prta nl 90 july2010
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Get out of Traffic and
Into Training!
PEMBROKESHIREPEMBROKESHIRE
RAIL TRAVELLERSRAIL TRAVELLERSASSOCIATION.ASSOCIATION.www.prta.org.uk
NEWSLETTE
R
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90.July -2010.IF YOU HAVNT
PLEASE PAY YOUR 2010 SUB
PRTA: THE PEOPLE: 2009-2010
CHAIRMAN.
Bryan Morgan, Bulford Road, Johnston 01437890642
VICE CHAIRMAN:
Robert Best below
SECRETARY:
Pete Absolon01646 693498
Taberna Inn, Herbrandston Milford Haven [email protected]
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY & TREASURER:Robert Best11, Warwick Road, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire
WEBMASTER:David Harries 01646 [email protected]
TIMETABLEMASTER:
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David Watts 01646 [email protected]
NEWSLETTER EDITOR
Guy Hardy [email protected]
COMMITTEE:
Keith Bowskill; Pembroke;Allan Grieve; Neyland,Erene Grieve; Neyland.Janet Batey; Herbrandston
AIMS of PEMBROKESHIRE RAILTRAVELLERS ASSOCIATION:
1. To Pressfor improvements to rail and associated busservices in the area West of Carmarthen.
2. To encourage greater use of the current services
3. To assist in the improvement of the railway environment inparticular at stations
4. To liase with other pro rail organizations.
Passenger Rail is Going Places Join us for the Journey.
Fees are:4 electronic [all communication electronically]7 standard[MAIL]Corporate and Group: 5 electronic [all communication
electronically]10 standard [mail][50% AFTER July 1st]No joining fee.
See back page to Join/Renew.
CALL TO ACTION
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Seen any vandalism lately? seen any graffiti operators? people behaving suspiciously around the railway?
DIAL 0800 405040
HELP THE RAILWAY TO TAKE CARE OF ITSELF
EDITORIALWell now the elections over we can all finally graspjust what a mess the nations finances are in
whether the new form of government will be animprovement will be revealed in the future; this farit would be churlish to offer too much in terms ofcriticism. Having said that nothing can get us awayfrom the fact that the country has been spending ata level far ahead of its income and as every
householder knows the day of reckoning comessooner or later. What we have to ask ourselves is
how will this affect our railways and public transportgenerally? At this writing the answer is not clear.In the Spring the Welsh Assembly Governmentproduced a Wales Rail Improvement Plan QV
below despite some omissions it has somesubstantial improvements. Meantime the dismal
brigade in England are claiming that Whitehall arelooking at line closures and substantial servicereductions the Great Western electrification andHST replacement programmes are either in doubt orsignificantly delayed even the pensioners buspass is under scrutiny and Network Rail looks like it
will be going through the mangle.We are in a period of uncertainty for subsidised
public transport hopefully the government inCardiff will be a buffer for us against cuts but eventhe devolved administration must cut its coataccording to its cloth.All rail wheels turning West of Swansea receive taxpayer subsidy this doesnt necessarily make them
vulnerable they become easy targets if ridershipis low and the trains are empty so use the train
when you can!
Good Travelling!
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THIS ISSUE CALLS ON REQUESTAT:The
People..............................................................2Aims of The Pembrokeshire Rail TravellersAssociation..3Passenger Rail is Going Places Join Us For TheJourney.3
Call ToAction..........................................................3
Editorial..................................................................4
This Issue Calls On Requestat...................................4EditorsNotes...........................................................5
The Wales Rail ImprovementPlan...............................6PRTA AGM2010.......................................................7Non RegulatedFares................................................12
Safety is noAccident................................................12
UsefulContacts.......................................................13Taberna InnAd........................................................14Pleaserenew/Join.....................................................15
Heritage
Railways.....................................................16
EDITORS NOTESIn late March, Highland Airways, the operator of theWelsh Assembly Government air service from Valleyto Cardiff went into administration and all flightswere cancelled with immediate effect. The WAG hadasked for tenders in the Autumn of 2009 for a new
four year contract on the route using larger aircraft
Highland Airways were the only tenderers. The airservice attracted an annual subsidy of 800K as
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opposed to the WAG subsidy of the One WalesExpress [Hollyhead Cardiff] which is 2Million PA.
