The Welsh train service named third busiest in the UK – Wales Online
The Welsh train service has been ranked as the third busiest in the UK, according to a report by Wales Online. This service, running between Gloucester and Maesteg via Cardiff and Bridgend, was the only one on the list that did not belong to a London commuter service. The ranking was based on passenger counts carried out between September and December 2023 in England and Wales.
The top spot on the list was claimed by the 7:33 am train from Bedford to Three Bridges, followed by Chiltern Railways’ 7:46 am service from Prince’s Risborough to London Marylebone. The train from Gloucester to Maesteg saw a 62% overload of passengers compared to available seats, prompting Transport for Wales to consider timetable changes to alleviate congestion.
Statistics also revealed a decline in passenger numbers on afternoon departures from Cardiff in 2023, mainly due to reduced demand for long-distance services to West Wales. Despite a similar number of services between 2022 and 2023, the number of passengers decreased, especially on routes to Paddington.
The report listed the 2:57 pm train from Gloucester to Maesteg as the third busiest, with other routes like the 6:10 am service from Portsmouth Harbour to London Waterloo and the 5:46 pm train from London Euston to Crewe also featuring in the top 10 busiest trains in Wales and England.
Transport for Wales is working on spreading out demand across several services to improve passenger experience. Have you experienced overcrowded trains in Wales or travelled on the busy Cardiff to Bridgend route? Share your experiences in the comments.