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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 12th September 2020 |
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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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Despite the issues caused by Covid-19, SARPA continues to function. We are
continuing to lobby regarding the design of the new trains, answering consultations and
so on. This includes the number of toilets on the trains, the number of carriages and
seats on them and their fuel. I'm saddened that the situation has not changed at all
since the publication of the last newsletter, but we are trying hard to change things.
We have not met face to face since March, however the committee has continued to
meet virtually online on a monthly basis. All our meetings will be online for the near
future, including our Annual General Meeting, until it is safe for us to physically meet
again. We are aware that this disenfranchises some of our members who do not have
an internet connection or do not have the appropriate software to join the meetings, but
we don't have much choice! So apologies to those of you who will be unable to attend
the AGM this year.
A few days before I wrote this message, the Welsh Government and Transport for Wales announced that they are lifting the ban on non-essential train journeys, which is likely to increase usage of the line and which has been welcomed by a number of formerly-regular passengers along the line. Also, it is now mandatory to wear a face covering on the trains, social distancing measures are still in place on the trains and tickets have to be purchased before travel since there will be no onboard ticketing. Stay safe, and remember to wear a mask if you're travelling by train. Jeff Smith, Aberystwyth, August 2020 |
| 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 Arosfa, 7 Railway Terrace, Heol y Doll, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8BJ Wales, United Kingdom © SARPA 2005-2020 All Rights Reserved Website:- Angus Eickhoff |