A NEW open access operator is revealing its plans to run trains between Yeovil and the Midlands from next year. This operator is a pioneer, because it has no shareholders hoping for a profit, but would be run on mutual interest principles.

Go! Co-operative describes itself as a ‘a multi-stakeholder transport co-operative’, and is setting out ambitious plans to run not only trains but also sponsor National Rail feeder routes using buses and light rail, and encourage car clubs.

So far, some £50,000 has been raised from ‘early stage investors’, but Go! hopes to attract further investment of £100,000 by the end of June.

The first service proposed on the National Rail network is from Yeovil Junction to Birmingham Moor Street via Westbury, Chippenham and Oxford, with a possible weekday extension southwards to Weymouth. Sunday trains would run from the outset between Weymouth and Birmingham. The draft timetable sets out four daily round trips between Yeovil and Oxford, with three of these extended to Birmingham.

Rolling stock would probably consist of Mk2 or Mk3 vehicles on a push-pull basis, similar to that used by Wrexham & Shropshire. In the longer term new diesel multiple units are possible, but Go! says that as yet there is no financial case for them.

Light rail is being investigated for the Andover--Ludgershall branch, with a possible extension to Tidworth. This line is being evaluated by Pre Metro Operations, which is an associate company of Parry People Movers, the source of ultra light rail vehicles for the Stourbridge Town branch. Although the Ludgershall branch is still open for Ministry of Defence movements, Go! says traffic along the line is ‘sparse’, and that it should be possible to accommodate a light rail shuttle. 

Other light rail lines being considered by Go! include Medstead to Alton, the Dudley area and Radstock to Kilmersdon.

However, Go! concedes that operating main line open access services is an ‘enormous challenge’. Preliminary negotiations have started with Network Rail and the Office of Rail Regulation, and Go! expects that it will take about nine months to achieve the vital Track Access Certificate.

Beyond that, acquiring rolling stock and premises are further hurdles that will have to be overcome before the service can start next year.

Meanwhile, the Labour Party has included a pledge to open up rail franchise applications to mutual, co-operative groups in its manifesto for the forthcoming General Election.

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