WITH an hourly train service now fully operational between Ipswich and Lowestoft, the main goal for public transport campaigners is getting passengers on board.

The East Suffolk Travellers’ Association met this weekend for the first time since last December’s launch of a “passing loop” between Halesworth and Oulton Broad.

The annual general meeting of the group, which campaigns on behalf of train and bus passengers, was held at Melton Church Hall, near Woodbridge, where discussions included the new East Suffolk line timetable.

Chairman Trevor Garrod praised Suffolk County Council for investing in the Beccles loop which has enabled an hourly off-peak train service to run between Ipswich and Lowestoft. He said: “The hourly service also provides an opportunity to attract more visitors to the Waveney District by train, and we shall promote this.”

ESTA will be holding a two-week exhibition at Ipswich Library from May 7 to advertise the service, which was launched to tempt back passengers put off by infrequency of trains.

The meeting also heard from James Steward, area customer services manager for train operator Greater Anglia, who said reliability on the line had improved from 87% in 2010 to 93% in the first quarter of 2013. He said the improvement was mainly down to improved signalling, which cost £21million along with a £4m scheme to lay about 390 metres of new track.

Mr Steward said he was also pleased with transport integration at Halesworth, where the 502 bus service to Southwold connects with trains. From May 19 passengers can buy combined tickets, also available online.

Meanwhile, cashless ticket machines are being installed at Beccles, Saxmundham and Woodbridge.

Improvements are set for the shelter at Beccles, where signage has already been enhanced following a suggestion by ESTA, and a real-time information screen is due to be installed at Oulton Broad South, while car parking at Darsham and Melton stations will be further improved to meet demand.

Concern was raised over the withdrawal of the commercial 63 bus service between Wickham Market and Framlingham at the end of May but Mr Garrod said the county council was considering a more limited subsidised service. He added: “Well-informed campaigning by bodies such as ESTA has helped secure improvements to public transport, but the issue of the future of the 63 bus shows that we cannot rest on our laurels.”