for any elements of the prize.

    9. First Great Western reserves the right to check the validity of any entry. Entries failing to comply with these rules will not be accepted.

    10. The prize will be won by the entrant whose name is drawn first on the afternoon of 20 December 2013. This draw will be supervised by an independent adjudicator. The winner will be notified by email or telephone no later than 24 December 2013. To request the name and county of the winner, please send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership, School of Geography, Plymouth University, Plymouth, PL4 8AA after 17 January 2014.

    11. Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership will use its discretion to draw a replacement winner in the event of the prize remaining unclaimed two weeks after notification is sent to the email address provided by the original entrant.

    12. No purchase is necessary to enter.

    13. Entry implies acceptance of these rules.

    14. Only one entry is permitted per person.

    15. The prize is brought to you by the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership, School of Geography, Plymouth University, Plymouth, PL4 8AA and First Great Western Ltd, Milford House, 1 Milford Street, Swindon SN1 1HL. Registered number: 05113733.

  • Win a pair of First Class tickets to London

    Win a pair of First Class tickets to London

    First Great Western are offering the chance to win a pair of First Class return tickets to London in celebration of the more frequent train service between Newton Abbot, Torre, Torquay and Paignton.

    [divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]

    The improved timetable – which started on Monday 9th December – means that there are now 35 round trips between Newton Abbot and Paignton each weekday. For your chance to win the tickets, enter using the form below (or email your answers to info@citizensrail.org) by midday on Friday 20th December 2013.


    [box close=”false” color=”#d42053″ icon=”” ]Competition now closed – thanks for all your entries. The winner has been notified by telephone. Commiserations if you weren’t in luck this time.[/box]



    Terms and conditions

    1. All entries must be received by midday on Friday 20 December 2013.

    2. To enter, entrants must fully complete and return their entry form, including the correct answer to the competition question.

    3. The prize is two First Class Return First Great Western train tickets, to be used on First Great Western services only.

    4. The Free Prize Draw is only open to those who are 18 years or over and who are residents of the UK. Employees and immediate families of First Great Western Ltd, their agents and anyone professionally connected with the prize draw are not eligible to take part.

    5. The prize must be accepted as awarded and is non-transferable. There is no cash alternative. If, due to circumstances beyond First Great Western’s control, First Great Western are unable to provide the stated prize, they reserve the right to award a substitute prize of equal or greater value.

    6. Any extra costs incurred are not included within the prize.

    7. No liability or responsibility will be accepted for ensuring submitted entries are received by the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership.

    8. Neither First Great Western nor the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership will be held responsible for any elements of the prize.

    9. First Great Western reserves the right to check the validity of any entry. Entries failing to comply with these rules will not be accepted.

    10. The prize will be won by the entrant whose name is drawn first on the afternoon of 20 December 2013. This draw will be supervised by an independent adjudicator. The winner will be notified by email or telephone no later than 24 December 2013. To request the name and county of the winner, please send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership, School of Geography, Plymouth University, Plymouth, PL4 8AA after 17 January 2014.

    11. Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership will use its discretion to draw a replacement winner in the event of the prize remaining unclaimed two weeks after notification is sent to the email address provided by the original entrant.

    12. No purchase is necessary to enter.

    13. Entry implies acceptance of these rules.

    14. Only one entry is permitted per person.

    15. The prize is brought to you by the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership, School of Geography, Plymouth University, Plymouth, PL4 8AA and First Great Western Ltd, Milford House, 1 Milford Street, Swindon SN1 1HL. Registered number: 05113733.

  • Win a pair of First Class tickets to London

    Win a pair of First Class tickets to London

    First Great Western are offering the chance to win a pair of First Class return tickets to London in celebration of the more frequent train service between Newton Abbot, Torre, Torquay and Paignton.

    [divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]

    The improved timetable – which started on Monday 9th December – means that there are now 35 round trips between Newton Abbot and Paignton each weekday. For your chance to win the tickets, enter using the form below (or email your answers to info@citizensrail.org) by midday on Friday 20th December 2013.


    [box close=”false” color=”#d42053″ icon=”” ]Competition now closed – thanks for all your entries. The winner has been notified by telephone. Commiserations if you weren’t in luck this time.[/box]



    Terms and conditions

    1. All entries must be received by midday on Friday 20 December 2013.

    2. To enter, entrants must fully complete and return their entry form, including the correct answer to the competition question.

    3. The prize is two First Class Return First Great Western train tickets, to be used on First Great Western services only.

