Passenger figures soar on Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth rail line
New figures have revealed rail passengers using stations in Montgomeryshire has gone up by 30 per cent in the last three years.
The Office of Rail and Road's research has given three years worth of data about peak hourly trains and other statistics between Aberystwyth and Shropshire.
According to the figures, the passenger numbers on the Cambrian Line have gone up by 23.5 per cent since service improvements have been made.
Newtown has seen the biggest increase in passenger numbers, with a rise from 130,000 to 185,000, with numbers in Caersws going from 49,000 to 69,000.
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Welshpool station has enjoyed a 30 per cent increase, with Machynlleth also having a significant increase in that time.
A spokesman for Shrewsbury Aberystwyth Rail Liaison Committee said: "The committee is aware of the increases and indeed was very instrumental in gaining the improved services that came in during May 2015," said Robert Robinson, spokesperson for the group.
Need
"The increases in numbers show that there is a real need for the full hourly train service, it is almost there, and for longer trains.
"The SARLC will continue to work with Welsh Government and Transport for Wales to gain the best for the Cambrian Lines."
Sixth form commuters going over the border has played a part in the increase, with around 40,000 season tickets sold between Caersws and Welshpool.
It is good news for the Transport for Wales rail service after a disaster start to taking over the franchise on the Cambrian Line.
A lack of trains, cancelled services and delayed trains all led to scores of angry commuters struggling to get over the border into Shropshire and the West Midlands as they usually do.
The idea of re-opening the Gobowen to Welshpool rail route is still on the cards with transport minister Ken Skates stating last year that is being looked into.
