Commuters’ mixed response to extra capacity rail services which began last week

Rail commuters travelling on some of the busiest Valley lines are yet to be convinced of proposals to expand the service capacity.

The rail operator, Arriva Trains Wales, announced in March that extra carriages would be put on for services into Cardiff, including an additional 200,000 seats every year and over 200 weekly for Rhymney Valley travellers.

Beginning on Monday May 22, the operator confirmed an extra 130 seats on each of the 06.09 and 06.32 Rhymney to Cardiff weekday services, and 280 extra seats on peak services before 9am into Cardiff from Rhymney, Bargoed, Caerphilly, and Llanishen with the 06.32 set to double in carriage size.

Speaking ahead of the schedule changes, Lynne Milligan, Customer Services Director for Arriva Trains Wales, said: “From Monday morning [May 22], commuters can expect to see a real difference in their morning commute.

“We’ve worked really hard to deliver this improvement for our passengers to give them the best journey experience possible. The lack of rolling stock availability in the UK has been well documented so the fact we have achieved this within our current fleet due to the additional platform and new signalling at Cardiff Central is really positive and a great example of working with our partners in Network Rail to deliver real benefits to customers.”

However, commuters have told Caerphilly Observer that some services have still been packed, forcing people to stand up.

Annette Goss, from Deri, claimed that her train from Bargoed still comprised of just two carriages and was full by Ystrad Mynach. She said: “The 7.03am from Bargoed is still two carriages and is packed by Ystrad Mynach. People are standing from Ystrad Mynach onwards, and it’s hard to tell if the facilities are any fresher.”

Julie Cull called her inability to get a seat “very irritating”. She added: “I get the train every day and haven’t noticed [a difference]. At over £900 a year from Caerphilly to Cardiff they need to sort it out, it’s crazy prices when you can rarely get a seat.

“I managed to get a seat once on the later 7.55am train from Caerphilly, but other than that haven’t got one in the last two weeks. It’s very irritating.”

Some commuters, such as Pauline Fitzpatrick from Caerphilly, had noticed a difference. Pauline said: “The 7.05am from Energlyn is always a two-carriage train but last week they had put on four carriages which meant there was hardly anyone standing.

“This week I have caught the 8.05am and the 8.20am which hasn’t been overcrowded but then it is half term where a lot of parents are off so this week isn’t the complete picture. When I come home on the 5.16pm from Cardiff Central, there are still four carriages, but there are people standing from Queen Street onwards.”

Caerphilly AM, Hefin David, has also asked commuters for their experiences.

Dr David has been vocal in his calls for improvement to rail services, and said: “I welcome this announcement by Arriva Trains Wales which seems to have come about due to the company more efficiently using its existing rolling stock.

“However, the need for new and better rolling stock remains and I am concerned that there will still be instances where my constituents are standing on over-crowded trains.

“New seats on early morning services are welcome but there is still more work to be done.

“I would urge my constituents to contact me with their experiences of these services, particularly if they have used the two which have benefited from more seats.”

• Another Assembly Member, Plaid Cymru’s Steffan Lewis, questioned First Minister Carwyn Jones on his commitment to return the rail network to public ownership at a Welsh Assembly plenary on Tuesday May 23.

The South Wales East AM asked the First Minister if he “believed an opportunity has been missed in not using the operator of last resort provision to bring the rail network back in Welsh public ownership as quickly as possible.”

Arriva Trains Wales’ contract is due to end in 2018, with four bidders currently vying to take on the Wales and Borders rail franchise.

Mr Jones replied, saying: “I do remain committed to that, and unfortunately due to the provision in the Wales Act, it’s not an option open to us. We have not been permitted to look at an arms-length public body being used to run the franchise, unlike in Scotland, and are in dispute with the UK Government.

“As part of the franchising process over the next year we expect to see the best value for money delivered for Welsh customers and of course significant investment in rolling stock. There are many people who use the Valleys Lines who are on rolling stock which is many, many decades old. They deserve better than that and we want to see that delivered over the course of the next franchise period.”