A local AM has questioned the Cabinet Secretary for Transport on the recent performance of rail services on the Cambrian line.
In questions to the Welsh Government last week (Wednesday 5th October), Russell George, Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire, sought answers on behalf of commuters in North Powys who were stranded on stations on the Cambrian Line as a result of train cancellations.
Mr George said:
“Over the summer, angry constituents have contacted me to complain that services on the Cambrian line have been cancelled with little or no notice, leaving them stranded on the platform, without any public information or replacement bus services.
“This is unacceptable and I was pleased that I had the opportunity to raise the matter with the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Ken Skates AM.
“I am pleased that Mr Skates confirmed that he has met with Arriva Trains Wales to express his dissatisfaction at the inadequate summer of rail services which commuters in Montgomeryshire have experienced and has signalled his intention to ensure that the next rail franchise which is up for award in the near future meets the demands of passengers in Mid Wales who rely on the Cambrian line for their daily transport needs.”
Record of Proceedings - Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy & Infrastructure - 05/10/16
Russell George
Cabinet Secretary, over the summer the issue that has been raised with me by constituents is commuters being stranded on stations on the Cambrian line. The issue here is that not only are trains cancelled at short notice, but they’re cancelled at no notice. So, there are no bus services put on to help commuters stranded, and, also, the station is still demonstrating that the service is about to arrive. I wonder, Cabinet Secretary, if you are aware of this problem, and is this something that you’d be prepared to investigate?
Ken Skates
Yes. In fact, I met with Members from across parties on Monday in north Wales and I pledged to them to provide information from Arriva Trains Wales concerning the efforts that they are endeavouring to make to address what I think is an unacceptable summer of rail service provision. It clearly demonstrates that the current franchise is not fit for purpose, and that’s why we must ensure that the next one meets the demands of passengers in the interests of people of Wales who use that service.