- September 10, 2019
- Posted by: Mick Antoniw AM
- Category: Featured, Latest News
Pontypridd Assembly Member Mick Antoniw is calling on Transport for Wales to revisit their proposal for new Metro trains not to have toilet facilities on board.
Transport for Wales’ proposal is for new Metro vehicles not to have toilet facilities on trains, but to provide more toilet facilities at refurbished stations as part of a £194 million upgrade of Valley Lines stations.
In a letter to Transport for Wales CEO James Price, Mick Antoniw said:
“Ultimately the success of the Metro project will be in the detail. An important – I would say critical – detail for many of my constituents is the ability to easily access toilet facilities. The Metro must be an inclusive system and there is a real danger that a growing number of people could effectively be excluded from enjoying the benefits of the Metro system if toilet facilities on trains are not provided.”
Mick Antoniw added:
“Whilst Transport for Wales’ proposal is for passengers to ‘never be more than twenty minutes away from a toilet’ it is not difficult to foresee a whole range of circumstances, such as train delays where the wait to access a toilet is much longer.”
“I am also concerned that this proposal will disproportionately impact on those who are most vulnerable, such as the disabled, older people and mothers with young children. Wales has an aging population, so this is a problem that will only get worse over time.”
“I am hopeful that Transport for Wales will rethink this proposal and I will also be raising the issue with the appropriate Minister.”
Mick Antoniw AM is for a Llantrisant to Cardiff Metro line. Find out more.