Bath MP Ben Howlett welcomes the award of South Western Rail Franchise to First Group

This morning sees the South Western Rail Franchise awarded to First Group who already run the Great Western services through Bath. This award will see significant benefits to Bath passengers including the journey time from Bath to London Waterloo being reduced by 10 minutes from December 2018 plus all the London Waterloo trains being updated and refurbished by 2020. The modernised trains will have wifi that is five times faster as well as an accessible charging point at every seat and the ability for passengers to download films and TV within each carriage.

Bath MP, Ben Howlett said of the award

“I am delighted with the planned improvements to the rail services between Bath and London. I very regularly use the train to travel between Westminster and home in Bath and the improvements in wifi speed will make working on board significantly easier.

I very much hope this improved integration of rail services across the South West will bring significant benefits to train users and encourage more people to use the rail network to reduce pressure on our roads.”