Penally train station completes the full set for Arriva

Every train station on Arriva Trains Wales’ network has now been fitted with Customer Information Screens (CIS).

Penally station in Pembrokeshire became the final station to be equipped with the screens which provide information on rail services to customers when they were installed earlier this month.

Lynne Milligan, Customer Services Director at Arriva Trains Wales, said:

“The CIS play an important part in informing our customers of any changes to their planned journey. We are therefore delighted that under the NSIP programme, a further 164 stations received CIS installations.

“We have faced a number of challenges along the way but through working closely with Pembrokeshire National Park and Pembrokeshire Council we were able to install power to the site so the project could be completed.

“Ensuring every station is equipped with Customer Information Screens shows our continued commitment to better our customer service offering.”

The screens were installed under the National Stations Improvement Programme (NSIP). Started in 2008, when only 80 stations were equipped with the screens, the programme’s objective was for all Arriva Trains Wales’ stations to be equipped with Customer Information Screens equipment using NSIP and third party funding.

The programme was delivered over a six year rolling plan and involved ten separate phases with a total investment cost of £6.5m.

A Spokesperson for Network Rail Wales, said:

“The railway in Wales is carrying almost 50 per cent more passengers than it was 10 years ago and that number is predicted to grow significantly in the years ahead.

“We are carrying out a number of improvements across Wales as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan to cater for this rising passenger demand.

“The completion of the Customer Information Screens project means passengers across the width and breadth of Wales – from Penrhyndeudraeth to Pembroke – can now access journey information at their local station, making services even better for people who rely on the railway.”

Economy, Science and Transport Minister, Edwina Hart, added:

“Improving communication channels to ensure railway passengers are kept informed is crucial, which is why I welcome the completion of this important programme.

“These screens are another example of how the Welsh Government is investing in Wales’ public transport network, including station facilities, to deliver improved services which really benefit passengers.”