Passengers' hopes for rail cash

Kevin Leonard BBC Wales news website

Investment will allow trains to run more frequently

Passengers have been giving their reaction to a proposed multimillion-pound investment in the rail network in south Wales.

While passenger numbers continue to increase, the network in Cardiff is struggling to cope with the demand.

But Monday's �52m announcement by the transport minister aims to improve the infrastructure across the region.

It includes a major revamp for Newport station and extra platforms at an expanded Queen St station in Cardiff.

The investment will eventually allow more trains and extra carriages, particularly at peak times.

Mike Bagshaw, commercial director for train operator Arriva, was one of the rail managers gathered on platform 3 of Cardiff Central station as the investment plan was unveiled.

He said the number of passengers coming into Cardiff by train had increased substantially over recent years.

"That growth is set to continue particularly with the price of petrol," said Mr Bagshaw.

I think I would use the train more often if they were more regular Fiona Minto �52m plan to cut rail congestion

"We're running as many trains as we can through places like Cardiff Queen Street and Newport stations.

"We're looking at running longer trains in the short term but we need infrastructure improvement to be able to run more services."

And while most passengers seemed relatively happy with their train services, many welcomed any investment that could improve the frequency and punctuality of services.

Luke Campbell, who was waiting for a train at Cardiff Queen Street station, said he commuted to work by train from Barry.

"The service is all right. It's not too bad but could be better," he said.

"In the mornings when everyone is going to work, there aren't enough carriages.

"It's too packed and everyone is crammed together."

Fiona Minto had made a rare trip by train from her home in the northern Cardiff suburb of Coryton.

"I use the train only about once a year because I normally get a lift into Cardiff," she said.

Quite often the train's late but usually it's fine because there's one every 15 to 20 minutes Shalini Gowreesunkur

"I think I would use the train more often if they were more regular and I didn't have to wait around so much.

"I would use the train for shopping in town more."

Maria Daly said she used the train occasionally and, despite occasional delays, described her experiences as "not bad".

"We go to Cheltenham to see my son every now and again.

"I would use it more often if services were more frequent."

Shalini Gowreesunkur, 23, uses the train every day to commute from Newport to Cathays in Cardiff.

"Quite often the train's late but usually it's fine because there's one every 15 to 20 minutes," she said.

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