A shortage of conductors sees some Arriva Trains services to Shotton cancelled today

Some Arriva Train Wales services have been cancelled today due a shortage of train conductors.

A number services including two between Bidston and Wrexham, which stop at Shotton Station have been cancelled so far.

Over the past few weeks the train operating company has been battling with driver and conductor shortages which has impacted on commuters using services to Shotton.

Recent messages on the Arriva Trains Wales website have varied from ‘operations challenges’ to driver and conductor shortages and at one point an undisclosed ‘operational incident’ message was used when several Wrexham to Bidston services were cancelled.

Like all UK privatised train companies, Arriva Trains Wales don’t appear to employ enough train drivers and conductors to cover sickness, holidays and other staffing issues meaning some services have had to be cancelled.

Talking specifically about the recent driver shortages a spokesman for ASLEF, the train drivers union told Deeside.com

‘Delays caused by a shortage of drivers are down to the privatised train operating companies which do not recruit enough drivers to provide the service they promise, in their franchise applications, to provide. The train companies want to keep their costs down, and their fares up, to make as much profit as possible.

That’s why they cram in as many commuters as they can during the rush hour. Sadly, the train companies are not in the business of providing a public service but of making as much money as possible. That’s why they fail to recruit the drivers they need. And that’s why they cancel trains – because they do not employ enough men and women to drive their trains.’

Arriva Trains Wales website is currently showing two cancelled services which are due to run through Shotton today, Monday 22nd August they are:

As a result replacement bus services will be in operation for these two services.

Other Arriva Train Services cancelled today:

• 14:02 Wrexham General to Holyhead due 16:14
• 20:49 Wrexham General to Shrewsbury due 21:28

As has been the case the situation does change throughout the day and it’s worth keeping an eye on Arriva Trains Wales website if you are using the rail network today.