Local rail services slammed

Just days after calling for rail users to share their problems with the Shrewsbury-Aberystwyth line, the same group compiling the information has slammed the service, saying that the “number of late and cancelled trains have reached an unacceptable level”.

After the latest meeting of the Shrewsbury-Aberystwyth Rail Liaison Committee, a statement was issued outlining the problems identified with the line, with a promise to take it up with the operator as well as the Welsh Government.

“We will now take up these matters with Welsh Government as well as through Transport for Wales,” said Robert Robinson, Secretary. “The Chair expressed the view to the meeting that at this time it is the worst service he can remember on the Cambrian Line.”

In a media statement issued by the Liaison Committee, the main issues identified were:

i) Communications

Communication has deteriorated in the past few months with announcements poor or non-existent. The main issues are around Birmingham where people are advised to sit in the wrong part of the train only to find they have to move again after Shrewsbury. Also when trains are terminating at Shrewsbury and going back where they came from there is not always announcements causing issues.

ii) On board communications

The on board communication systems are getting worse with a lot of announcements not being audible.

iii) Times of trains and cancellations

The number of late and cancelled trains have reached an unacceptable level. 

 
Most days nearly all trains have run late for some months.

For example, on the day of the meeting, out of 14 trains, 12 were late.

There is also direct evidence that local residents form Newtown and Welshpool are finding other jobs as they are not able to get to work on time with such an unreliable service. Others are losing money as they are attending work late due to the poor service.

iv) Evidence of issues

The evidence which supports the issues highlighted have come from:

a) Members of the meeting.

b) Welshpool Rail Users Facebook page.

c) Emails and calls to the members.

d) Studying the daily live train updates.

v) Small train sets and use of 158 units

The number of two-car sets when they should be four-car sets is increasing. This has caused overcrowding which is not acceptable in times of Covid-19. There is evidence that the 158 units for the Cambrian Lines are being used elsewhere, taking units away from the line.

vi) Overcrowding on the coast line

The overcrowding on the coast line continued in the summer months.

There is a great need to improve this service with more cars to the trains.

There are no reasons why this cannot be achieved.

vii) Design of trains (3-4 years after delivery)

There was a glimmer of hope from TFW in that it was possible after the new trains are introduced to increase some seating and maybe increase toilet provision. This was not considered acceptable for the passengers to wait for improvements.

viii) Bus replacement services at Welshpool

Bus replacement services often leave the new car park at Welshpool with no notification to passengers that the bus is not leaving from the more commonly used Town side car park. This issue needs to be resolved when such buses are used again.

ix) Masks on main line trains

The number of people on the trains using masks is reducing with little enforcement by the train operators or guard.