Passengers complain over ‘boiling hot trains’

COMMUTERS are complaining that heaters are still being used on trains – even though it has been the hottest time of the year so far.

Rail passengers have protested about overcrowding on trains for a long time, and the complaints led to Arriva Trains Wales adding extra carriages to certain trains earlier this year.

But it seems overcrowding isn’t the only issue, as customers are also complaining about the heat as well as the congestion.

Regular commuter, Ian Wride, travels to Cardiff from Treforest most weekdays. Ian said: “The heaters on the trains are constantly on whether it is snowing outside or the nicest day of the year.

“Quite often you have people asking the conductors to turn the heaters off, but they just reset them and then the heaters turn back on. The trains are always overcrowded at peak times, especially as there is very rarely more than two carriages on the trains I use.”

Ian said he pays £90 a month to stand “crammed on boiling hot trains”.

He Tweeted Arriva regarding the issue, but he says nothing has changed.

“It is not only ridiculous, it is unbelievably unsafe,” said Ian. “Quite often, in the summer especially, you have people fainting on the trains due to the heat. Installing air conditioning on trains is just common sense.”

Commuter Kelsie Collins, who travels to Cardiff from Pontypridd, claimed the heat is more of a problem at peak times and during the evenings.

Kelsie said: “There is usually only two carriages on the valley lines at peak times and it’s just complete craziness.

“It doesn’t matter if the windows are open, because when there’s no room left at Cathays station for people to get on, the windows are irrelevant. There are so many people standing shoulder to shoulder, and loads of people are left at stations in boiling conditions.”

Lynne Milligan, customer services director for Arriva Trains Wales, said: “Our Class 158 and 175 trains, which primarily operate on long distance routes are all fitted with air-conditioning and therefore the on-board temperature can be controlled. Older trains within our fleet do not have air conditioning but do have windows which can be opened to improve airflow within the carriages.

“Our conductors can regulate the heaters by turning them on or off and are trained to be mindful and aware of the on-board environment to ensure that customers have a comfortable and pleasant journey. We appreciate that travelling on some services during warm weather can be uncomfortable, however passengers are advised to plan for their journey by wearing appropriate clothing and always carry water to keep hydrated.”