Hourly service will “only run for four months”

After more than a decade of campaigning by rail users in Newtown and throughout north Powys, it appears our long-awaited hourly train service will only operate four months of the year when it is finally introduced in 2026.

Initial plans have been released this week by Transport for Wales, infuriating one local politician who called the May-September plans “appalling”.

Under proposals by government-owned Transport for Wales, the Cambrian Line will also see four services cut between Machynlleth and Pwllheli (two in each direction).

But it’s the news of a scaled-back hourly service on the Cambrian Line between Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury from the summer of 2026 that has irked Welsh Liberal Democrats’ Mid & West Wales Liberal Democrat Senedd Member Jane Dodds.

“At a time where we should be encouraging rail usage and adding extra services, Labour is allowing Transport for Wales to make sweeping cuts to services in rural areas. It is an appalling state of affairs,” said Ms Dodds.

“While services in South Wales are being increased, North and Mid Wales are facing cutbacks. Year after year we see the same story from Labour in Cardiff Bay. 

“I am appealing to the Labour First Minister Eluned Morgan, who represents Mid & West Wales in the Senedd, to intervene directly to stop these cuts.”