Transport for Wales has apologised to customers and admitted that its level of service “fell below” what is expected after the “absolute shambles” of a slew of cancellations and delays over the busy bank holiday weekend on the line between Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury.

TfW said the issues, which saw passengers stranded and replacement buses in operation for several cancelled trains on the Cambrian Line over the three-day weekend, were “due to a number of operational factors”.

The company said it is continuing to try and improve the service after similar incidents over busy bank holiday weekends.

“I went for the 11.30am to Wolverhampton train at Aberystwyth only to find it was cancelled, so were other trains,” one passenger, Peter Webb, said.

“A double-decker bus was provided, stopping at all stations en route to Shrewsbury – you can imagine a double-decker going from Borth to Tre’r-ddôl down the narrow lanes, hitting tree branches.

“Only one passenger got on all the way to Shrewsbury.

“The only thing that was missing was Butler driving the bus and Inspector Blakey from the TV programme On The Buses.

“It was horrendous.

“Likewise, returning trains were cancelled from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and there were dozens waiting on the platform for the train leaving at about 7.35pm due to previous cancellations.

“My friend spoke to TfW on the telephone and they said they had no drivers.

“It was an absolute shambles.”

Several services to and from Aberystwyth were cancelled or suffered severe delays.

The service was back to normal on Tuesday.

A Transport for Wales Rail Services spokesperson said: “There were some service alterations and cancellations over the busy bank holiday weekend on the Cambrian Line due to a number of operational factors and we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused to our customers.

“While we did all we could to provide alternative road transport, we recognise that we fell below the level of service our customers rightly expect.

“We’re working hard behind the scenes internally and with Network Rail to improve the service in both the short and long term.”

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