WAG will provide funding [see 5 year plan] for ATW
to refurbish 24 2 carriage 158 sets and 8 single car153s this is expected to be completed by the end
of 2012.
Travelling from Milford Haven to Derby fare infoobtained highlighted the present chaos All with senior railcardDerby-Milford [Monday] 45-75 singleMilford Derby [Monday] 56-75
Anytime return 68-95National Express 24-40 return[over 60 ticket nocard]Road is about 12 gallons + overhead depending ontype of car etc
Our Community Rail Partnership is collaboratingwith the other 5 partnerships in Wales in theSustainable Tourism by Public Transport Offer to the
world outside Wales. This has involved running
stands on stations at Marylebone in London,Manchester, Cardiff, Shrewsbury and Llangollen.
Network Rail is currently advertising for 25 publicmembers it wants people who will seek assurance
rather than voice ones own opinions That skillin asking questions is not necessarily dependent on
having knowledge of the operation of the railways.It is more related to the effectiveness of askingquestions, the perceptiveness of questioning andthe willingness to listen to the explanations andacceptance of alternative viewpoints. So thatsalright then!
Gordon Browns administration made Network Railexempt from freedom of information requests butthe new government has removed this. Now NRsMichael Coucher has announced he is steppingdown with effect from 17 June but will stay on until
a replacement is found. Meantime the FOI requestsare arriving at NRs door the company is
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estimated to have paid out 15million to leavingemployees to effectively gag them in some casespaying out virtually at the court doors to get actionstopped.
Will the new administration have a look at ORR?
ORR has 340 full time employees but paidconsultants 2million in 2008-9 it cost over
32million in this year.
ORR revealed that apportioning blame for traindelays involves 300-500 people [2008]
THE WALES RAIL IMPROVEMENTPLAN.
In late March the Welsh Government produced a 5year National Transport Plan. Promises for actiontherein are:
Valley Lines improvements with additional platformsat Pontypridd, Caerphilly and Barry[work starting by
2014]
Additional carriages on peak trains and new stationat Energlyn near Caerphilly.
Developing plans for additional servicesPontypridd/Caerphilly Cardiff
Work with Network Rail to redouble Loughor
Gowerton
Additional hourly services on Vale of Glamorganline after Cardiff resignalling
Extended hourly service from Maesteg to Cardiffand Brackla
Daytime hourly trains Aberystwyth Shrewsbury by2011
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Developing plans for additional Heart of Wales lineservices
Complete improvement to Gaer Junction by 2011
with feasibilty work on hourly services from EbbwVale to both Cardiff and Newport and on a new
central Ebbw Vale station.
Improvements in North South services withcontinued support for Hollyhead Cardiff fast trainservice.
Enhance capacity of Shrewsbury Chester line to
route all North South services via Wrexham.
Start to remove high platforms/ train steps by 2011 pilot programmes at Aberdovey and Valley Linestations.
Programme to improve stations and interchanges.
Refurbish and invest in rolling stock to improve
actual and perceived security, comfort and journey
times, and improve cycle provision.
Work with DfT on Great Western electrification,business case for the electrification of further linesand to make sure Wales is connected to the
developing high speed network.
Investigate opportunities to re-open disused lines.
Continue to provide freight facilities grants.COMMENT>No additional trains then for Fishguard no mentionof enhanced service through Loughor- Gowerton
re doubling here without increases in the number oftrains would be hard to justify financially as thepresent service is running pretty well on the singletrack. Again the Swansea District Line is ignored.Improvements in train service on the Heart of Walesmight give sensible connections at Llanelli but dont
hold your breath! It seems that West Wales has no
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clout in the WAG.PEMBROKESHIRERAIL TRAVELLERS ASSOCIATION
2010 AGM
Annual general meeting of the PRTA Taberna 9th
June 2010, agenda as in recent newsletterPresent: Peter, Brian, Keith, David H, David W,RobertApols: Guy, Janet, Erene, Alan
Welcome by chairman
Minutes of last years AGM were approvedMatters arising David W asked about the website
counter (see webmaster report)Chairmans address (Brian Morgan)
This had been quite a successful year. Wehad pressed for improvements at MilfordHaven station. The assembly had granted
90,000 for a better bus-rail link. Thechairman will be meeting Paul Davies on
Monday night and will keep the topic under
dicsussion. Robert suggested that 90,000would cover a new shelter and a TVinformation screen. David W wanted to besure that a path would be constructedacross the garden area, as it would be far
cheaper than trying to keep people off it.
