The issue I have is the train service being every 30 mins so not really appealing. I’ll probably still use the buses or brave the walk down the A33 but it is good to have another viable option, especially those living south of Reading.
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Reading Green Park Station
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swt_passenger
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What were you hoping for, or expecting? It was never going to be greater than the existing Reading to Basingstoke frequency, although that was supposed to be going up to 3 tph in the peaks IIRC.
Bread & cheese
Member
There are half a dozen pictures and a short video interview at:
Green Park Station officially unveiled by Reading’s new mayor
ON THURSDAY, May 25, Green Park Station was officially unveiled by Reading Borough Council and Great Western Railway. The newly-appointed
rdg.today
Of course but I’m not sure how appealing it would be for match day fans. But definitely a plus to have another option to and from the stadium, and for the business workers in Green Park too. This has been in the works for a long time so it is good to finally see the station up and running.
Thank youThere are half a dozen pictures and a short video interview at:
Green Park Station officially unveiled by Reading’s new mayor
ON THURSDAY, May 25, Green Park Station was officially unveiled by Reading Borough Council and Great Western Railway. The newly-appointed
AlbertBeale
Established Member
Is there any scope for a more frequent local service at peak times, or when the stadium is in use? Doubling to 4tph makes it virtually turn-up-and-go, and the difference in perception might more than double passenger numbers.
Not without putting a turnback in - 4tph on Reading-Basingstoke would kill a serious amount of freight paths as well as putting serious if not unsustainable pressure on the Basingstoke bay platform. Putting a turnback crossover/siding in would be pricey as you then need signalling design, and I suspect the case for the station would have been severely hampered if the budget had included a turnback option.
Now the station's in, of course, a later turnback would be it's own project (or integrated into a wider programme).
Local news report:
rdg.today
Green Park Station officially unveiled by Reading’s new mayor
ON THURSDAY, May 25, Green Park Station was officially unveiled by Reading Borough Council and Great Western Railway. The newly-appointed
rdg.today
Interestingly, there doesn't seem to be a fare available to Reading Group.
Technically, if you count the various press trips
AlbertBeale
Established Member
It shows as not accepting cash - is that just because it's "not properly switched on" until the official service on Saturday?
mangyiscute
Established Member
Got on the first train this morning and it was great to see around 30-40 on the train with me, and another 30-40 waiting on the platform for this first train at 05:50. Its a nice new station, two long platforms (i think they could take 5/6 coach trains because the southbound platform has a marker for 4 coach trains to stop a decent length away from the end of the platform). Hopefully it sees a lot of new passengers.
However it's worth noting that it just won't be useful to football fans from reading station with the current service. For a 3pm kickoff, you'd want to reach Reading Green Park by latest 14:40 since its a 20 minute walk. The trains get there at 14:14 and 14:44 from Reading, so assuming you take the 14:14 one, you are leaving reading station at 14:07. The buses that run are literally every 2 minutes, and I usually aim to join the queue around 14:20-14:30 to safely reach the ground before kick off. Therefore, I would never choose to take the train over the bus, when if the train gets too popular its gonna be a jam packed 2/3 coach. It will be useful for fans coming from the south from basingstoke, but I don't think it's gonna be used by as many fans as they seem to expect.
However it's worth noting that it just won't be useful to football fans from reading station with the current service. For a 3pm kickoff, you'd want to reach Reading Green Park by latest 14:40 since its a 20 minute walk. The trains get there at 14:14 and 14:44 from Reading, so assuming you take the 14:14 one, you are leaving reading station at 14:07. The buses that run are literally every 2 minutes, and I usually aim to join the queue around 14:20-14:30 to safely reach the ground before kick off. Therefore, I would never choose to take the train over the bus, when if the train gets too popular its gonna be a jam packed 2/3 coach. It will be useful for fans coming from the south from basingstoke, but I don't think it's gonna be used by as many fans as they seem to expect.
First service train to call at RGP this morning was 2J01 05:43 Reading - Basingstoke (165119) and any normal passengers were definitely outnumbered by the enthusiasts. I would say that everybody getting off on that first station call was 100% enthusiasts! 
165119 on it’s return worked the first train to call in the ‘up’ direction: 2J04 06:19 Basingstoke-Reading.
An honourable mention in dispatches must go to the bloke who waited all night until staff opened up this morning so he could be the first to buy a ticket on opening day! It wasn’t anybody from on here was it?
