Rugby World Cup transport issues to be examined by National Assembly committee

Published 21/10/2015   |   Last Updated 21/10/2015

Problems around public transport during the Rugby World Cup games in Cardiff will be examined by a National Assembly committee.

Passengers reported significant delays caused by overcrowding while travelling to and from the Welsh capital. Many took to social media channels to express their frustration as the rail network in particular struggled to cope with demand.

The Enterprise and Business Committee will be asking, among others, Great Western Railway (formerly First Great Western), Arriva Trains Wales, Network Rail, the City of Cardiff Council, alongside the organisers of the Rugby World Cup tournament: What impact did the transport issues have, and what lessons have been learned?

Estimates put the economic value of Cardiff's involvement in the World Cup as a host city at £316 million pounds.

"The Rugby World Cup was a wonderful opportunity to welcome the world to Cardiff and Wales," said William Graham AM, Chair of the Enterprise and Business Committee.

"However, I fear the experience of many will be tempered by problems with public transport, which could have a knock-on effect of putting people off visiting in the future.

"Wales has of course hosted numerous large-scale sporting and cultural events in the past few years, and will do again with occasions such as the World Half Marathon next year and football's Champions League Final in 2017.

"To realise the economic benefits of these events it is imperative that people are able to travel to, from and around the country as easily as possible.

"Therefore the Committee will, in particular, be looking to see what lessons have been learned."

The meeting will take place on Thursday, 5 November.

Images: Jeremy Segrott (Flickr)