Graham do you think that the decline in journey numbers on the Transwilts from Melksham could be due to some degree to customers perceiving it as unreliable, given the number of cancellations etc?

It is - always - worth a quick thought on splitting when analysing figures - and indeed over / under runs too.  Historically,  a lot of people bought "Melksham Specials" with no intent of travelling to, from or through Melksham and I know a host of examples where it's better to buy a longer distance ticket.

...
Transwilts to the rescue!

21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58 will be cancelled.

22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:16 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

The spokesperson said it was hoped the price increase would "discourage high volumes" of customers using the drop-off car park and instead mean people are more likely to use public transport.

From the BBC:

Bristol Airport drop-off charges to increase

The fee to drop passengers off at Bristol Airport will increase by £1.50 after a series of yearly rises.

From Monday, it will cost £8.50 to park for 10 minutes at the Drop Off & Pick Up car park next to the terminal, as well as the Short Stay car park a short walk away.

A spokesperson for Bristol Airport said the increase was due to Chancellor Rachel Reeves' recent budget, which it said would see the airport's business rates bill significantly increase.

A spokesperson for the Treasury said it had delivered a £4.2bn support package to cap business rates, adding airports must follow consumer law and justify their charges.

The charge for the car parks has risen a number of times in recent years, going from £5 to £6 in 2024 and up to £7 in 2025.

Bristol Airport said the prices for parking in the Minibus and Over Height car park would be increasing from £7 to £8.50 for five minutes, and from £9 to £10.50 for five to 20 minutes. Blue badge holders dropping off family and friends will still be allowed to use the drop-off car park for up to 40 minutes, but for an increased cost of £8.50.

A recent analysis of government figures by news agency PA Media found regional airports were among those facing the sharpest increases in business rates of any sector.

A government spokesperson said: "Airports are responsible for setting their own parking terms but must follow consumer law and justify their charges. We're delivering a £4.3bn support package to cap business rates bill increases at 30% before other reliefs for the largest properties, including airports. Without intervention those would be up to 500%."

The airport said the new rates would become its "single biggest non-operational cost".

"Unfortunately, like other airports, some of the cost will be passed on to consumers," they said, adding that the decision was "needed to balance protecting people's jobs as well as its commitment to improving the customer journey" with plans to reach net zero targets by 2030.

The spokesperson said it was hoped the price increase would "discourage high volumes" of customers using the drop-off car park and instead mean people are more likely to use public transport. The Bristol Airport flyer is one option for passengers, with the bus costing £9 for an adult return from Bristol or £7 for an adult return from Weston-super-Mare. The airport spokesperson said passengers could also make use of a free shuttle bus from its waiting zone, with the zone's capacity set to double.

Very interesting

Taplow to Paddington shows a 54.2% drop and (perhaps a better representation!) Maidenhead to Paddington a 36.6% drop - I think that'd almost certainly be due to increased WFH in the Thames Valley.

If you are affected by the rather inclement weather, and choose to stay at home rather than venturing out, you may find some idle amusement in tracking the many gritter lorries in Scotland.

No, really: they all have some rather apt names, and you can see where each of them is, realtime, at https://www.traffic.gov.scot/gritter-tracker .

Well, it kept me quiet for a few minutes. 

Following a safety inspection on a train earlier today between Westbury and Reading the line towards Reading has now reopened.

Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

(Snip)

Network Rail have now fixed the fault, and trains are able to run, but at a reduced speed.

While we can now run trains, we expect there to be significant disruption until the end of the day as our trains and crew are no longer in the right place, and there will be further cancellations and alterations.

Our advice remains to not attempt to travel on the following routes today:
> South Wales to London Paddington.
> Bristol to London Paddington.
> West of England to London Paddington.

Weather warnings extended as ice and snow blanket parts of UK



Snow and ice blanketing the UK could last into the weekend and beyond as the Met Office extends weather warnings.

The most severe conditions will be seen in Scotland, where amber snow warnings came into effect from midday Friday. Yellow snow and ice warnings are in place elsewhere until Monday.

Up to 40cm (15in) of snow could hit parts of Scotland on Friday, while the Met Office predicts as much as 5cm in areas across England and Wales.

Delays and cancellations to rail and air travel, disruption on the roads and power cuts are all expected as a result of the wintry conditions, the weather service added.

(BBC article continues)