CRO had done a fantastic job, we had
campaigned to have her hours increased.
It was still clear at station adopters
meetings that ATW believes it is still doingwell. There will be no extra trains/facilitiesunless someone pays.
The chairman thanked officers and committee fortheir efforts over the year.Secretarys report (Peter Absolon)
Most correspondence communicated as ithappens.
We have reviewed two consultationtimetables about six months ahead of
introduction.
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Meetings during last year:
March 25th 2009 AGM
June 3rd2009 Committee
June 30th 2009 Committee and Community Rail officer
August 11th 2009 Committee and Ben Davies of ATW,CRO and NPTF
October 13th 2009 Just a few of us turned up
December 16th 2009 Committee
April 27th 2010 Committee
Today AGM
Fewer meetings than usual would we benefitfrom setting a fixed meeting day every couple
of months and from slotting special meetings
with external bodies/people on days to suitthem?
6. Treasurers report (Robert Best)
Money at bank Current 660.19
Paid in 111.00
Total at 8 June 771.19
Deposit account 376.00
Cash 42.00Paid out 7.80
Remaining 8th June 35.20
6a Membership secretarys report (Robert Best) current
membership 33 (Last year 30)
7. Webmasters report (David H) confirmed that acounter counts how many people access our
website this can be reset if we wish to count aparticular time interval8. Timetablemasters report(David W) apologized
for late production of PRTA timetables, but TTswere received late from Arriva. Robert sayseveryone he has spoken to likes the A5
timetable.9. Newsletter editors report (Guy submitted a
written report)
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This is the first AGM of the Association that I havebeen unable to attend since it started and I send
apologies.
Six Newsletters have been produced over the lastyear 1 x 24pp, 1 x 26pp, 2 x 28pp, 1 x 32pp and1 x 40pp.
Producing a newsletter every eight weeks for thearea West of Carmarthen is something of a
challenge despite making every effort I amsometimes conscious that the local content issometimes a little under strength and commentary
on the wider rail goings on is a regular feature. Inthe past this has been commented on in the annualmembers survey but this year there has been no
criticism and the NL has received generalappreciation as per the write up in no 89 May.
Generally pursuit of copy is a challenge and Iacknowledge and thank those members of thecommittee who have sent in pieces to include thesecretary and timetablemaster have been
particularly kind in this respect. Any comment ortrip report is welcome subject to space the supplytends to be feast or famine as you can imagine.
Guy was complimented on the quality of thenewsletter
10. Elections all officers re-elected, suitablyproposed and seconded. Committee re-electeden bloc, also, suitably proposed and seconded.
11. AOB secretary asked to follow up various
problems responses to date from ATW inboxes, but work still in progress at Arriva:- 7.09 from Pembroke Dock getting stuck
outside Swansea, rendering connection withLondon train problematic.
From ATWApologies for the delay, I will deal withthese asap but do you have a date relating
to late arrival of the 0709 at Swansea?Further to previous e-mail,having discussedwithy colleagues, the 0809 from Cardiff
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doesnt appear as a rogue service but wewill monitor this one especially for the
effects that you have pointed out. There is apotential congestion issue around Swanseaat this time of day but, generally then planworks pretty well to accommodate thenumber of trains around the station. Thereis one fallback on weekdays if the 0709
misses the London connection at Swanseaand that is to carry on to Cardiff to connect
with the xx55 service.I have supplied Michael with info from Keithon dates
-Timetable suggesting that trains dont reallyconnect (7.09 with 9.29 at Swansea)
From ATWI can only apologise, the connection atSwansea of the 0709 Pembroke Dock time
is an error on my part. I will make sure it isshown correctly when we republish the
pocket timetables.
- Indicator display on platform 1 at
Carmarthen now only displays Plat 1 trains.From ATWI have now had the circumstances checkedand confirm that there is a train summaryscreen in the booking office but accept thatnothing similar exists on the platform. We
do have staff there 24 hours a day toprovide customer assistance, however theStation Manager will investigate whether wecan install another summary screen on the
platform also.
- Difficulty buying Pembs Railcard locally.
From ATWI can only apologise for the service providedbut be assured that I have made everyoneaware.
