No trains running on the Wrexham to Bidston line today – or is there?

UPDATE: Sister site Deeside.com has an update this afternoon entitled “Confusion reigns as we are now told by TfW trains (and buses) are running on the Wrexham to Bidston line” read more there.

@tfwrail what is the situation on Wrexham – Bidston? Told earlier no trains today – however appears there could be the 2 hourly service with bus replacements? Any clarity?

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) November 27, 2018

Hi there – we have put additional trains services today and buses too. Times can be viewed here https://t.co/ePClloLiFm ^Jay

— Trafnidiaeth Cymru Trenau Transport for Wales Rail (@tfwrail) November 27, 2018

@tfwrail any word on the wrexham – bidston replacement bus? We’re stood in shotton in the rain and it’s overdue

— laura 🔮🤟🏻 (@deadcoolname) November 27, 2018

No, the train turned up but didnt wait long enough for anyone to get up from the carpark where we were waiting for the bus that didn’t show so we’re all still stuck here….

— laura 🔮🤟🏻 (@deadcoolname) November 27, 2018

Original information below…

Transport for Wales (TfW) has confirmed there are no trains running on the Wrexham to Bidston line today, despite assuring us on Friday there would be ‘trains, not buses’.

Generally in Wales services have been pulled due to ongoing disruption and timetable changes caused by a high number of damaged trains needing repair, and we have enquired why this has happened today locally.

A bus replacement service is in operation.

Despite alerts being sent via email warning of no direct trains between Wrexham and Bidston today the TfW Journey Check website says there is NO PROBLEMS on the line – though a link to an amended timetable for this week points to a bus replacement service for some scheduled trains.

Many services have been amended and priority given to the areas of greatest need the rail operator has said.

All train services between Wrexham to Bidston line were pulled on Saturday due to what TfW said was a need for extra ‘capacity’ in Cardiff because of the Wales v South Africa rugby international.

Last week just one train operated on the Wrexham to Bidston line meaning services were running every two hours, with the replacement bus service filling the gaps left in the timetable, this continued on Monday.

By contrast passengers commuting along the Rhymney line from Caerphilly and Cardiff have enjoyed a disruption free ‘Good Service’ with trains pulling up to the platform every 15 minutes or so.

It’s a significant comparison, both the Rhymney and Wrexham – Bidston lines are serviced by the same Class 150 diesel multi unit trains.

As of 8.40am today there has been “Good Service” on all but one of the local Cardiff and Valleys lines.

Over the weekend we asked the public response service about possible changes after the firm message on Friday:

Hi, it will be just buses. You can find the timetables here: https://t.co/ryn3bUyjgn ^Jo

— Trafnidiaeth Cymru Trenau Transport for Wales Rail (@tfwrail) November 25, 2018

On Monday morning it appeared a mix of buses and trains were in use, so asked again direct and were told a check with the control centre had taken place, “…and it is a train service every two hours on the Wrexham Bidston line all day.”

Last night there were ongoing issues on the route:

Amendment… no @tfwrail driver, so at 18:08 we were all turfed off the train @wrexham general after calling at central and we are now on a bus!

— Mair the Collie (@MairCollie) November 26, 2018

It is not all bad news, some free sweets are being given out:

@tfwrail free sweets are great. But as my #journeybegins a parking space at @wrexham train station this morning would be better.

— Gareth Hughes (@Mynytho) November 27, 2018

As noted last week we have had a range of information regarding the issues with trains in north east Wales and attempted to get comment, and fact check, elements of it to TfW including:

– We noted the ‘good service’ on all Valley and Cardiff lines – with the Caerphilly to Cardiff service running every 15 mins using the same Class 150 diesel multiple-unit trains as used on the Wrexham to Bidston line which has been reduced to just one train and a 2 hourly service.

– We noted units are regularly taken from the Wrexham/Bidston line and the service reduced when there are key events happening in Cardiff, with it appearing the South Wales lines are benefiting at the expense of of TfW customers in Wrexham and Flintshire.

– We enquired if the replacement bus service not being wheelchair friendly, and taking 2 hours, is acceptable.

– We asked when a second train will be reinstated on the Wrexham to Bidston line.

– We noted the main Class150 maintenance site in Cardiff, under Arriva, a second site in Crewe was online – and asked if the site in use now.

We have had no response.

Last Tuesday we wrote “Transport for Wales apologises to South Walians – train ‘fiasco’ affecting local services too” where TfW ran full page paper adverts to say sorry in the Cardiff based national newspaper of Wales. The article also contains a first hand account from one local reader of this website who works for the emergency services in north east wales and their experience of the Wrexham – Bidston line this week.