SERUG

SERUG is a lobby group focused on the operation of the railway between Salisbury and Exeter and its future improvement. We enlist the support of rail users, MP’s, County and local Councils, LEP's, and other communities. We lobby Train Operators, Network Rail, DfT and other Government departments to provide new infrastructure, improve the line’s capacity, timetable resilience and overall passenger experience.

We cover the stations of Tisbury, Gillingham, Templecombe, Sherborne, Yeovil Junction, Crewkerne, Axminster, Honiton, Feniton, Whimple, Cranbrook, Pinhoe and Exeter Central. On this route, the current infrastructure and aging (30 year-old) rolling stock, severely restricts performance.

SERUG is not funded by any commercial rail operators or rail-based organisations. We lobby independently for all improvements that will benefit the travelling public. We are affiliated to Railfuture, a non-political, not for profit organisation which campaigns for a bigger and better railway in Britain.

Post-Covid objectives

We recognised that much has changed in the past year, and we have reset our priorities, as outlined below:

• Encourage Passengers Back to the Railway

• Full re-instatement of the hourly service between Exeter and Waterloo

• Simpler fares structure

• Re-instatement of Catering Services on all Trains

• Maintain Recently Increased Seating Capacity on all Trains

• Maintain Staffed Stations and improve facilities

• Improve Timetable Resilience and Capacity

• Replace current (30 year old) trains

• Electrification and Faster Journey time

• The Ability to Join and Split Trains at Yeovil Junction

A full version of these goals can by viewed and downloaded here.

We welcome your support and feedback. If you would like to receive regular updates (newsletters, details of events, etc), please see the Membership section on this site or email us at contact@serug.co.uk