Passengers deserve a better rail service

THE cancellation of more than 10,000 Transport for Wales trains in three years seems an extraordinarily high number.

We have to bear in mind that most people’s travel patterns have been significantly affected by the pandemic, but the number of cancelled trains still appears staggeringly high.

It is very annoying to have one’s train cancelled and then be obliged to squeeze on to the next service, which may well be overcrowded.

The number of late trains is also not a good advertisement for the rail service provided by what is now a state-owned operation.

Arriva Trains Wales, the previous holder of the Wales and Borders franchise, got itself a poor reputation largely because of trains that were sometimes so overcrowded that passengers wanting to get to work were unable to board them.

Commuters want the certainty of knowing they will be able to arrive on time for work. Without that assurance, many will choose to forgo public transport and travel by car instead – exactly the opposite outcome to what the Welsh Government wants to achieve.

When Transport for Wales took over the franchise in 2018, initially subcontracting it to a private consortium, there was the hope things would improve.

Sadly, the perception of many is that, if anything, the service has got worse.

Passengers complain particularly that not enough carriages are put on, forcing many to stand for long periods in sometimes considerable discomfort.

The apparent lack of sufficient rolling stock belies the promises that were made before Transport for Wales took on the franchise.

With more people travelling, the Welsh Government needs to step up its efforts and improve the service.

No doubt there was a massive drop in revenue during the lockdowns and that will have played havoc with TfW’s finances – but passengers expect a decent and comfortable service and the Welsh Government’s carbon cutting targets will not be reached if potential rail passengers are alienated.

TfW is also a standard bearer for publicly owned rail service providers. Its performance so far brings little credit to that endeavour.

Having a reliable public transport network is essential if the Welsh economy is to thrive.

Whatever steps are necessary to achieve that must be taken.