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00:00Y Dirprwy Lywydd, what assessment has the Cabinet Secretary made of the impact of the
00:05new Cambrian line timetable on local residents?
00:08OAQ52323 Mark Drakeford AM
00:08I thought Wales rail services were more reliable than all other operators in Wales last year.
00:13Service performance has improved further with the introduction of the new timetable in December,
00:18including on the Cambrian line.
00:19Gareth Bennett AM Thanks for the response.
00:22The Cabinet Secretary will be aware of my concerns at the changes to the Cambrian line
00:26timetable following previous questions and engagements on the issue.
00:30It was great to hear earlier answers on improvements to the south and the north
00:34Wales lines, but thatÃs of scant consolation to the people along the Cambrian line.
00:39The changes that have come into force are proving to be extremely detrimental to my constituents,
00:44people who canÃt travel to work, canÃt go shopping or to see their family and friends,
00:48and are essentially pushing people into more expensive and environmentally damaging car use.
00:54The changes were justified at the time based on low passenger use,
00:58something the Cabinet Secretary himself said in a previous answer to me,
01:01but surely the Cabinet Secretary knows that, for most of the last 10 years,
01:05the line has been disrupted, from the reconstruction of Pontbriwet 10 years ago,
01:09a five-month closure because of weather, winter closures due to Barmouth Bridge redevelopment,
01:14Covid and other impacts.
01:15So, youÃll understand why I and my electors doubt the case that has been put forward.
01:20We need to see a line that answers the needs of the residents.
01:23So, do you accept that the changes have been detrimental, and will you commit to ensure
01:27that a more regular train service is reinstated on the Cambrian line?
01:32Well, can I thank the Member for his question?
01:34Difficult decisions were made, as I mentioned earlier, regarding the utilisation of rolling
01:41stock across Wales.
01:43I was pleased, though, that Transport Wales did engage with passengers and they amended
01:49some of their proposals as a result of that feedback that they received.
01:55The December timetable change has led to improved punctuality and performance,
02:03and itÃs my hope that, as a result of that, weÃll also see an increase in the number of people
02:07using that particular line.
02:09If we can drive up patronage, that surely helps the argument for increasing service provision.
02:15And so, we will be assessing the impact that itÃs had on communities, and at further timetable
02:21changes, once we get more trains delivered and we see that huge increase to 483 trains
02:28achieved, then we hopefully will be able to reinstate more services.
02:33But it is finite, the resource thatÃs available to us, and Transport Wales have had a very,
02:38very difficult task, IÃm afraid, in recent times in determining which services can be
02:43maintained against a very, very bleak financial outlook.
02:46WeÃve had a much better settlement, obviously, from the UK Government now, so I am hopeful
02:51that, in future years, as we see greater investment, but also as we see the fare box increase,
02:57we will see more services across Wales.
03:01Jane Dodds AM, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Islands
03:07Thank you very much to Mabon for asking this question.
03:09It is really concerning, isnÃt it, that weÃve had these cuts to the Cambrian line.
03:14For example, the early morning Machynlleth to Barmouth return service has been removed.
03:20I myself, when I lived in Welshpool, I had the same experience in terms of not being
03:26able to get to work.
03:27When I went for my usual 6.30 am train, it had been cancelled and the next one was at
03:339 am.
03:35The Welsh Government have been promising an hourly service on the Cambrian line for over
03:4010 years now, and still residents along that line, many of whom use it for work and for
03:47things like shopping and attending appointments, actually rely on it.
03:52So, I wonder if we can press you, or at least press you, for a date when there will be confirmation
03:59about when the new hourly service will be introduced, because I think that, really,
04:05information to residents is what we need here, and the earlier that they know, the better
04:10when that line will actually be running at the service level thatÃs expected.
04:14Diolch yn fawr iawn.
04:15Mark Drakeford AM I thank Jane Dodds for her question.
04:19As IÃve already said, it was a very, very difficult decision for Transport for Wales
04:23to make, but they did consult then with user groups and passengers, and whilst the 0507
04:30McIntyreleth to Barmouth service was removed and the 0645 Barmouth to McIntyreleth service,
04:37they did retain the 852 McIntyreleth to Pertheli service and the 1137 Pertheli to McIntyreleth
04:44service, so they were listening and they did act on what they heard.
04:48New trains are going to be introduced this year.
04:51TheyÃll be more comfortable.
04:52TheyÃll be more reliable, and from May of this year, a year-round 1630 service will
04:59be introduced between Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury, and TFW are aiming to introduce an hourly
05:05service on this route during the summer months from May of next year.