Councillor Lindsay Whittle, Plaid Cymru leader of Caerffili council, has spoken of his nightmare rail journey from Murrayfield – when many fans had to stand for the whole journey.
The fervent rugby fan, who had been to Edinburgh to watch Wales, has written to Welsh Transport Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones to express his disgust at the service provided by two railway companies.
He said: “On Sunday, February 13th, I was one of the many thousands who returned from Edinburgh by train with a change at Manchester.
“The treatment of hundreds of fans by the TransPennine rail company was appalling with hundreds of people having to standing on the train for a five-hour journey.
“This was exacerbated by the even worse treatment by Arriva Trains Wales for the final leg home. Just two carriages again, with many passengers standing the entire journey of eight hours. And when we got to Crewe, hundreds upon hundreds of Welsh rugby fans were left stranded at the station.
“The management of Arriva Trains Wales treated rugby fans appallingly and it was a very poor planning decision to only place two carriages for what was clearly going to be a very busy time,” added Councillor Whittle who has asked Mr Jones to raise the issue with the company.
He said: “This debacle strengthens the case put forward by Plaid for the rail service in Wales to be placed into the hands of a ‘not for profit company’ when Arriva Trains Wales franchise ends in 2018.
“This would generate an extra £10m a year to improve train services which are clearly needed. It would also enable investment in new rolling stock to help keep pace with demand.”
A 15-year franchise for running railway services in Wales was awarded to Arriva Trains Wales in 2003.
