Rail fare to Abergavenny ‘twice what it should be’

IF YOU travel from Cardiff to Abergavenny it will cost you £15.20 for a day return. That’s for a journey between 37 and 44 minutes in length.

It’s also almost double what it would cost you to go to Ebbw Vale, Rhymney or Maesteg – even though those services will take more time to get there.

Now, a campaign group is calling on Transport for Wales to bring the prices in line with the rest of south Wales.

Abergavenny resident Anna Roberts, who is leading the campaign, said: “It’s such a massive difference I’m amazed that no-one has made a fuss before.

“It just goes to show people don’t consider taking the train an option.

“I remember speaking to someone years ago who said they drive to Ebbw Vale and get the train from there.

“I tell people they are paying 50% more from Abergavenny and they are absolutely horrified.”

In January, Transport for Wales will introduce a fare reduction for 33 stations within the Cardiff and the Valleys network.

It means those travelling from those areas will see prices “significantly reduced” – in some cases more than 10%.

And with fare prices from Abergavenny to Cardiff increasing to £15.60 in the new year, campaigners are worried the difference in price will become even more stark.

Anna, a freelance career coach, said: “The fares from Hereford are quite expensive as well so if they brought Abergavenny prices down in line with other services that jump to Hereford would be massive.

“But they are Transport for Wales so they have to consider what they should do for Wales.

“I talk to commuters and ask why they drive and they say it’s easier and taking the train is more expensive.”

In July, campaigners met members of Transport for Wales to discuss differences in price.

Anna, 56, said: “We were really pleased that they responded in this way and we heard a lot about plans for improving Abergavenny station and the network in general, which was encouraging.

“But he said that the price difference between fares from Abergavenny and other commuter towns is largely historic and is something they’ve inherited.”

A spokesman for Transport for Wales said: “We appreciate the feedback from the group on our fares.

“It is important to stress that across Britain fares are not set purely on the basis of mileage but on a range of factors, some of them historic.

“We have striven to reduce fares wherever possible, with an overall weighted reduction of -1.12% on fares across our network.

“Customers in Abergavenny can also take advantage of on-the-day advanced tickets for the first time in January.”