Train passengers ‘dumped’ at remote station for hours with no …

Passengers aboard a Midland-bound train were ‘dumped’ at a tiny station following a points failure. Transport for Wales was accused of operating a “shambles” of a service after up to 30 people were told at a remote station and left to wait for two-and-a-half hours without a toilet or easy access to food or drink.

Jim Ayres said he was on the 11.38am train from Swansea to Llandrindod in Powys last Thursday morning. The route – which ends in Shrewsbury ^[1] – forms part of the Heart of Wales Line, operated by Transport for Wales and is often lauded as one of the most scenic routes in the whole of the UK.

But about two hours into the journey, as the train was approaching Llanwrtyd Station, an announcement was made informing passengers the service would be cancelled and everyone would have to get off at the next station, WalesOnline reports.^[2]

Transport for Wales apologised and said the cancellation was due to a points failure. Llanwrtyd is five stops south of Mr Ayres’ destination of Llandrindod, and several more away from the end of the line at Shrewsbury.^[4]

Mr Ayres said: “They informed us the train was being cancelled but didn’t tell us why. After a brief pause the train went back the way it came, back south towards Swansea.

“There were about 25 to 30 people left at the station, and we were told a replacement bus was being sent to take us the rest of the way and that it would be with us in ten minutes.”

The bus never arrived and elderly people and children were left waiting at the station. Mr Ayres called Transport for Wales to enquire about the situation but was again told a bus was on its way.

But people were forced to stand around and wait in what felt like the middle of nowhere, with no toilet or café at the station, he said. He added: “The town of Llanwrtyd Wells is about half-a-mile away from the station so it’s not ideal for elderly people or young children.

“If we had just been told the service was cancelled, that there was no bus and we’d have to wait for the next train, then at least people could have made the decision to go into the town – spending an afternoon in Llanwrtyd Wells isn’t the worst thing in the world.

“But they told us there would be a bus, and where they dumped everybody there was nothing; they could have at least left us somewhere with facilities.”

Two-and-a-half hours after they were told to get off the train at Llanwrtyd, another train turned up to take passengers on the remainder of their journeys.

Mr Ayres said: “Trains in Wales are a shambles. They often get cancelled, and when they do show up they can be antiquated trains on major routes, and often you have to stand as a passenger. Transport for Wales is the worst operator I’ve travelled on.

“It’s being run by Welsh people for Welsh people so you want it to be successful, but it’s just not at the moment. I’ve also travelled a lot on buses and they seem to be more reliable – they tend to be operated by smaller companies.

“The Heart of Wales Line should be trying to attract tourists. It’s lovely but it’s just so incredibly unreliable.”

Transport for Wales has apologised to everyone affected by the train cancellation. The company explained that the service from Swansea to Shrewsbury was cancelled due to a points failure.

They explained that, while replacement buses were requested to pick passengers up, they were unable to get to Llanwrtyd before the line was re-opened. A spokesman for Transport for Wales said: “We were sorry to learn of the problems our customers encountered on the Heart of Wales line last week and we would like to apologise to all customers affected.

“The service from Swansea was cancelled at Llanwrtyd at short notice owing to a points failure at Craven Arms where the Heart of Wales line joins the mainline. When trains are cancelled at short notice we do all we can to provide alternate road transport for our customers.

“Buses were requested, however the line re-opened before these had arrived. Those affected may be entitled to compensation and should visit https://tfw.wales/help-and-contact/rail/delay-repay to submit a claim. TfW is working closely with our partners, Network Rail, to improve performance and reliability for all customers in Wales and the borders.

“We recognise much of our network included small rural stations where the service is infrequent and customers who are impacted by disruption should visit our journey check website or contact Travel Line Cymru for the latest information on 0800 464 00 00.”

References

^{^} Shrewsbury (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
^{^} WalesOnline reports. (www.walesonline.co.uk)
^{^}