Hourly rail services needed to cope with demand, say politicians

Calls for an hourly train service on the Cambrian Line have been renewed following a sharp rise in passenger numbers at stations across Mid Wales, including Newtown.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats say the latest figures strengthen the case for long promised service improvements on the line between Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury.

New data shared by rail user groups shows Newtown station recorded 171,366 passengers over the latest 12 month period, an increase of more than 22 per cent on the previous year. Welshpool station saw passenger numbers rise to 176,730, up just over 13 per cent, while Caersws recorded the biggest proportional increase, with usage up by more than 40 per cent to 69,134 passengers. Aberystwyth remains the busiest station on the line with almost 299,000 passengers, an increase of more than eight per cent year on year.

An hourly service on the Cambrian Line was first announced in 2014 but has yet to be fully delivered. Transport for Wales has indicated the service is now unlikely to be introduced until 2026.

Campaigners argue that the rising passenger numbers show growing demand for rail travel in Mid Wales and that improved infrastructure should be matched by more frequent services.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Senedd candidate for Gwynedd Maldwyn, Cllr Glyn Preston, said the figures demonstrated the importance of the Cambrian Line to local communities.

“These figures clearly show sustained and growing demand for rail services in Mid Wales, even without the level of service that was promised,” he said. “Significant increases at Newtown, Welshpool and Caersws underline how vital the Cambrian Line is to our local economy and everyday life.

“An hourly service was announced more than a decade ago, yet passengers continue to face delay after delay. With usage rising across the line, there is now a strong case for the Welsh Government to bring forward an hourly all stations service. Mid Wales should not be treated as an afterthought when it comes to transport investment.”

Supporters of the proposal say an hourly timetable would encourage more people to use public transport, support local businesses and tourism, and improve onward connections at Shrewsbury to the wider UK rail network.

Transport for Wales and the Welsh Government have previously said that infrastructure constraints, rolling stock availability and ongoing improvement work on the Cambrian Line have contributed to delays in introducing the full hourly service.