Fear that train to Birmingham could be terminated at Shrewsbury
Trains from the Welsh coast could soon terminate in Shrewsbury rather than Birmingham, a passenger group has warned.
The Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth Rail Passenger Association (SARPA) said it fears the hourly service on the Cambrian mainline could be axed under the forthcoming re-letting of the Wales and Border franchise.
Arriva Trains Wales's deal runs out in 2018 and next year the Welsh Government could renew it or bring in another operator.
The new contract will last for 15 years and is worth about £3.5 billion. The Welsh Government will expect faster journeys, improved reliability and less overcrowding.
SARPA chairman Angus Eickhoff said:"With the upcoming re-letting of the Wales and Border franchise specified from Cardiff looming, we must ensure that the voice of Mid Wales and Shropshire is heard and that the success of the extra services is maintained and built on, so that the people of Mid Wales have a modern and functioning public transport option.
"It's one thing for the Welsh Government to make the right general noises about improvements but actually specifying and delivering a contract that does deliver is another. Stakeholders in Mid Wales and Shropshire must keep the pressure up.
"Many people mistakenly believe the job was done after a few extra services were provided last May. The extra services introduced on the Cambrian lines in May 2015 have reportedly seen increases in usage of 30 per cent."
"Complacency is now our biggest enemy."
He claimed the group has seen plans that suggest that the through lines from Aberystwyth and Pwllheli – which are a lifeline for commuters heading to Birmingham International Airport and students – will soon end at Shrewsbury, where long waits and failed connections could potentially result in missed flights. They also want to see extra carriages on Birmingham routes.
Mr Eickhoff said: "Certain plans have been seen by SARPA which show the Cambrian trains terminating there (Shrewsbury).
"Rumour or not, the main aim of SARPA is to ensure that this doesn't happen and that travellers will continue to be able to travel to Birmingham New Street and Birmingham International without changing."
He said SARPA's main aspirations for the replacement Wales and Border franchise include a realistic quantity of rolling stock in the franchise with a minimum 50 per cent increase in carriages on the Birmingham to Cambrian and Chester routes.
