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Agenda item

To receive a report by Mr Ben Davies, Arriva Trains Wales.

Minutes:

A verbal report by Mr Ben Davies, Arriva Trains Wales was received, who noted that

 

·         there was an increase in the number of passengers who used the trains and that the problem was that they did not have enough trains;

·         Wi-fi provision would be ensured on the Cambrian's number 150, 158 and 175 trains from September onwards and he drew attention to the fact that some places could not receive a connection but it was ensured that it would be possible to have a connection in the Stations;

·         the Comedy Festival held in Machynlleth over the May Day Bank Holiday had been a success for the service and the community;

·         the hard work of promoting and developing the service would continue for the next two years until the franchise would come to an end;

·         the Orange Wallet Scheme for the needs of people with learning difficulties was very successful and that it was now being promoted in film form throughout the country;

·         in terms of announcements through the medium of Welsh on the Cambrian railway, it was assured that the Welsh language was important to Arriva Trains Wales and that a bilingual service would be arranged for every Station in Wales. It was noted further that there were no problems in the Stations but problems had been experienced on trains due to the distance between stations. In response to an enquiry by the Chairman regarding the timetable to receive bilingual provision on the Cambrian railway, Mr Ben Davies explained that it would not be possible to provide a specific date but that he would follow the matter up and ensure that the language provision would be included in the new franchise. It was further noted that all Arriva Trains Wales conductors were Welsh-speakers;

·         the lift would be completed in Machynlleth Station by 18 June 2016;

·         in terms of the 8.00pm train from Machynlleth to Pwllheli not stopping at all Stations along the line, it was explained that the main problem was the time limit for train drivers to drive without a break (4 hours) and if they had to stop at the different stations, they would exceed the time permitted to drive.   It was suggested that the best way forward was to discuss further with Mr Ken Skates, Assembly Member and an appeal was made for the Member of Parliament - Dwyfor/Meirionnydd and the Assembly Member - Dwyfor/Meirionnydd to pursue the matter as well;

·         discussions continued with Gwynedd Council regarding the Tourist Information Centre in Barmouth, as the Council was eager to close it and it currently sold tickets for Arriva Trains Wales for the Cambrian railway; 

·         a new trainline "app" for mobile phones was available to order tickets - "Arriva Train Tickets";

·         in terms of low platforms, Arriva Trains Wales had undertaken work to repair 27 of them and that more required work;

 

 

Resolved:                 To accept and note the report.

 

                                  (b) To send a letter of congratulations to Ken Skates, Assembly Member - Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure, Welsh Government and to invite him to attend a meeting of this Committee in future.