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Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal DemocratsRepresenting Aberavon, Bridgend, Gower, Neath, Ogmore, Port Talbot, and Swansea |
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Train company should lose franchise subsidy over failure to serve Swansea
November 6, 2006 8:01 PM
Peter Black and Martin Plant on Maesteg Railway station
The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black, has called on the Government to review the franchise of First Great Western after the company took the decision to axe the 5.18pm train from Cardiff to Swansea with effect from 11 December.
The train, which regularly carries up to 300 people west of Cardiff, has been scrapped because First Great Western believes that carrying passengers within Wales is not their job. Commuters will now have to wait an additional 20 minutes for the 5.38pm Arriva service, which takes longer, has only 100 seats and is already a busy train.
"The attitude of First Great Western to those commuters from Bridgend, Neath, Port Talbot and Swansea is appalling," said Mr. Black. "They are receiving a Government subsidy to run a service from London to Swansea. If they cease to do so then the Secretary of State for Transport should reduce their payments."
"At a time when Government is trying to reduce car usage and encourage people onto the railways this decision sends all the wrong signals. The sheer arrogance of First Great Western in this way is breathtaking. They should understand that Wales does not stop at Cardiff. If they cannot get that message then they should relinguish the franchise."
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