    4. The Free Prize Draw is only open to those who are 18 years or over and who are residents of the UK. Employees and immediate families of First Great Western Ltd, their agents and anyone professionally connected with the prize draw are not eligible to take part.

    5. The prize must be accepted as awarded and is non-transferable. There is no cash alternative. If, due to circumstances beyond First Great Western’s control, First Great Western are unable to provide the stated prize, they reserve the right to award a substitute prize of equal or greater value.

    6. Any extra costs incurred are not included within the prize.

    7. No liability or responsibility will be accepted for ensuring submitted entries are received by the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership.

    8. Neither First Great Western nor the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership will be held responsible for any elements of the prize.

    9. First Great Western reserves the right to check the validity of any entry. Entries failing to comply with these rules will not be accepted.

    10. The prize will be won by the entrant whose name is drawn first on the afternoon of 20 December 2013. This draw will be supervised by an independent adjudicator. The winner will be notified by email or telephone no later than 24 December 2013. To request the name and county of the winner, please send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership, School of Geography, Plymouth University, Plymouth, PL4 8AA after 17 January 2014.

    11. Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership will use its discretion to draw a replacement winner in the event of the prize remaining unclaimed two weeks after notification is sent to the email address provided by the original entrant.

    12. No purchase is necessary to enter.

    13. Entry implies acceptance of these rules.

    14. Only one entry is permitted per person.

    15. The prize is brought to you by the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership, School of Geography, Plymouth University, Plymouth, PL4 8AA and First Great Western Ltd, Milford House, 1 Milford Street, Swindon SN1 1HL. Registered number: 05113733.

  • Passenger surveys on the Riviera Line

    Passenger surveys on the Riviera Line

    If you’re travelling on the Riviera Line in Torbay this week (18-22 November 2013), look out for the passenger survey being circulated by our friendly team – your chance to help us prioritise improvements for the future.

    [divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]

    The survey (available here as a PDF) gives passengers the chance to tell Citizens’ Rail about their journey and to give us your views about the stations and services on the Riviera Line (Exeter to Paignton).

    It will be followed next week with a passenger count to establish baseline statistics for how many people are currently using the line, before the improved services begin on 9th December.

    [icon size=”14px” color=”#d42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-circle-arrow-right” spacing=”0px” /] Find out more about our Devon project.

  • Passenger surveys on the Riviera Line

    Passenger surveys on the Riviera Line

    If you’re travelling on the Riviera Line in Torbay this week (18-22 November 2013), look out for the passenger survey being circulated by our friendly team – your chance to help us prioritise improvements for the future.

    [divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]

    The survey (available here as a PDF) gives passengers the chance to tell Citizens’ Rail about their journey and to give us your views about the stations and services on the Riviera Line (Exeter to Paignton).

    It will be followed next week with a passenger count to establish baseline statistics for how many people are currently using the line, before the improved services begin on 9th December.

    [icon size=”14px” color=”#d42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-circle-arrow-right” spacing=”0px” /] Find out more about our Devon project.

  • Passenger surveys on the Riviera Line

    Passenger surveys on the Riviera Line

    If you’re travelling on the Riviera Line in Torbay this week (18-22 November 2013), look out for the passenger survey being circulated by our friendly team – your chance to help us prioritise improvements for the future.

    [divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]

    The survey (available here as a PDF) gives passengers the chance to tell Citizens’ Rail about their journey and to give us your views about the stations and services on the Riviera Line (Exeter to Paignton).

    It will be followed next week with a passenger count to establish baseline statistics for how many people are currently using the line, before the improved services begin on 9th December.

    [icon size=”14px” color=”#d42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-circle-arrow-right” spacing=”0px” /] Find out more about our Devon project.

  • Passenger surveys on the Riviera Line

    Passenger surveys on the Riviera Line

    If you’re travelling on the Riviera Line in Torbay this week (18-22 November 2013), look out for the passenger survey being circulated by our friendly team – your chance to help us prioritise improvements for the future.

    [divider type=”default” vspace=”20px” hspace=”0%” /]

    The survey (available here as a PDF) gives passengers the chance to tell Citizens’ Rail about their journey and to give us your views about the stations and services on the Riviera Line (Exeter to Paignton).

    It will be followed next week with a passenger count to establish baseline statistics for how many people are currently using the line, before the improved services begin on 9th December.

    [icon size=”14px” color=”#d42053″ background=”#ffffff” radius=”0px” type=”icon-circle-arrow-right” spacing=”0px” /] Find out more about our Devon project.