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April
AM slams "unacceptable" service on Cambrian Railway
06/09/2019 @ 01:09
The "unacceptable level of service" on the Cambrian Railway Line has been highlighted by Montgomeryshire's AM who says action is needed.
Russell George AM has published details of cancelled or delayed trains on the railway line between October 2018 to July 2019, with 3.4% of services cancelled and only 73.5% of services arriving on time at every station.
Responding to the statistics, Mr George said: “Over recent months we have seen cancelled trains, delayed trains, a lack of staff, signalling problems, short formed trains (two carriages instead of four), a poor or lack of quality information to passengers when issues do occur and overcrowding. This is unacceptable by anyone’s standards.
“When Transport for Wales took over the franchise last year, commitments of change were promised, which we have sadly not yet seen to the extent I would have expected.
"I will be meeting with senior officials from Transport for Wales later this month to further discuss matters, and ask them to update me on their plans for being prepared for the Autumn and Winter weather.
He said he had recently met with representatives of the Shrewsbury Aberystwyth Rail Passengers Association (SARPA) to discuss issues they were campaigning on.
"I met with them, not only in my role as Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire, but as Chair of the National Assembly's Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee to update them on the committee's scrutiny of the new Wales and Borders rail franchise.
"I encouraged them to share any concerns which they have with me and if any residents have issues with the rail service on the Cambrian Line, please do get in touch with me."
He said a new fleet of trains was being built specifically for the Cambrian Railway and would be introduced in 2022.
“A new fleet of trains is being built specifically for the Cambrian Line and will be introduced from 2022. These trains will deliver increased capacity for passengers but will also run with faster acceleration, allowing services to meet the timetable more reliably.
"However, until the new trains are introduced, I will be calling for Transport for Wales to make progress on improving their level of service; to increase the frequency of services to one train per hour throughout the day; and make improvements to facilities at stations including Machynlleth.”
Russell George AM has published details of cancelled or delayed trains on the railway line between October 2018 to July 2019, with 3.4% of services cancelled and only 73.5% of services arriving on time at every station.
Responding to the statistics, Mr George said: “Over recent months we have seen cancelled trains, delayed trains, a lack of staff, signalling problems, short formed trains (two carriages instead of four), a poor or lack of quality information to passengers when issues do occur and overcrowding. This is unacceptable by anyone’s standards.“When Transport for Wales took over the franchise last year, commitments of change were promised, which we have sadly not yet seen to the extent I would have expected.
"I will be meeting with senior officials from Transport for Wales later this month to further discuss matters, and ask them to update me on their plans for being prepared for the Autumn and Winter weather.
He said he had recently met with representatives of the Shrewsbury Aberystwyth Rail Passengers Association (SARPA) to discuss issues they were campaigning on.
"I met with them, not only in my role as Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire, but as Chair of the National Assembly's Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee to update them on the committee's scrutiny of the new Wales and Borders rail franchise.
"I encouraged them to share any concerns which they have with me and if any residents have issues with the rail service on the Cambrian Line, please do get in touch with me."
He said a new fleet of trains was being built specifically for the Cambrian Railway and would be introduced in 2022.
“A new fleet of trains is being built specifically for the Cambrian Line and will be introduced from 2022. These trains will deliver increased capacity for passengers but will also run with faster acceleration, allowing services to meet the timetable more reliably.
"However, until the new trains are introduced, I will be calling for Transport for Wales to make progress on improving their level of service; to increase the frequency of services to one train per hour throughout the day; and make improvements to facilities at stations including Machynlleth.”
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