December 16, 2019 - 1614 views
Yesterday saw the start of a new train timetable in North Wales fulfilling the promise of additional services and improvements in the experience for weekend travellers.
The launch was not quite as expected as staff shortages caused cancellations and delays to some services between Chester and Holyhead.
However there was better news on the Llandudno Junction to Blaenau Ffestiniog line as customers enjoyed the very first out-of-season Sunday service.
Whilst train services operate down the Conwy Valley during the summer, many local people struggle to get about on Sundays in late Autumn and the winter months.
Transport for Wales (TFL) claim that the new timetable increases services by 40% and has made a significant step toward the creation of a truly 7-day railway.
An additional 186 Sunday services will provide an economic boost throughout the country, providing essential links between cities, towns and villages. Additional seasonal services will now run all year along the North Wales Coast as well as increased frequencies on valley lines.
The Cambrian coast will also see a huge benefit, going from one Sunday service a day in each direction between Machynlleth and Pwllheli to five in each direction.
In addition the cost of travelling on the train in North Wales and across the country is set to fall in 2020.
TFL who took over the running of services from Arriva, has said it will cut ticket prices by an average of 7% in North Wales overall and 10% on some South Wales routes.
The fall in ticket prices will be dependent on the route taken and length of journey.
In some cases travellers will see little or no change to the real cost of travel as Transport for Wales say they are duty bound to raise price annually in line with the RPI figure. This was recorded as an increase of 2.8% over the year and is expected to be passed onto customers.
