1. TransWilts June 2019
Alex Lawrie

2. Quite different, perfectly normal
We’re a co-operative, and a completely new entrant to the rail industry.
We are both a radical departure, and a perfectly normal train operator.
Open access rail typically has a premium offer based around direct services to London. We certainly don’t fit that mould.
But open access was always meant to mean innovation – and why not for public service?

3. Bottom up
We’re a radical departure because any service user can join; and user members democratically elect the board
We are an upside down business: instead of capital recruiting workers and passengers, they have recruited capital to meet their needs
Alongside financial accounts, we publish a social impact report each year – and our members decide whether it’s good enough.

4. Responsible as well as responsive
We are a perfectly normal train operator because we have not come to reinvent the wheel.
We share the goals, values and culture of the rail industry itself.
Building a functional timetable has to be a co-operative endeavour – that’s in everyone’s interests.

5. Why we’re needed in the south west

6. Indicators of success
Our mission statement is about reducing the impacts of transport:
environmental impacts from road congestion and carbon emissions
social divisions between car-dependent communities and networked urban cores.

7. The strategic route A new corridor is emerging as a vital
link between the
south west and
the midlands -
Taunton to Swindon.
But we haven’t forgotten
that some key
communities rely on
branch lines for access.

8. A new strategic corridor
TransWilts has had great success between Westbury and Swindon, but we do rely on continuing progress towards a clockface timetable – and more capacity.
If we have those two things, there is no contradiction between long distance connections and local stopping services.

9. A new strategic corridor
But what about the Great Western route to Oxford?
Flyovers
Passing loops
Why new stations could be the key