165119 on it’s return worked the first train to call in the ‘up’ direction: 2J04 06:19 Basingstoke-Reading.
An honourable mention in dispatches must go to the bloke who waited all night until staff opened up this morning so he could be the first to buy a ticket on opening day! It wasn’t anybody from on here was it?
Sly Old Fox
Member
Depends how keen you are to get to the ground. When I go to football I like to be there an hour before kick off. Away fans will probably find it useful too.
mangyiscute
Established Member
But then unless you are arriving into the station at the perfect time for the train, surely you'd rather get the super frequent bus service which starts at around 1pm? Not even considering on the way back you will go to the station in order to get the 17:42 when the bus can almost always get you to the station by half 5 latest, and thats assuming that you even manage to board this train.
Not me. However I bought a ticket from the machine last night (valid for travel today). I don't know if that counts as "on opening day"!
not on Friday although I managed to purchase a ticket for that day!! The press opening on Thursday had stops in 1007 down and a 1143 up.Has anybody actually got on a train from it yet?
kevin_roche
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Geoff Marshall has been there to take a look.
FuzzyDuck
Member
Anyone else bothered by the continuity? Bloke who looks like Daniel Craig walks down the stairs but exits from the lift!
kevin_roche
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I assumed that was a joke. A similar thing happens twice.
WesternBiker
Member
I thought so too. Just a jolly jape.
I like that the station has proper canopies and a decent building.
There was another thread on this topic, and I believe it had mention of another potential bay at Basingstoke (north side obvs) which wouldn't hopefully interfere too much with freight. Also talking about line speed on this line being something which eventually could be way better.
Great that this is open, and hope it's a massive success.
A major plus seems to be that it's also acted as a catalyst for new homes which are sorely needed.
That in turn provides additional custom for the station and line. People won't be reliant on cars which helps reduce traffic congestion. Housing seemed better than the cookie cutter Barratt box we normally see too.
Great to see at a new station and hopefully we see much more of it.
That in turn provides additional custom for the station and line. People won't be reliant on cars which helps reduce traffic congestion. Housing seemed better than the cookie cutter Barratt box we normally see too.
Great to see at a new station and hopefully we see much more of it.
Reading Borough Council have gone out for tender for bus service 9, with the option of extending to Green Park station.
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/d8a8a3e1-5fde-4f8e-9fa2-9516fb9888fe
Wonder if there's an outside chance that Reading Buses will win this
I stopped off at Reading Green Park earlier on Tuesday to have a gander at the station, as well as the local area serving it.
The station is larger than what it should cater, given that Green Park Village was smaller than what I was expecting to justify a new station. I suspect not all of the residents have moved in yet, as the station was very quiet during my visit. There is the nearby Business Park and stadium, though that’s about it for a 15/20 minute walk.
The station platforms’ length may indicate that longer GWR trains could accommodate the extra capacity for special events along the Reading-Basingstoke line, or, in my view, the possibility of Cross Country Voyagers additionally calling at RGP during match days.
I note that the stairs to the south of the station have been designed for emergency use, which I find to be unhelpful, given that the stairs lead to the Kirtons Farm Road bridge. Despite that road being pedestrian unfriendly, it misses the opportunity for easier access to the west of the station, given that there are small pockets of housing and a number of lakes residing there. Still, I suppose it might benefit as a parkway station for those coming off the M4/A33.
The station is larger than what it should cater, given that Green Park Village was smaller than what I was expecting to justify a new station. I suspect not all of the residents have moved in yet, as the station was very quiet during my visit. There is the nearby Business Park and stadium, though that’s about it for a 15/20 minute walk.
The station platforms’ length may indicate that longer GWR trains could accommodate the extra capacity for special events along the Reading-Basingstoke line, or, in my view, the possibility of Cross Country Voyagers additionally calling at RGP during match days.
I note that the stairs to the south of the station have been designed for emergency use, which I find to be unhelpful, given that the stairs lead to the Kirtons Farm Road bridge. Despite that road being pedestrian unfriendly, it misses the opportunity for easier access to the west of the station, given that there are small pockets of housing and a number of lakes residing there. Still, I suppose it might benefit as a parkway station for those coming off the M4/A33.
Kite159
Veteran Member
It is just a push-bar release for the gate giving access to the emergency staircase leading to the road bridge? Anything at the top of the stairs to prevent someone accidentally thinking that was an entrance to the station, similar to Reston where the first staircase you reach if arriving by foot is the emergency staircase.
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