You may be interested in this letter from the local SARPA rail users Association to Powys County Council, it was signed by the Chairman
I write on behalf of the Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth Rail Passenger Association.
Regrettably we find the proposed timetables currently on the Powys CC website as being re-tendered unacceptable due to the abject failure to coordinate timetables between the bus and rail services.
We are particularly concerned at two locations, Newtown where a very expensive street works programme is being undertaken to "link" the bus and train stations with a futile delineated walkway as the timetables do not coordinate and at Welshpool where the existence of the railway station has not seemed to register at all.
Newtown
Powys CC seems to have a poor grasp of the concept of integrated transport altogether, multi - modal journeys are facilitated by proximity and co-ordination we can clearly see that the utmost is being done to discourage this with a 5-10 minute walk between bus and rail stations followed up by timetables that ensure missed connections.
X44 Newtown to Brecon and Merthyr - the selected departure times from Newtown at 1005, 1205 in the middle of the day ensure no connections can be made with the 1005 and 1205 train arrivals from Shrewsbury. An hours wait is on offer from the 1405 train arrival until 1505. The 0835 departs 11 minutes before the 0846 arrival form Aberystwyth, the 1005 and 1205 41 minutes before arrivals form Aberystwyth, 1625 & 1825 departures 21 minutes before the train arrives from Aberystwyth.
The arrival times at 0955 ,1155,1355, 1555 and 1755 all present 51 minute waits for trains to Shrewsbury.
X75 Llanidloes to Shrewsbury
The sorry tale continues arrivals in Newtown from Llanidloes for 0845, 1100,1300 & 1500 all miss Shrewsbury bound trains which leave Newtown @ 0846,1046,1246,1446.....
Departures to Llanidloes at 0900, 1100, 1300, 1500 are all 55 minutes after a train arrives, those at 1600 & 1800 5 minutes before the train arrives and 1910 65 minutes after.
Does Powys CC remember the grand promises made when the Mid Wales line closed regarding the replacement bus series allowing people to make onward journeys?
How about north of Newtown and the ever expanding village of Abermule whose residents have tho watch the train whiz through non stop. Arrival times at 1055,1255,1455 see the train to Shrewsbury missed by 9 minutes, the 1555 and 1755 arrivals allow a wait of 51 minutes.
X85 Machynlleth to Newtown.
With departures from Newtown at 1005,1205,1405,1600 & 1805 missing the trains from Shrewsbury whom arrive at 1005,1205,1405,1605 & 1805 its little wonder the village of Carno wants its rail station reopened. Arrivals at 0955.1155,1355,1555 and 1755 give a comfy 51 minute wait but will anyone travel as they cant travel in the opposite direction?
Firstly we ask that buses are routed back to the railway station and that the expensively installed bus lane at the station is actually used.
Secondly we ask that someone actually plans the timetables with reference to the rail service. Its not rocket science all over Europe can be found coordinated timetables even elsewhere in the UK and Wales. What make Powys so special that this basic cannot be done?
Welshpool
Firstly we would like to point out the existence of a railway station there. Whereas in Newtown services are being diverted away from the railway stations pre-existing bus stop, Welshpool is not even allowed a bus stop at its railway station or any signage telling potential passengers where the non coordinated buses depart from. This would at least be a start.
We would like to see the 76,88 and X75 services plus the Montgomery 71 service to stop near the railway station. Are second point above re Newtown serves for Welshpool also.
ends
