The holiday season means many more people travelling by train to see friends and family. If you’re planning a GWR train journey this December, read on for ways to help make it as easy as possible.
Pre-book your Passenger Assist
Christmas is the busiest time of year for Passenger Assist so make sure you pre-book your assistance in advance.
On your day of travel day, aim to arrive at the station at least 20 minutes before the train is due. This will leave plenty of time to get to your platform and meet the staff member helping you.
To book assistance, you can fill in the online form, use the app or call the freephone number (0800 197 1329).
Image: Bristol GWR Disability Film BTS by Charlie Budd The Tall Photographer-2319 + embedded link to https://www.gwr.com/travel-information/passenger-assist
Luggage
Luggage space is in great demand over the festive period. GWR’s luggage policy clearly sets out what can and can’t be brought on-board to help make enough space for everyone.
If you can’t find any space for your luggage on the train, speak on-board staff who will find space in a different carriage. So always make sure you label and lock any cases!
Image: ChippenhamSnow2 + embedded link to https://www.gwr.com/travel-information/travel-updates/planned-engineering/christmas
Christmas services and rail improvement works
For anyone travelling with GWR up to Christmas Eve, there are no major planned alterations. On Christmas Eve itself, train services will finish earlier, and no Great Western Railway trains will run on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.
From 27 to 29 December, no main line trains will run to or from London Paddington. This is to allow for work on the new HS2 station at Old Oak Common in west London, and Network Rail improvements to track, signals and overhead wires between Reading and Paddington.
Alternative routes are available so you will still be able to get where you need to go. However, some journeys may take longer than usual and may also pose additional accessibility challenges.
Visit GWR’s Christmas travel page for more information.
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