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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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Rail Companies are taking passengers for a ride claims Assembly Members
October 22, 2008 12:00 AM
The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has claimed that the rail companies are providing poor value for money and subjecting their passengers to needless overcrowding.
Mr. Black said:
"A recent National Audit Office report has disclosed that the rail companies have put up non-regulated fares by 6%-7%, with some rising by 20%. Even their regulated fares have gone up by more than inflation. In addition, passenger overcrowding is set to get worse.
"Here in our region, we too have seen fares rise by more than inflation, with a promise of more of the same from the operators. In addition, too many of our trains are overcrowded, particularly on the late afternoon Cardiff to Swansea run.
"However, while the UK Government is investing £10bn of our money in relieving overcrowding, and 1300 new carriages have been ordered, the private train operators are sitting on new and nearly new carriages that would provide 10,000 extra seats right now.
"These carriages are owned by three banks, and the train companies are letting them lie idle in sidings up and down the country because they don't want the extra cost of hiring them. Train operators are taking their passengers for a ride, choosing to make them stand whilst the companies pocket the extra cash.
"Assembly Ministers should act now to force the train operators to hire some of these spare carriages for the Swansea to Cardiff run, and for all of the other overcrowded lines in Wales."
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