'Same old problems' for Wales' new £5bn rail service
- Published
Commuters have accused Wales' new £5bn rail franchise of failing to improve services after more disruption.
Passengers have complained of trains being delayed and cancelled, packed services with too few carriages and trains not stopping to pick up.
Transport for Wales (TfW) took from Arriva Trains Wales at the weekend, but one commuter said: "I see nothing has changed with Transport for Wales then."
But TfW blamed Storm Callum for disruption.
After a second day of disruption for rail passengers travelling between south Wales and London, TfW was also criticised for "disgusting" service during the morning commute.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
First Minister Carwyn Jones promised improvements after Monday's tough start to the 15-year Wales and Borders franchise, but warned improvements "won't happen overnight".
The government has vowed to transform the service and operators KeolisAmey have ordered 148 new trains costing about £800m.
Some customers have acknowledged it will take time for improvements to be felt.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
TfW apologised for overcrowding but said damage caused by Storm Callum had a "significant impact" on the number of trains available.
Colin Lea, commercial and customer director, said: "Currently there are only a finite number of trains in our fleet, a significant proportion of which are being repaired as a result of autumn weather conditions.
"At the same time we are investing significantly in making trains fully accessible for persons of reduced mobility.
"Our engineers work incredibly hard round the clock to get as many trains back into service as possible and we remain fully committed to providing services with the planned number of carriages on every route."
Rail chaos during Storm Callum
Friday 12 October
Train hit tree between Whitland and Tenby
Flooding at Cwmbach
Tree on line at Merthyr Vale
Flooding at Penrhiwceiber and train trapped
Train hit branch at Leominster
Saturday 13 October
Flooding at Pontarddulais blocked the entire Heart of Wales line
Train hit debris at Cross Keys
Train hit tree at Clunderwen
Tree blocking line at Llanishen
Flooding at Llwynypia
Track blocked at Llanbradach
Sunday 14 October
Train struck tree at Tallerddig
Very poor rail conditions at Wellington
Brick thrown at train at Shotton
Commuters have hit out. Andrew James accused TfW of "adopting Arriva practices already", while Sharon Lewis added: "I see nothing has changed."
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
- Published17 October 2018
- Published16 October 2018
- Published15 October 2018
- Published15 October 2018
- Published14 October 2018
- Published13 October 2018
- Published12 October 2018
- Published18 August 2018