Arriva Trains Wales > Reviews

Advantages: Gets you from A to B...eventually. Friendly staff
Disadvantages: Slow, overcrowding, punctuality, horrible toilets

...had the 'pleasure' to travel Arriva Wales frequently. My boyfriend is studying at Aberystwyth University so I find myself changing at Birmingham for an Aber train. About Arriva: They have 116 trains covering a network of over 1009 miles, with 1860 employees. Apparently they run 788 services a day during the week but there are no figures for how many of these services actually run, many are cancelled every day! According to their website, the route ... Read review

Advantages: Friendly staff, Good value for money and reliable trains.
Disadvantages: There need to be more staff at all stations for longer hours.

HOW EASY IS IT TO BUY A TICKET? Well, it really depends where you are when you want to buy a ticket. For instance, I travel regularly between Aberdare in South Wales and Cardiff Central. If I needed to buy a ticket from Aberdare, then i would really have no chance. Theres no ticket machine, yes, there is a ticket window, but thats never ever open, maybe perhaps for only a few hours a day during the peak for the commuters. Your only other chance ... Read review

Advantages: You eventually get to your destination.
Disadvantages: Over crowding, often late, difficult staff.

...a VERY bad experience with Arriva trains Wales, so I am sorry if this review sounds a little "ranting". I will try and deliver a fair and balanced review of their services. Firstly a little information about Arriva trains Wales. Arriva trains Wales took control of the franchise previously operated by Wales & Borders Trains on 7 December 2003. They have a fleet of aprox. 116 trains. Their route covers over 2,600 miles and they employ 1,860 members ... Read review

Advantages: It eventually get's you to where you want to be
Disadvantages: Its like a cattle truck

As a regular user of Arriva Trains Wales in particular their route from Manchester Oxford Road to Llandudno which I have the "pleasure" of using on a daily basis, unfortunately at peak times throughout the working week. I can honestly say that if you like being herded into a cattle truck then please feel free to use the service. On a regular, and by regular I mean daily basis I have the dubious pleasure of catching the Arriva Trains Wales service ... Read review