A NEW information screen at Penally railway station is the final piece in a £6.5m communications improvement jigsaw for Arriva Trains Wales.

Every station on the company’s network has now been fitted with the Customer Information Screens (CIS), which provide notifications of services to travellers.

When the programme began in 2008, only 80 stations were equipped with the screens.

The long-term aim was for all Arriva Trains Wales stations to have the screens, using funding from both the National Stations Improvement Programme (NSIP) and third parties.

Said Arriva Trains Wales customer services director, Lynne Millgan: “The CIS play an important part in information our customers of any changes to their planned journey.

“We are therefore delighted that, under the NSIP, a further 164 stations received CIS installations.”

She revealed that the company had “faced a number of challenges” along the way to installing the Penally screen.

“But through working closely with the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and Pembrokeshire County Council, we were able to install power to the site so the project could be completed,” she added.

“The target - ensuring every station was equipped with Customer Information Screens - shows our continued commitment to better our customer service offering.”

The railway in Wales is carrying almost 50 per cent more passengers than it was 10 years ago, and improvements are being made across Wales to cater for this rising demand

A spokesperson for Network Rail Wales said: “The completion of the CIS project means more passengers across the width and breadth of Wales - from Penrhyndeudraeth to Pembroke - can now access journey information at their local station."

Economy, Science and Transport minister Edwina Hart has welcomed the completion of the programme.

She said: “Improving communication channels to ensure railway passengers are kept informed is crucial.

“These screens are another example of how the Welsh Government is investing in Wales’ public transport network, including station facilities, to deliver improved services which really benefit passengers.”