CarlisleCityRMT

Rail Strategies in Wales and Cross Border Rail Services

The proper organisation and funding of Welsh rail services is essential for the social, economic and environmental well-being of Wales and Borders. 23% of Welsh households do not have access to a car and without decent rail links many communities would be isolated. Therefore it is crucial that fares be affordable and there is a role for the Welsh Assembly to review the fare structure.

The Welsh Assembly Government has made use of devolved powers to re-open the Vale of Glamorgan line and the Western Valley Line. The 2006 Wales Transport Strategy - Connecting Wales noted that many of the rail corridors into cardiff are nearing capacity and there is an urgent need for capacity improvements, particularly if modal shift, including from road freight to rail freight, is to be encouraged. We welcome the new direct passenger link provided from North Wales to London.

Seeking to reduce its contributions to the railways, the UK Government asked bidders for the Great Western franchise to consider service reductions, including the hourly Cardiff-London trains and the secured a £1bn repayment over the course of the franchise from the successful applicant, First Group.

In December 2007 FGW ceased running the 15.15 from London Paddington through to Swansea, terminating instead, at Cardiff. The withdrawal of the Cardiff/Swansea portion of the service is expected to save FGW £1m per year. Inter-city passengers travelling to Swansea must detrain and wait for a local train at peak commuting time, which has led to overcrowding.

FGW's December 2007 timetable replace 10 faster, higher capacity and more comfortable 158 two-car units, with 12 class 142 two-car units. MP David Drew tabled Early Day Motion 546 in protest. The RMT would like the Welsh Assembly Government to play a more pro-active role in the procurement of new rolling stock in Wales.

In January 2008 FGW passengers held a 'fares strike' in protest at overcrowded, unreliable trains and rising fares. In March 2008 the Government announced FGW was in serious breach of its franchise agreement by exceeding cancellation limits. The Government forced the company to announce £29m remidial programme.

Arrive Trains Wales has reduced front-line staff to deal with the travelling public in the Guards department and station staff along the Holyhead-Manchester Piccadilly route.

The January 2007 North West Route Utilisation Strategy proposed to divert North Wales train services running to Manchester away from Piccadilly and into Manchester Victoria.

Endemic low pay in the rail industry is damaging for Welsh families and local communities. The RMT has called for every train operator to bring outsourced cleaning and catering services back in-house.