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 Photo:- Robert Davies:-"Of Time and The Railway" |
THE SHREWSBURY - ABERYSTWYTH RAIL PASSENGERS' ASSOCIATION WELCOMES YOU TO THEIR WEBSITEThis page updated 6th March 2019 |
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SARPA is the local rail users group for the Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth
line
running from the English border through Montgomeryshire to the coast of
North
Ceredigion and ending up in the increasingly important University (and
Assembly administration
) town of
Aberystwyth. We exist to preserve and promote the line so that there is a
more sustainable
transport system for future generations. SARPA is one of the more active
rail
user groups in Wales and https://tfw.gov.wales/We are continually campaigning on
various issues from train times and frequency to station maintenance and
welcome any comments anybody has about the rail service in Mid Wales. The Wales and Borders Franchise changed hands in October 2018 and the bid has been won by KeolisAmey. We look forward to working with the new operator, who run under the brand name "Transport for Wales". |
CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE |
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Recent months have shown clearly that a group such as SARPA is still needed to push
for improvements on the railway. A very visible problem is the continuing shortcomings
in performance on the Cambrian, with a number of short-formed trains, some cancellations and passengers required to change trains in Machynlleth on a number of
occasions. Despite the efforts and lobbying by SARPA, the problems persist, although
they are less serious than they were last November.
What is less visible at the moment, but which will have a huge effect on services, is the question mark over Transport for Wales' promise to fit all the new DMUs with ERTMS. Instead, there are suggestions of only fitting the equipment to 21 2-car units (shared with Birmingham - Holyhead services), which will not be sufficient to deal properly with the present demand, let alone growth. Passenger numbers on the Cambrian have increased incredibly in recent years, especially since the introduction of additional services, and this can be expected to continue. As a result, there is a pressing need for more carriages on the line. Transport for Wales has promised 65% more seats across the Wales and Borders network, therefore it is only fair that the Cambrian should receive 65% more seats. Given this, we will need a lot more than 21 DMUs! SARPA will continue to lobby Transport for Wales, politicians and others to ensure improvements to services, and new trains that will be a genuine improvement to services on the Cambrian. Jeff Smith, Aberystwyth, March 2019 |
| You can see what we said about the railway industry in the past by clicking on this link to our archive page. We have archived all the newsletters back to November 2001. |
| Views expressed on the SARPA website are those of contributors and not necessarily representative of the Association and its Officers as a whole. Information provided is published in good faith, but
the Association cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage arising therefrom. Photographs used on the site are copyright of the photographers and should not be used without their permission by third parties. The Webmaster reserves the right to abridge or amend copy. |
| Please note that hyperlinks
included in the text throughout this site are intended for the benefit and information of our visitors. We try to include links that will be helpful for the understanding of railway terminology. They do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation on our part. |
Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth Rail Passengers Association (SARPA) c/o Newtown Station Travel The Railway Station Old Kerry Road Newtown, Powys, SY16 1BP Wales, United Kingdom © SARPA 2005-2019 All Rights Reserved Website:- Angus Eickhoff |