Let’s travel safely this summer as GWR announces enhanced getaway services

Additional train services for Devon and Cornwall have been announced from this weekend to help people returning to rail travel do so safely, but customers are reminded to consider others and wear a face covering, and to wash their hands regularly.
 
As more people return to rail after the easement of lockdown restrictions, train operator GWR has been working hard to welcome people back on to its services. 
 
This includes increased cleaning regimes and the use of a virucidal spray; extra staff at key stations to offer help and guidance; and processes in place to help customers maintain a safe distance where possible such as restricting the number of reservations available. 
 
GWR Interim Managing Director Matthew Golton said:
 
“As the lockdown eases and government advice on travel changes, we are seeing more people coming back to the railway. 
 
“Staff across GWR have been working hard and we continue to take sensible steps to look after ourselves and each other, and to start welcoming people more widely back on to the railway.
 
“An awful lot of hard work has been done to make sure people feel that they can travel safely, and that includes running more trains and carriages to make extra room. 
 
“From Saturday we will re-introduce even more services into our timetable as more people return to the train. Please do be considerate of others and wear a face covering unless you are exempt, be mindful of others; plan ahead; avoid busy times where possible; and do take advantage of the extra hand-washing facilities we have had installed.”
 
To further maximise space on board, from this weekend GWR has announced more trains for Devon and Cornwall, including restoring a significant number of direct London to Cornwall services.
 
The enhancements will mean three additional services from London Paddington on Saturdays from this Saturday [25 July]. Two will run to Plymouth and the third directly to Paignton, restoring direct services to Torbay in time for the summer. There will also be four more round trips (8 services) on local trains between Exeter/Plymouth and Penzance.  
 
During the week, the train operator will extend four London services through to Penzance, restoring direct London services to Cornwall. A further six round trips (12 services) from London Paddington will operate: two running to Exeter, one to Plymouth and three running direct to Paignton. In addition to the London services, there will also be a further three round trips (6 services) between Exeter/Plymouth and Penzance to provide the extra capacity needed to support safer travel through the summer. 
 
GWR is encouraging customers to travel safely this summer. People are reminded to:
 
• wear a face covering
• travel at quieter times where possible
• wash your hands more regularly
• buy tickets online, on a smart card or by using the GWR app

 
Notes to editors
Great Western Railway (GWR) provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services. We help over 100 million passengers reach their destinations every year - across South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, and large parts of Southern England.

We’re currently seeing the biggest investment in the network since Brunel so we can offer more trains, more seats, and shorter, more frequent journeys and continue the network’s heritage of helping connect more businesses to new and prosperous markets. Through a series of initiatives we aim to be a good neighbour to the communities we serve and are committed to making a positive social impact in those regions. Learn how we're Building a Greater West at GWR.com. GWR is a FirstGroup company.