Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies is concerned that Avanti West Coast has not increased the number of direct services between the North Wales coast and London to six a day each way, as it had promised.
The company's services were scaled back due to the pandemic, but with all restrictions now lifted, over the last several months James has been calling for train services to return to pre-pandemic levels.
He therefore welcomed news from Avanti West Coast back in June that it would be running a virtually pre-pandemic timetable of six direct services each way from September 12th.
However, this has not happened and in fact the number of direct services has currently dropped to just one per day. Last week after contacting Avanti, James received a response citing "the dramatic drop in people willing to work overtime" [for their company] as the reason why.
James said:
"Avanti West Coast have assured me that they are working hard to rebuild their timetable in a 'resilient and sustainable' way. Whilst I appreciate their efforts, it does not help those rail users who are currently being inconvenienced by the much-reduced service.
"Due to the pandemic, and then the rail strikes, rail-users have faced over two and a half years of constant disruption. It simply isn't good enough.
"Travelling by train has become challenging. I have endured some nightmare rail journeys myself in recent months on both Avanti and Transport for Wales.
"If we are to ensure that people continue using our rail services, it is essential that all passengers are provided with a convenient and rapid service which they can rely on.
"Getting to and from London from North Wales by rail in this day and age should be fast and effortless, but sadly this is not currently the case.
"Avanti West Coast need to act swiftly to resolve the issues they are facing, so that at the very least the promised six direct services each way between London and North Wales are up and running very soon. I will continue applying pressure until they are."
