"Train Companies must do better"

11.38.40am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 1st Feb 2007

Welsh Liberal Democrat Enterprise, Innovation and Networks spokesperson, Kirsty Williams, has expressed her concern at the findings of the latest National Passenger Survey of train users.

The survey, conducted by Passenger Focus, found First Great Western had failed to improve in a single service area since the last survey, while 42 per cent of Arriva Trains Wales passengers were dissatisfied with on-board toilet facilities.

Ms Williams said: "For environmental reasons, and to reduce congestion, it is vital that we encourage more people to use public transport. This is never going to happen, however, whilst so many people are dissatisfied with facilities at train stations and on-board trains. I recognise that acquiring new rolling stock, for example, is an expensive and time-consuming process, but it is extremely disappointing that both First Great Western and Arriva Trains Wales are unable to meet passengers expectations over simple things like dealing with delays or the availability of staff at stations.

"I will be writing to both companies to express my concerns to them, and will continue to press the Welsh Assembly Government to do what it can to improve passengers experience of train travel. The Welsh Liberal Democrats have long called for greater Government investment in rolling stock, and for examining the case for the Government to buy its own rolling stock to lease to train companies. It is certainly clear from these survey results that things will need to change if we are serious about increasing train passenger numbers."

Notes:

· Passenger Focus' National Passenger Survey Autumn 2006 was published this week. The survey is published twice a year and assesses a number of service aspects, both at train stations and on-board trains. The full results are available at their website (www.passengerfocus.org.uk).