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Agenda item

To receive a report by Lowri Joyce, Transport for Wales.

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed Lowri Joyce, Transport for Wales, to introduce herself and report on Transport for Wales' activity to date. She reported on the following matters:

 

o   She had been appointed by Transport for Wales in April 2019, after years of working in the Nuclear industry.

o   A route had been re-opened to enable trains to travel from Wrexham to Liverpool direct.

o   Transport for Wales was looking to increase capacity, including the return of trains pulled by a locomotive 

o   That the ‘delay repayscheme had commenced and refunded tickets if a train was late by 15 minutes or more.

o   It was intended to work closely with communities to improve community cooperation and encourage residents to help.

o   Performance was now being measured differently, and in greater detail.

o   There were now 120 new jobs, with a strong representation from the north that would advocate to improve provision.

o   They had learnt from the experience of users with the change in the free travel passes.  No passenger would be turned away once the new passes were operational therefore pass holders did not have to worry.

o   Good work had been undertaken in partnership with the Council by attending libraries to assist residents with applications for a new card.

o   A scheme to the value of £195 million had been launched to give customers a better experience, including installation of CCTV, wi-fi, shelters and cycle stores in every station.

o   The scheme would commence in the stations of Machynlleth and Dyfi Junction on the Cambrian Railway, with Machynlleth station also being a pilot dementia friendly station.

o   That it was proposed to look at dormant buildings to encourage their use.

 

Questions and observations arising from the discussion:

 

o   When trains are replaced by buses, a bus that is too small is provided and this means that passengers are left behind, especially those with bicycles and wheelchairs. 

o   That providing plenty of room for bicycles was important as there was an obvious demand on the Cambrian Coast Railway. It was hoped that the necessary space would be provided in the new vehicles that would be provided.

 

In response, Lowri Joyce noted that Transport for Wales was aware on the problems with buses, and an effort would be made to mitigate the problems in the future.

 

o   It was noted that there was not enough time sometimes to transfer from the train to a bus to continue the journey, in addition to gaps in provision in other places. 

 

In response, Lowri Joyce noted that an effort was being made to integrate transport services better, and stakeholders were welcome to contact her with any problems.

 

o   Whilst the cleaning of stations was welcomed, why had an overseas company been contracted to undertake the work?

 

In response, it was noted that it was a Welsh company who had won the contract, but there was no information about any sub-contracts or staffing to hand.

 

The members expressed their thanks for the report.