Train passengers have criticised the conditions in what they have described as ‘dangerously overcrowded’ trains
The train was already packed before it got to Cardiff(Image: Jo Kiernan)
Passengers have slammed what they say are dangerously overcrowded trains between Wales and London. One traveller on a Great Western Rail service from Cardiff Central to Paddington has shared a photo of her carriage with people crammed standing in the aisles without seats.
Jo Kiernan said the 16.21 to London Paddington on Bank Holiday Monday was already full when it arrived at Cardiff. Most passengers getting on at Cardiff had to stand all the way to Reading.
Posting on X she added that it was not the first time she had travelled on an overcrowded GWR service to Paddington. She said GWR should be “ashamed” at its failure to run a good service to passengers.
“You ought to be ashamed of yourselves GW. Train from Cardiff to London is five carriages instead of 10 and there are far too many people standing and crammed into the doorways. It is dangerous and the second time it has happened to me in four days.”
GWR replied on X that safety of passengers was a priority and it would not run an unsafe service.
“Our trains are designed to accommodate standing passengers,” GWR said.
But Jo pointed out that “given the price we pay for your tickets we deserve a better service than standing for two hours.”
Her post on X garnered a flurry of replies from similarly frustrated passengers who had had similar experiences on overcrowded services run but GWR and other rail operators.
Some people replied that they thought anyone made to stand should get 50% off their ticket. Others said there should be compensation for overcrowded trains. Some people complained that reservations made on the Cardiff to Paddington service are not always honoured either.
A GWR spokesperson said: “We’re sorry to customers travelling between Cardiff and London who experienced a busier train than usual.
“This service ran with five coaches instead of the planned ten because of a fault affecting coupling with the other carriages in Swansea – which meant we were unable to provide the full-length train in time.”
“We understand how frustrating this is and we’re sorry for the inconvenience caused. Customers who held a valid seat reservation but were unable to use it are entitled to compensation under our Seat Guarantee scheme, and we’d encourage anyone affected to contact our customer support team.”
GWR said it runs around 30 services each way, every day between Cardiff and London Paddington.
