Madam,

My family and I often holiday in a friend’s ancient rental cottage by the sea at Llwyngwril.

We like to travel to the village by train from our home in London because the Cambrian coast route is one of the great train journeys of Britain. Sometimes we go by car.

Once in Gwynedd, we always set out to enjoy the local culture, the landscape, the beaches and the activities, and we get about by foot and on public transport.

During our fortnight travelling around Gwynedd and Powys, the buses were always on time, at whatever stop we used.

The trains were never on time, on several occasions by more than 12 minutes late.

But then, once during our visit, a train arrived early but then it also left early.

Trains were never more than two carriages long, which in holiday periods means they can be crowded as daytripping families make their way towards the sandy beaches.

Several times the crowding meant that the conductor was unable to collect our fare.

My observations reflect only my experience, but they prompt me to wonder about the train operator, Arriva.

This subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn soaks up UK government subsidies and seems more interested in sending its profits to its owners, the taxpayers of Germany, than in giving a good service to north Wales.

Yours etc,

David Altheer, Dalston, London.

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