Charter would guarantee improved rail network

Helen Morgan has thrown her support behind a new Rail Passengers’ Charter which promises improvements to the rail network.

Helen said rail users in the north of the county were faced with inadequate and unreliable services despite rising fare prices.

She has added her name to a Bill laid before Parliament by her party to introduce the Charter, which would enshrine in law improvements to customer experience and value for money for passengers.

Improving transport links across North Shropshire is a key priority for Helen, who has campaigned for step-free access at Whitchurch, reopening the Oswestry to Gobowen railway line and expanding the local bus network.

The Charter would guarantee train travellers reliable Wi-Fi, charging points, clean and accessible toilets, and storage for bicycles and luggage. It also mandates adequate seating for journeys over 30 minutes and refreshments for those over two hours.

Helen said: “Rail users in North Shropshire have been paying more for less for far too long. It is unacceptable that while fares continue to climb, the quality of our trains remains stuck in the past.

“Whether it’s the struggle to find a seat, the lack of working facilities, or the bureaucratic nightmare of claiming a refund, Britain’s broken railways are failing our community. People across North Shropshire are working hard and paying high prices; they deserve a service that actually reflects that investment.”

The Bill would commit Great British Railways (GBR) to ensure passengers receive automatic compensation for delays. This would remove the need for rail users to fill out lengthy forms to receive their entitlement.

Helen recently described a Government decision not to fund accessibility improvements at Whitchurch railway station as a “disgrace” and said the new Charter would also ensure stations were accessible for those with mobility needs.

She added: “While both the Conservatives and Labour have let rail passengers across North Shropshire down, the Liberal Democrats are taking action. Our Rail Passengers’ Charter will ensure our local rail network is a source of pride rather than stress.”