Mid Cornwall Metro sees passenger boost despite launch event train failure

Passenger journeys on the Mid Cornwall Metro route increased by almost 25 per cent in the first week of the new service, according to rail operator Great Western Railway.

The company says there were 726 more journeys between Newquay and Par between Sunday 17 May and Saturday 23 May compared with the same period last year.

The biggest increase came on the first Saturday of operation, when passenger numbers were up by 50 per cent, equating to an additional 429 journeys.

However, a launch event to mark the first phase of the project did not go entirely to plan after a train broke down on the line near Nansledan.

A spokesperson for GWR said: "Unfortunately, we had a broken-down train on the 0707 service from Par to Newquay.

"Road replacement transport was provided for customers and no guests missed the event.

"Services resumed from 1217, which meant guests were able to return to Par on the train."

The new timetable introduced in May provides 15 local trains between Par and Newquay from Monday to Friday, 14 on Saturdays and eight on Sundays – the highest number of services ever operated on the Atlantic Coast Line.

Direct summer services between London Paddington and Newquay have also been reinstated, bringing the total number of weekday services to 17.

GWR says the project is designed to improve rail connectivity across Cornwall. When fully completed, it will link Newquay, St Austell, Truro, Penryn and Falmouth.

The next phase is due to begin next year, extending through services beyond Par to Truro, Penryn and Falmouth.

GWR Head of Strategic Service Development, Matt Barnes, said the early figures demonstrated strong demand for the new services.

He said: "These early passenger figures are hugely encouraging and show there is real demand for more frequent rail services in Cornwall.

"Mid Cornwall Metro is already making it easier for people to travel between communities for work, education and leisure, while helping support the local economy and more sustainable travel choices.

"We've always known these services would be transformational and these figures reflect the strong partnership working that has gone into delivering this major improvement for the region."

Radio Newquay was not invited to attend either the latest launch event or a previous media event linked to the Mid Cornwall Metro project.