From: ATWMust say Im very surprised my team
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dont have named contacts at LocalAuthorities.
Weve had Pembs Railcard forms for some2-3 months ready to send out, so not
certain why this wasnt done.If he can supply more details (i.e. name ofcommittee member who contacted us, ande-mail address if possible) I can investigatefurther to see if someone has gone rogue
with the info theyve been giving.
I have sent info supplied by David H givingcustomer query reference number.
From: ATW MarketingI have asked Teleri to make the necessaryamendments to the website (refers to my
suggestion that the ATW website might tellyou how to buy one, like the National Railsite does!)
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Free bus service Rhoose station to CardiffAirport does it run or not, conflicting info onwebsites
From ATWI confirm that the free shuttle bus is
continuing to run. Previously the airportitself funded it but sough to withdraw it
bacause of the lack of patronage. WAG nowfund the service and I am not sure how longthis arrangement will last but I believe it will
be for at least 12 months. We were notadvised that they would continue to fund ituntil the week before its intended
withdrawal. The infomatioin on our websitetherefore is correct and it would appear thatno-one has advised Traveline, my colleaguewill arrange. In the event, whateverinformation you need and can't find it, letme know and I will try and get it for you as
soon as possible.
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Other items- Robert reported on a round UK trip he had
prebooked for 55, Milford to London toManchester to Birmingham to Milford.
-Had there been too many class 175 failureslately?
- Brian still thinks we should try to get allMilford to Manchester trains made of three
coaches logic of train allocation explainedby Peter, based on previous info fromArriva.
- David W reported that Bridgend bus stationhas display TV for train times.
-
A customer had asked what to do if takingill on a train do we always know where theguard is (oddly, one of my rail mags had asimilar comment this month, suggestingthat the buffet car steward was a naturalpoint to report problems but that nowArrivas XC had replaced buffet cars withtrolleys, you couldnt guarantee to find helpin one single place).
- Keith said that ATW trains had been very
very reliable for a long time12. Date of next meeting Monday 6th September at
Taberna (but see email from ATW). Discussionto include timing of AGM in the PRTA year.
Peter Phone: 01646 693498Email: [email protected]
NON REGULATED FARES
One way that train operators have been able to get
round the limitations imposed by government fareregulation is to change the fare validity on trains
this can be done by declaring that peak travellinghours when certain tickets are not valid areextended. In the Spring 200 services were switchedfrom off peak to peak . On Virgin LondonManchester fares which were 66 are now 262 on
the trains affected on Telford London fares theincrease was from 45 to 158. ATOC claimed that
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the average rise in fares in January 2010 was just1.1% but thats small beer if a traveller is faced withthe kind of increases above.
SAFETY IS NO ACCIDENT!
A SAFE TRIP IS A GREAT TRIP!
