MPs, councillors and transport campaigners have united in calling for improved rail services in the Bristol area.
A meeting held to discuss the future of public transport heard the city had been presented with a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to see better train services introduced.
Campaigners discussed how they should approach lobbying the Government for improvements, including a half-hourly Bristol Metro service to be included as part of the new Great Western franchise.
Four companies are currently in the running to take over the franchise currently operated by First, which covers the main line between London and Bristol as well as local services.
Final details and specifications of the new franchise, which will be drafted by the Department for Transport in the coming weeks, will shape railway provision for the region for the next 15 years.
The aim of the meeting, organised by the Transport for the Greater Bristol Alliance (TFGB), was to create a consensus on what should be included in the franchise brief.
Last night's event at the Council House was attended by members of some of the leading transport organisations and pressure groups, along with rail industry representatives and government officials.
The meeting was told that urgent action needed to be taken to free up Bristol's road network, which is occupied by the slowest moving traffic outside of London.
The panel of speakers included transport commentator Christian Wolmar, TFGB spokesman Bernard Kennedy and Liberal Democrat transport spokesman in the House of Lords, Lord Bradshaw.
Mr Wolmar said it was important Bristol worked with neighbouring authorities when lobbying the Department for Transport for an improved network.
He said: "If you miss this opportunity it will go away for another five years."
Mr Kennedy, a train driver who has worked in the rail industry for 32 years, urged the city to make the most of the opportunity to press for better services.
He said: "Bristol has some serious drawbacks – it is being choked by traffic. We are standing on the threshold of a massive opportunity, with the electrification of the mainline due to take place.
"If you don't take the opportunity of improving rail services, I believe it will be an opportunity lost for a lifetime. The consequences will be frightening – you will see streets totally choke up with traffic."
Lord Bradshaw told the gathering of 50 people that campaigners should "not fight yesterday's battles" by reopening the debate into whether the rail network should have been privatised.
He said trains serving Temple Meads station were "old, unattractive and miserable" and should be replaced with more modern versions under the new franchise.
The peer added that councils in the region needed to follow the lead of cities such as Nottingham by taking a "single-minded approach" to pushing for public transport improvements.
Among the other speakers at the meeting, chaired by Post editor Mike Norton, were Bristol North West MP Charlotte Leslie, Bristol West MP Stephen Williams, Bristol City Council's transport chief Tim Kent and his South Gloucestershire Council counterpart Brian Allinson.
A decision on the franchise winner is expected in December.
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