UK rail passengers that use the Gloucester to Bristol line will soon have an additional morning service. Beginning at the end of May, the extra service has been implemented after a string of complaints arose over overcrowding at peak morning and afternoon times, which resulted in many passengers being unable to sit down for their journey.

Despite the additional service, the body that is charged with promoting the interest of British public transport users, TravelWatch SouthWest, has claimed that there is still room for further improvement, particularly on late afternoon and evening services. According to the train operator, First Western (FGW), the issue is that there is simply a lack of current availability to purchase more rolling stock. Julian Crow, general manager for FGW’s west England division, said the problem was the same across Britain.

TravelWatch SouthWest spokesperson Frank Chambers said that the overcrowding on the Gloucester to Bristol line was indeed a major problem, especially around the Yate area, where early mornings and late afternoons are especially problematic. Chambers said that the lingering effects of the recession, which have turned more and more travellers towards train travel, show no signs of abating. With more train travellers, there is a need for more solutions as the problem continues to grow.