#Arrive at your station early to avoidrushing for your train
# Think about parking logistics beforesetting out
# Watch your step when boarding andleaving the train
# Use handholds/handrails when boarding
and moving through the train
# When alighting organise luggage andmove to the vestibule in plenty of time
# Walk dont run on stations and in trains
# Read safety info on board.
USEFUL CONTACTS.ATW Station Manager for our areaArriva Trains Wales, St. Marys House, Penarth
Road, Cardiff 08456061660
ticket sales 08709000773www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk
National Rail Enquiries 0845 7484950 Welshlanguage 0845 6040500
Disabled Assistance 0845 3003005
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British Transport Police 0800 405040 LOCAL police0845 3302000Cycling on rail 0870 9000772Lost Property 0845 6061660
UK Traveline for bus information 0870 6082608www.internet.xephos.com uk all modes journey
plannerwww.bahn.de timetable planner pan Europe
German railways but in English!Milford Travel. Charles Street, Milford Haven 01646692268Milford Station Office [open mornings] 01646693460
Traintracker for current running info 08712004950Transport for London 02072221234Great Western Ticket Line 0845 7000125Great Western On Line Ticket Saleswww.firstgreatwestern.co.ukGreat Western group travel 0845 7413777Great Western Plus Bus www.plusbus.org.ukcheckadd -on fares
Virgin Trains www.virgintrains.co.uk
National Rail Information www.nationalrail.co.ukwww.transport-direct.org.uk public transport infoEuropacar UK car rental01133882429Pembrokeshire County Council forbus timetable info 01437 764551
National Express 0870 5808080Richards Bros 01239 613756 www.gobybus.net
www.richardsbros.co.ukSilcox Buses 01646 683143www.silcoxcoaches.co.ukNorth Pembrokeshire transport [email protected] Cymru buses 0870 6082608
www.firstgroup.comPembrokeshire County Council Greenways 01437776313 [email protected] of the Earth www.foepenfro.org.ukFestiniog/ Welsh highland Railwayswww.festrail.co.uk01286 677018
Beacons Bus 01873 853254www.visitbreconbeacons.com
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http://www.internet.xephos.com/http://www.bahn.de/http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/http://www.plusbus.org.uk/http://www.plusbus.org.uk/http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/http://www.transport-direct.org.uk/http://www.gobybus.net/http://www.silcoxcoaches.co.uk/mailto:[email protected]://www.firstgroup.com/mailto:[email protected]://www.foepenfro.org.uk/http://www.festrail.co.uk/http://www.visitbreconbeacons.com/http://www.internet.xephos.com/http://www.bahn.de/http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/http://www.plusbus.org.uk/http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/http://www.transport-direct.org.uk/http://www.gobybus.net/http://www.silcoxcoaches.co.uk/mailto:[email protected]://www.firstgroup.com/mailto:[email protected]://www.foepenfro.org.uk/http://www.festrail.co.uk/http://www.visitbreconbeacons.com/ -
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Carmarthenshire County Council [email protected] of Wales Flexipass 0870 9000777www.walesflexipass.com
Great Western Customer [email protected]
Pembrokeshire Rail Travellers Associationwww.prta.org.uk
Bus users UKwww.bususers.orgAcorn Travel 01348 74728www.acorntravel.comTrans Wales Bus www.trawscambria.infoSouth West Wales Integrated TransportConsortium: SWWITCHwww.swwitch.org.uk
www.Seat61.com a useful site for overseas railtravelLlandrindod Wells Booking Office Kelsham Hannah01597822053Ludlow Station Travel Railway Station, Ludlow01584877090Arriva Cross country www. Crosscountrytrains.co.uk[Cardiff NottinghamEast Midlands Trains www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk
08457125678
Swiss Timetable: www.ch.co
TABERNAINN
Herbrandston, Milford Haven,
Pembrokeshire, SA73 3TD- Goodfood, real ale, pleasant
conversation -- Restaurant, bistro, lounge
or bar -- On coast path and bus
routes -
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mailto:[email protected]://www.walesflexipass.com/mailto:[email protected]://www.prta.org.uk/http://www.bususers.org/http://www.acorntravel.com/http://www.acorntravel.com/http://www.swwitch.org.uk/http://www.swwitch.org.uk/http://www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk/mailto:[email protected]://www.walesflexipass.com/mailto:[email protected]://www.prta.org.uk/http://www.bususers.org/http://www.acorntravel.com/http://www.swwitch.org.uk/http://www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk/ -
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- B&B from 18 pppn Private
functions by arrangement - Open: Midday-closeevery day
Food: 12-2 and 6-9 exceptwinter Sunday evenings, booking
advisable
Telephone 01646 693498email:[email protected]:http://taberna.mysite.freeser
ve.com
Advertisement. The Taberna is inthe Good Beer Guide for 2010
PRTA: A voluntary lobbyfor public transport since1989. :PLEASE RENEW /JOINMEMBERSHIP FOR 2010
NAMEADDRESS
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EMailMobile
..PostCode..Phone
.Ring Type Required :Individual: Electronic 4Hard Copy 7
Corporate: Electronic 5Hard Copy 10.Electronic Membership gives allcommunication from the Association by EMail.Hard copy gives all communication fromthe Association by Snail Mail.
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Send PRTA Infoto
...................................Make cheques payable toPembrokeshire Rail TravellersAssociation and send to Robert Best,11, Warwick Road, Milford Haven
Thanks.If you are an electronic member:TO REPLICATE AND PRINT THIS A 5 NEWSLETTER SET
MARGINS AT 2CMS ALL ROUND/PRINT 2 PAGES/SHEET -EG:
PAGE NOS 20,1 THEN 2,19 AND SO ON
www.prta.org.uk
HERITAGE RAILWAYS:
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[Brandbright] Was it better 80/90 yearsago?
PRTA yourvoluntarylobby in thetransport
sector
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