Football fans call for extra trains to Wales matches in Cardiff
FOOTBALL fans are calling for trains to be laid on to take them to and from Wales international matches in Cardiff.
The recently-formed FSF Gogledd Cymru (the North Wales branch of the Football Supporters Federation) will meet Arriva Trains bosses later this month to discuss the possibility of extra services being introduced.
With the Euro 2016 semi-finalists now playing all their matches at Cardiff City Stadium and with most games kicking off in the evening, fans in the north face lengthy road trips to the capital, with many having to take two days off work to watch the team. am.
Wales’ last appearance in North Wales was the 2-2 draww with New Zealand in Wrexham in 2007, and the fans’ group say supporters here are being “left behind”.
FSF Gogledd Cymru press officer Tommie Collins said: “The fact Arriva Trains have agreed to meet us s is a positive step. Trains to Hololyhead after the game callingg at stations along the way would be great.
“People in the north have been left behind. Trains are being put on to take people to London after the Champions League final in Cardiff (in May) – we should have the same service. They also put on more trains to the Valleys after rugby internationals.”
Mr Collins, of Porthmadog, suggested the football special trains could be subsidised by the Welsh Government, adding: “We’re not talking about one man and his dog – most of Wales’ fans are from the north.”
An Arriva Trains Wales spokesper- son said: “We welcome the opportunity to meet with FSF Gogledd Cymru to discuss the viability of providing extra p post-match services to North Wales,Wale including the factors involvedinv in being able to deliver additionalad late night services suchs as track access and displacement of trains for next day services.”
Football Association of WalesW head of public affairs, IanIa Gwyn Hughes, said they wouldwo not comment until after the m meeting in Wrexham on January 26.26 Cabinet Secretary for economy and infrastructure Ken Skates said: “We expect Arriva Trains to appropriately manage resources to enable fans to travel from North Wales for international matches in Cardiff.
“Welsh Government spends tens of millions of pounds every year in subsidising routes across Wales. For the next franchise from 2018 we expect the future rail operator to provide adequate rolling stock for the predicted increase in passenger numbers, as well as improve train quality and punctuality.”