More seats For rush hour trains
ARRIVA TRAINS WALES TO ADD CARRIAGES TO PEAK SERVICES INTO CARDIFF IN BID TO TACKLE OVERCROWDING MISERY:
EXTRA carriages will be provided on some of the most overcrowded rail routes in Wales.
Arriva Trains Wales said an additional 200,000 seats will be made available on the Rhymney, Barry and Taff lines into Cardiff from May.
Passengers have complained of overcrowding on these services and called for more carriages.
A parliamentary report published in January insisted that more trains are provided to overcome what it deemed as a “huge failure” by Arriva Trains Wales and claimed the people of Wales had been “deprived” of improvements to the rail network.
Now an extra 600 seats will be added to the Rhymney, Barry and Taff lines each day to help with the early morning rush-hour with the number of carriages doubling in most cases from two to four carriages.
Other weekday improvements include 130 more seats (to all stations except Grangetown) on the 8.13am service from Barry to Cardiff Central and 104 extra seats on the 6.47am service from Treherbert to Cardiff.
There will also be 208 extra seats on the 7.50am train from Radyr to Cardiff via Llandaff, 130 more seats on the 6.32am Rhymney to Cardiff service, 130 extra seats on the 6.09am Rhymney to Cardiff service and an additional 104 seats on the 5.26pm Merthyr service.
New weekday services have also been added including a 7.52am service from Cardiff Central to Barry, a 7.57am service from Cardiff Central to Radyr, an 8.13am service from Barry to Cardiff Central and an 8.13am train from Radyr to Cardiff Central via Llandaf.
But the changes do mean the loss of one midday Penarth service and one midday Barry service.
Arriva Trains Wales described the changes, which start on May 22, as “one of the most significant improvements to Valleys commuters in a decade”.
It is using the same number of trains it already has but is able to increase capacity because of Network Rail’s recent £300m signalling upgrade works and the new platform built at Cardiff Central station.
The new timetable was tested on Friday, March 24.
Arriva said that during the trial, 98.2% of trains on the Valleys lines network arrived within five minutes of their scheduled time.
But Arriva admitted that the changes won’t mean an end to standing on some services and said the need for extra carriages still remains.
It said discussions with the Welsh Government about sourcing more rolling stock for Wales are continuing.
Customer services director, Lynne Milligan, said: “We’re delighted to make these improvements and are confident they will make a real difference for our passengers.
“This is one of the most significant improvements to valleys commuters in a decade, since the opening of the Ebbw Vale line.
“Improving the passenger experience is something we are passionate about and we are confident that these changes will make a positive impact for people travelling into Cardiff during the commuter peaks.”
Andy Thomas, Wales route managing director at Network Rail Wales, added: “More trains are travelling through Cardiff than ever before thanks to the work we completed over Christmas to modernise the railway in South Wales.
“The Cardiff Area Signalling Renewal (CASR) project has helped to bust congestion and deliver a more reliable railway across the Cardiff and Valleys network, as well as providing a brand new platform and waiting area at Cardiff Central.
“This work is a cornerstone of our Railway Upgrade Plan to build a bigger, better railway here in Wales.
“We will continue to work with our partners Arriva Trains Wales and Welsh Government to improve our railway for passengers.”