Events

A Few Words

General Meetings

We recognise our membership as a powerful resource of expertise, and organise twice-yearly TravelWatch SouthWest General Meetings which keep everyone abreast of developments and ideas. Speakers are invited from government agencies, the transport industry, including bus and train companies, airports and ferry operators, providing insight into the key issues affecting passengers.

At these events, delegates may enter into the discussion, helping to locate and progress service improvements and to ensure that public transport is given the high profile that it deserves.

Latest Meetings

06/03/2026

TWSW’s 2026 Spring General Meeting was held in Taunton.

  • GWR “The Green stripe in the Union Jack of GBR”: Mark Hopwood, Managing Director, GWR

  • Gathering the data to help deliver better user experience: Michelle Roles, Transport Focus

  •  Marrying Local need, Regional strategic goals, and National plans: James White, TWSW

  • Workshop “Socially Necessary Services” – what matters most?

Presentation slides can be requested by member groups.

05/12/2025

The YE25 TWSW AGM was held online for member groups.

Draft minutes, accounts and CIC34 report can be requested by member groups.

24/10/2025

Autumn 2025 General Meeting – Taunton – Keynote from Dr Graham Parkhurst.
Speakers including Mel Watson (Independent Public Transport Consultant), Dan Okey & David Whiteway (GWR), Richard Gibson (CrossCountry), and Nick Small (Go South Coast) .

Transport for Growth

Next Event
Upcoming Event: TravelWatch SouthWest Spring 2026 General Meeting

Friday 6th March 2026 10:30 – 15:15

Firepool Centre, Taunton

Free coach travel if requested

Swindon Route:
08:30 Fleming Way Stand N1/2, Swindon
10:45 Firepool Centre, Taunton
15:15 Return journey

Bournemouth Route:
07:15 Bournemouth Train Station
08:15 Wareham Train Station
09:15 Sherborne Train Station
09:35 Yeovil Penn Mill Train Station
10:45 Firepool Centre, Taunton
15:15 Return journey

Cornwall/Devon Route:
07:00 Truro Train Station
07:30 St Austell Train Station
08:30 Saltash Fore Street
08:50 Plymouth Argyle Park and Ride
10:30 Firepool Centre, Taunton
15:15 Return journey

Click here to register

Previous Meetings

20/12/2024
The YE24 TWSW AGM was held online for member groups

Draft minutes, accounts and CIC34 report can be requested by member groups

11/10/2024
The TWSW 2024 Autumn General Meeting addressed: Government Changes to Transport: what's in it for the passenger?

Keynote speaker: Melanie Watson, Independent Public Transport Consultant

  • New timetables and Changing Services: Dan Okey, Head of Regional Development, GWR
  • To Franchise or Not to Franchise?: Giles Fearnley
  • Why did Pubic Transport work better for the passengers in Cornwall?:  Nigel Blackler, Peninsula Transport
  • All Speaker Panel: Government changes to transport: what’s in it for the passenger?
12/04/2024
Spring General Meeting in Taunton
Making a Public Transport Network Better for Users

Keynote speaker: Natalie Edwards, MSc FAPM, Head of Projects, SWR & WoE Line

  • Shaping the regional transport goals: James White & Hannah Fountain, Western Gateway STB
  • Innovations to deliver a better network experience: Peter Knight, Managing Director, Stagecoach SW
  • DRT – the missing link?: Paul Saunders, DRT Manager, Wiltshire Council
  • Stations: a public realm for the passenger: Dan Okey, Head of Regional and Welsh Development, GWR
  • All Speaker Panel: Connectivity Goals
06/03/2024
The YE23 TWSW AGM was held online for member groups

Draft minutes, accounts and CIC34 report can be requested by member groups

03/12/2021
The TWSW AGM was held online for member groups
TWSW Draft Accounts YE21
TWSW CIC34 Report
TWSW 2020 AGM Draft Minutes

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple meetings were disrupted in 2020-2022.

02/03/2020
TWSW full house at the General Meeting in Taunton

Theme “Connectivity – A framework for moving forward”

Keynote speaker: Professor Graham Parkhurst, UWE and TWSW Board Director

18/10/2019
The TWSW Meeting recognised the need to address public transport failures in rural and other poorly connected communities

Keynote speaker: Crispin Truman, Chief Executive of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE)

TWSW GM October 2019 – Papers
20/03/2019
Strong turnout for our Spring Meeting in Taunton

Keynote speaker: Giles Fearnley, First Group

Agenda
Active Travel - what role for public transport? - Zsolt Schuller
Doing what Matters - Damien Jones
06/10/2018
Thanks to Stagecoach and Go-Ahead for enabling members to reach the meeting in Taunton by providing free buses
Agenda
Implications of new transport technologies - Prof. Graham Parkhurst
Shaping public transport for the South West – Christopher Irwin
22/06/2018
Cross Country Consultation Meeting
Chris Irwin’s Cross Country Franchise Public Consultation Slides
DfT Peter Latham and Transport Focus Slides
07/10/2017
“Joining the Dots” launched by Chris Irwin
Agenda
Delivering Transport & Growth - James White
One Public Transport System for Cornwall - delivered by Alex Carter - written by Glyn Williams
Connecting The Dots Christopher Irwin
04/03/2017
Held at The Albemarle Centre
Agenda
Jag Maitala, DfT presentation to TWSW March 2017
Graham Ellis and Richard Gamble Present
SCRP – Keith Walton TravelWatch presentation March 17