The recent spate of train cancellations across parts of Wales has left passengers and readers of Wales Online feeling frustrated and let down. Over 650 Transport for Wales (TfW) trains have been cancelled on the route to Swansea and further west in just a year, putting the reliability of rail services under the microscope.
The Welsh Government-owned operator took over the day-to-day operation of rail services in the country from Arriva almost seven years ago, but the transition has not been an altogether smooth one. In 2023, a Rail User Survey revealed that only 72% of passengers were satisfied with the service provided by TfW between March and August that year. That meant the company was by far the worst-rated operator in the whole of the UK. The second worst – Southern Railway, which operates trains from London to the south coast – had a satisfaction rate of 80%.
Reader Wrexham 1-0 Chester comments: “Ah well, I suppose it fits right in with the Welsh Government being the worst in the UK. In Wrexham there are some new trains. They are ‘Pats Coaches’ replacement buses. Bit like Dave Coaches in Barry.”
Turk32 is looking on the bright side: “Things are getting better.”
Jessejackson feels: “The UK train service is a terrible mess. I was trying to get from Paddington to Cardiff in December and all the trains were cancelled. I will take the coach in the future. It’s a fraction of the price and you are guaranteed a seat. I paid £187 return for standard class. A complete rip off.”
Jacksea adds: “Not fit for purpose. Just like everything with Welsh Labour’s fingers on it.”
Below stairs says:”I suppose that this is typical of the malaise of the current Government.” Mak3 disagrees: “Nope, down to underfunded infrastructure from 14 years of Tories. Unless you think that a Labour run Westminster could have fixed it in a few months.”
Ianwales believes: “Tories scrapped rail electrification and system upgrades to Swansea. Trainlines to west Wales are single track.”
Anothergrumpy answers: “No-one uses it because it isn’t good enough. It isn’t good enough because the money to make it good enough is being spent in London. The money is being spent in London because no-one uses the railway in Wales. See how this works?”
Barrian comments: “The central Wales line is badly neglected, the mid Wales line to Aberystwyth is overlooked and the line to Blaenau Ffestiniog is closed at the first drop of rain, snow or any wind above a gentle breeze. The mid Wales line is being used as a guinea pig for the ETCS control system which is beset with problems but Network Rail is insisting on it because its cheaper for them to run but it’s a massive problem for the train operators and makes the service for passengers much worse especially in times of disruption. At present a signalling problem at Abergavenny disrupts Abergavenny in the future a signalling problem at Cardiff ROC will cripple Wales.”
VetchClock believes: “TFW is a relative success. Problems with poor rail service is almost always down to track, trackside and signalling failures.”
HappyObadiah says: “I have used it for 30 years and I have never known it so bad. Even I drive to places that I used to use the train for, simply because there is always something wrong.”
Japar feels: “The past couple of years I would say that at least 50% off the train journeys I have made between Fishguard & Cardiff have either been disrupted or cancelled & shockingly the information you get given about alternative services, replacements buses etc is often incorrect.”
So would you welcome nationalisation of the railways? Join in the conversation HERE or in the comments below.