Daily direct services between Bristol, Swindon and Oxford to return

Direct services between Bristol Temple Meads, Swindon and Oxford will run every two hours from Monday, providing daily links between the three destinations for the first time in more than 20 years.

The new services will run Monday to Saturday, calling at Bristol Temple Meads, Bath Spa, Chippenham, Swindon and Oxford.

The first service leaves Oxford at 0700 on Monday, arriving into Swindon at 0730 and Bristol Temple Meads at 0820. From Bristol, the first train will leave at 0714, arriving into Swindon at 0759 and Oxford at 0832.

Quickest direct journey times from Oxford will be one hour 8 minutes, and from Bristol one hour 11 minutes.

To mark the launch, Great Western Railway is offering a range of special deals on fares for the first month, with Advance Purchase tickets on the new services available from around half the usual price.

GWR and Network Rail’s Western route have worked closely to ensure services can be restored as part of the railway’s May timetable change.

This follows initial safety measures being put in place along the route ahead of services starting, and further safety improvements in the months to come, as discussed with the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).

Swindon South MP and Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, said:

“The new weekday direct service is great news for Swindon. The weekend trial of direct trains was hugely popular, and this new weekday service will provide a fast, convenient alternative to being stuck in a traffic jam on the A420.

“Along with Will Stone, the MP for Swindon North, this is something I have long championed on behalf of residents.

“Stronger transport links are vital to unlocking opportunity, and this service is a clear example of what can be delivered when local and national partners work together."

GWR Managing Director Mark Hopwood CBE said the new direct services would be transformational.

He said:

“We know this is something customers and partners have been campaigning for over recent years, and we’re very grateful to those who have supported our case to make this happen.

“The economic and social benefits are clear, and we are confident that these new services demonstrate the value of rail in driving economic growth, environmental benefits, and creating education and employment opportunities which previously were not possible – as well as directly linking two of the key leisure markets in the UK.”

Network Rail Western Route Director, Marcus Jones BEM, said:

“Reintroducing direct services between Bristol, Swindon and Oxford is a significant step in improving connectivity across the Western route. We’ve worked closely with Great Western Railway to make sure the infrastructure is ready to support these services safely and reliably, and this is an important milestone following the initial safety work we’ve completed.

“These links will make it easier for people to travel between key economic centres, opening up new opportunities for work, education and leisure, while we continue to deliver further improvements across the route in the months ahead.”

Business West Director of Policy, Matt Griffith, said:

“Having direct connectivity between some of the world’s best universities, businesses and tourist attractions is a fantastic positive and we think will prove very popular.

“It is great news for Swindon – which can provide the business premises and space for the bright ideas and start-ups of Oxford to grow faster and further, while residents can now benefit from the great value of Swindon’s housing to work in Oxford’s dynamic economy. It’s a massive win-win for residents and businesses.

“For Bath and Bristol, this service provides a direct link for businesses and researchers into the Ox-Cam Growth Corridor, spreading the benefits of one of the UK’s strongest growth areas and strengthening the reputation and dynamism of our wider region.”

A new report produced by Development Economics, and commissioned by GWR, shows how Britain’s regional rail network supports jobs, homes, businesses and opportunity across the country.

The Growing Places report estimates that by 2036, development across Britain’s regional rail network could support over 1 million jobs and generate nearly £79 billion in annual economic value.

GWR launched a trial of Saturday services between Bristol and Oxford in 2024, in response to a growth in demand for leisure travel by train.

The last direct services between the two iconic destinations had previously run in 2003.