TRANSPORT FOR Wales has announced a five-step improvement plan for rail services on the Wrexham to Bidston Borderlands Line, following reliability issues with the recently introduced Class 230 bi-mode trains on the route.
The new trains, which went into operation earlier this year, have suffered from poor levels of availability, causing a number of services to be substituted by buses.
TfW bought five three-coach Class 230s from now-defunct train builder Vivarail, with the trains converted from redundant former London Underground D-78 Stock. Numbered 230006-230010, they were previously maintained at Chester depot, but maintenance and stabling has now been transferred to Birkenhead, which is closer to the trains’ operating route.
Reliability has been a problem, while the trains have also struggled to maintain the timetable. TfW is working with Network Rail on timetabling for the route, and the operator is also seeking to improve driving styles and unit familiarity among its crews to give the best level of performance and spot potential problems earlier.
TfW’s five-point improvement plan encompasses:
The appointment of a dedicated route officer to look at the issues affecting the line and develop a long-term focus on performance and reliability.
A commitment to delivering maximum reliability of the Class 230 train fleet and optimising the current provision.
