Defending trains

IN RESPONSE to Jonathan T Clark’s thinly-veiled electioneering jibe at the railway franchise holders, it is worth pointing out the neither Arriva Trains Wales (ATW) or First Great Western (FGW) elected to stage an international rugby match on a Friday night. 
That was the Welsh Rugby Union’s decision to which, now, ATW and FGW must react.
The problem here is that there is only so many carriages in circulation at any given time. 
The notion of ‘spare capacity’ doesn’t exist.
It is too expensive to carry surplus stock and would cost us even more in fares, which many say are high enough already. 
The evening trains are beefed-up, where possible, by re-jigging the daytime services so that some of the busy commuter services are shortened to provide capacity on trains going to and from Cardiff. 
Equally difficult to deal with is the actual layout at Cardiff Central. 
It is an antiquated operating system that doesn’t allow for a 21st century transport network. 
The front of the station is under a preservation order and the back has virtually nowhere to go. 
Neither Welsh government or Cardiff City Council are willing to stump up any money to improve matters. 
It’s much easier to say that the franchise holders are at fault. 
The letter implies that Mr Clark has never actually travelled on one of these trains himself. 
Maybe, if he seeks election, he would like to offer a few answers rather than point out perceived deficiencies. 
Please note that I neither work for, nor represent,  ATW, FGW or Network Rail.