TfW doing their best so give them a break

I APPEAR to be on the wrong side of the tracks here, but I feel compelled to defend Transport for Wales regarding criticism directed at the organisation after recent matches in Cardiff.

Cardiff Central is not a hub with many platforms from which trains can depart in all directions, so in my view it stands to reason that there will always be packed platforms on city event days, especially on rugby international days when it has become a traditional day out for thousands of people other than those attending the match. With the city centre teeming with people it is bound to be impossible for TfW to accommodate everyone wanting rail transport home the instant they step into the station.

There has been severe criticism of carriages being packed. Nobody forces passengers to board a crowded train and fans are not compelled to force their way on if they see carriages are full, thus exacerbating the situation.

Blame has also been levelled at TfW for passengers failing to wearing face masks. I presume it would take far more extra staff to ensure this, which I can’t see as their role anyway; it’s the law and therefore should it not be policed by the police? Also, who would like the job of demanding face covering of a carriage of exuberant match fans? Do not civil duty and self-policing come into the picture?

I feel certain that due to Covid staffing issues across all workplaces TfW are no different, so it seems logical that if they had available extra carriages and staff to man and operate them then those extra facilities would be up and running.

Like all organisations, TfW must be working at full capacity with the staff available, so hey, give them a break for just doing their job under very difficult circumstances.

In these days of instant gratification, we don’t have the Godgiven right to just hop on the next train immediately it arrives at the platform and contribute to it being packed to the gunwales with nonmask-wearing passengers.

Siân Saunders Murton,

Gower