Watchdog calls on Transport for Wales to improve its rail services

After months of [1] for passengers, [2] has been called upon by [3] to deliver a more reliable rail service urgently. For a number of months, passengers have faced significant [4], including services being cancelled at short notice, services stopping short of their destinations, and in some cases trains being replaced by rail-replacement bus services.

Transport for Wales logo[5] train. // Credit: ORR

The resultant disruption has caused significant overcrowding on popular routes, uncomfortable journeys, and unacceptable delays in dealing with complaints from passengers. As there has been little sign of improvement for passengers, [6] has written to Transport for Wales calling for it to take action to ensure its services for passengers are improved as soon as possible.

During the past few months, Transport for Wales has experienced major operational issues with some of its trains, that have resulted in a detrimental effect on passenger services. These include trains being out of service for essential repairs, whilst some trains on the [7] to [8] and [9] to [10] routes have been unreliable.

Transport FOcus Rail User SurveyTransport Focus Rail User Survey. Credit: Transport Focus

In Transport Focus's latest survey, Transport for Wales was rated by passengers in joint bottom place for overall satisfaction alongside TransPennine Express.

Just 69 per cent of passengers expressed satisfaction with the punctuality of their journeys. According to the Office of Rail and Road, Transport for Wales was also recorded as having significantly more cancellations than other major operators, with 12 per cent of trains being cancelled in March.

Transport Focus Trai Operator SatisfactionTransport Focus Train Operator Satisfaction. Credit: Transport Focus

David Sidebottom, director at the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said: "Passengers need services which are reliable and that they can depend on.

Transport for Wales needs to take urgent action to get more trains moving and deliver certainty for its passengers.

"At a time when people are being encouraged to use public transport, this situation is untenable.

Transport for Wales needs to put a robust plan in place outlining how they will restore services and get things back on track for passengers."

References

  1. ^ (www.railadvent.co.uk)
  2. ^ (www.railadvent.co.uk)
  3. ^ (www.railadvent.co.uk)
  4. ^ (www.railadvent.co.uk)
  5. ^ (www.railadvent.co.uk)
  6. ^ (www.railadvent.co.uk)
  7. ^ (www.railadvent.co.uk)
  8. ^ (www.railadvent.co.uk)
  9. ^ (www.railadvent.co.uk)
  10. ^ (www.railadvent.co.uk)

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