Transport for Wales (TfW) has issued a series of commitments to local rail users after the news that Rhiwbina, Whitchurch, and Birchgrove stations are among the worst performing in Britain.
In a blog post on its website, published yesterday (12 March), TfW acknowledges: "Our services on the Coryton line haven’t been good enough.
"Whether that’s down to trains being delayed, terminated early or cancelled altogether, the service we’ve delivered isn’t what you deserve.
"We know that and we really are sorry".
The post explains that, because of tight turnaround times at both ends of the journey - at Penarth and Coryton - any delay can have a ripple effect. And if a train is running very late, it may mean terminating early, for instance at Ty Glas, or running fast past several stations to the end of the route in order to get back on schedule.
It adds that new trains, on the line from the summer, will have better acceleration, greater capacity and more accessibility. With more carriages and more doors to board and leave from, TfW says it can save vital seconds and minutes at stations, which make a big difference over the course of a journey.
In a series of commitments, TfW says it will make changes to services affecting Llanishen, Lisvane, and Heath High Level to build in more recovery time. Also:
"We commit that if we have to run a train fast in one direction, we’ll make sure it stops in the other direction. So if a train is running late onto the Coryton Branch we miss the stops on the up journey to Coryton but ensure the service calls at all stops on the down journey from Coryton.
We commit that we will improve our information to customers and provide this in a timely fashion.
We commit to protect some key trains at school times and morning/evening commutes.
We commit to listen and remain open to specific ideas."
You can read the full statement here. It comes after we reported this week that local stations were among the worst performing in Britain, and we reported last month that TfW would reintroduce a Sunday service on the line and explore greater ferequency on weekdays.
🚆 Meanwhile, TfW has unveiled images of how Cardiff Central Station could look if plans go ahead.
There will be a focus on easing overcrowding and congestion and enabling better accessibility for those with reduced mobility.
Plans include a larger concourse to increase capacity, improve passenger flow and access through additional gate-lines, and help customers link up with other ways to travel.
The proposals are subject to planning and business case approval.
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