Passengers should see improved reliability

It is part of a drive by the Strategic Rail Authority to create one operator for regional rail services.

The latest move reflects the policy of the Strategic Rail Authority and the Welsh Asembly to improve rail services by eventually having just one operator in Wales.

The unification of regional rail services in Wales is expected to be completed in 2002.

On Sunday, Central Trains handed over the operation of services in mid-Wales, north-east Wales and part of Shropshire to the Cardiff-based Wales and Border Trains.

Rebranding

Stations at Chirk, Ruabon, Gobowen, and Shrewsbury will now be run by the new operator, as will all trains between Chester and Shrewsbury via Wrexham.

The stations at Wrexham and Chester are not included in the transfer, as they are currently operated by First North Western which is run from Manchester.

Eventually, all services other than the major inter-city routes to Paddington and Euston will be under one single operator.

This latest rationalisation has been welcomed by Mark Youngman, of the Rail Passengers Committee in Wales.

"It means rebranding and more local management for train services in Wales," said Mr Youngman.

"There will be local management structures so there will hopefully be more reliability and punctuality."

The single franchise operator has been tried in Scotland but is a new venture for Wales.