‘Extra Sunday trains should be made permanent’ says Cynon AM

Cynon Valley Assembly Member Vikki Howells is making sure her campaign to get extra train services for her constituency remains on track.

With substantial public backing, Vikki Howells AM secured the provision of four additional Sunday services from Aberdare, including the important addition of an earlier service so people could choose to use the train to get to work.

Whilst the four extra services were provided on a temporary basis in December during the run up to Christmas, the local politician is now making the case that they should now be provided on a permanent basis.

Vikki Howells AM said:-

“Many constituents have contacted me to tell me about the difference these extra services have made, helping them travel for employment, leisure or to visit family.

“Public transport is a lifeline for many, but if we also want to encourage more people out of their cars we need to make sure timetabling meets needs and is fit for purpose.

“I have written to the Managing Director of Arriva Trains Wales to ask him to increase provision on a permanent basis to make sure this is the case.

“I have also sought the support of Welsh Government, and was pleased with the strong backing they have given to my campaign”.

The Cynon Valley AM had asked Welsh Transport Secretary Ken Skates AM to support her calls during a recent Senedd session.

Replying to Vikki Howells AM, Ken Skates AM said:-

“A lack of appropriate, reliable and affordable transport still remains as one of the biggest barriers that people face in trying to access work and stay in work.

“So, I was very pleased that Arriva Trains Wales decided to put on these additional services, and I would hope that the pilot scheme was a great success and might lead to a longer term provision of additional services.

“We are incentivising bidders to enhance services across the network, including, crucially I believe, on Sundays, given that many people do now work on the weekends, and particularly on Sundays”.