1718 Cancellation Train Rethink Urged - 28th Mar, 2007

Sian James MP has written to the Minister for Railways to following reports about overcrowding on trains west of Cardiff

Sian James MP said:

"It has been reported that one particular train, the 1721 Cardiff to Maesteg service, is running at 78% overcapacity.

"I am convinced that the cancellation of the 17:18 intercity service between Cardiff and Swansea (the ex-1515 service from Paddington) has caused a serious knock-on affect on local services.

"The termination of the service in Cardiff causes a 60 minute gap in the intercity service between Cardiff and Swansea when people want to get home from work. Currently, there are high speed services at 1647 and 1747 from Cardiff to Swansea, but those wishing to travel between these times need to rely on local services which tend to be very overcrowded. There are a lack of services to deal with demand and I worry that people are already, gone back to using their cars.

"Furthermore, performance and timetabling changes, particularly at the English end have caused knock on problems for us in Swansea. There have been significant problems with First Great Western services in recent weeks, causing long distance travel to become unbearable.

"I have asked the Minister for Railways to seriously consider the report by Transport 2000 and asked him to provide me with detailed information on the situation with passenger numbers between 5pm-6pm on services west of Cardiff to Swansea."

Mrs James has also made arrangements to meet with rail bosses over the next month.