Old Pacer trains to stay in service ‘to increase capacity’
TRANSPORT for Wales (TfW) is awaiting permission from the Department for Transport to continue using outdated Pacer trains next year.
The operator is seeking a dispensation against accessibility requirements for trains which come into force on January 1.
Almost all Pacer trains will fail to meet the standards, which include provision for wheelchair users.
A spokesman for TfW said its 30 Pacers will “gradually be removed from service” as more modern Class 769 trains become available in the new year.
The firm had previously pledged to phase out the old trains by the end of 2019, but they are being kept “to improve capacity and resilience”.
TfW took over Wales’ rail service from Arriva Trains Wales just over a year ago, promising new trains, increased capacity and refurbished trains.
It has said that commuters will see increased capacity by December, when it will introduce new trains to the network.
It comes after the company were hit with a wave of complaints from passengers following continued delays, overcrowding and cancellations.
According to the plans, Valley lines will see more four-carriage trains on peak services, providing space for up to 6,500 more commuters every week.
Cheltenham and Maesteg, and Cardiff and Ebbw Vale line trains will benefit from new Class 170 trains with better on-board facilities, including wi-fi and power sockets.
And passengers using some services between north Wales and Manchester will be riding in Mark 4 intercity carriages.
TfW chief executive officer James Price said: “Our plan is to retain some of our Pacer and Class 37 locohauled trains for a short period of time in 2020 to allow us to increase capacity of our busiest routes, meaning extra space onboard for our customers.
“We have always focused on delivering what our customers want, and we will do all we can to provide further capacity, which is their key priority. We must remain responsive to the needs of all of our customers, even if this means changing our plans.”
Politicians have demanded that train operator Northern compensates passengers who have to keep travelling on Pacer trains after it admitted it would not adhere to its own promise to stop running them by the end of the year.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, Sheffield City Region mayor Dan Jarvis and Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake have expressed to the company their “deep disappointment and frustration” at the situation.
The letter signed by the three leaders and sent to Northern managing director David Brown said the firm should reduce fares on routes where Pacers are being used until their replacements are brought into service.
GWR is the only other operator still using Pacers.
It has eight in its fleet, with six in daily use on the line between Exmouth and Barnstaple in Devon.
A spokesman said fleet details from December are “yet to be confirmed” but all services will be wheelchair accessible with an accessible toilet.