Half-hourly rail services on some lines in the West are set to continue permanently, after agreement with the Department for Transport.
Since the regional authority, in partnership with Great Western Railway, introduced more frequent services on several lines, there have been more than three million more train journeys on those routes.
The half-hourly trains have boosted rail connections on many routes, including: Bristol Temple Meads to Gloucester, via Yate, also stopping at Filton Abbey Wood and Bristol Parkway.
The Mayor of the West of England, Helen Godwin, has repeatedly spoken of the need to further increase the frequency of train services across the West. A longer-term ambition is for there to be four trains per hour to serve stations across the network.
Helen Godwin said: “Half-hourly services between Westbury, Gloucester via Yate, Severn Beach, and Bristol Temple Meads are important for local commuters, giving people more options to travel on our growing regional rail network. Our new agreement to protect these regular services is welcome news for passengers across the West Country.”
Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, Co-Leader of South Glos Council, said: “The continuation of half hourly rail services is very welcome news for South Gloucestershire. Residents will have more choice and flexibility to move around the area, with improved access to work, education and essential services. This also reinforces our wider ambition to create a transport system that supports our communities, reduces congestion and makes sustainable travel a natural choice for everyday journeys.”