Higher fares and lack of travel advice warn residents

News that the family-owned travel ticket office at Newtown Railway Station will not re-open has been greeted with dismay by local residents and travellers.

Thanks and praise have been posted on MyNewtown's Facebook and Twitter channels since we revealed the news on Monday.

Newtown Station Travel said it would not be re-opening after closing during the Covid-19 situation, citing financial pressures of not operating as a key factor.

Gareth Marston and family took over the business several years ago after the former railway ticket office was re-opened as a private travel business more than 25 years ago.

The statement said: "It's with regret that we leave the town and surrounding area without manned presence at its railway station. However, we do have our own and our families finances to consider and can't run the business at a loss with no income coming in indefinitely.

"If we organised transport properly in this country, Newtown Station would be a manned transport/parcels interchange from very early to very late, seven days a week staffed by a transport operator.

"Let's hope more enlightened times are around the corner."

In response on Facebook people said they would miss the service and ability to book tickets with people who understood and knew the best routes and prices.

"Very Sad News and will be sorely missed by the Town & Local Area.
Thank you for all the hard work you have both done for the Town," said MyNewtown reader Gill Bridgwater.

Jacqui Davies said: "Very sad. They were brilliant at getting us the best deals on journeys."

Helen Kynaston said: Gareth and Jayne will be sadly missed by many in town. Over the years they have saved us a fortune in fares."

Transport for Wales, which operates the station, is due to install two ticket machines, one on each platform.

It will mean there are now no ticket offices along the Cambrian Railway line except at Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth.