Rail tickets move pulls in £11,000 for council
New hourly train services have seen a sharp rise in passengers at a Welshpool's railway station and netted the town council £11,000.
New services were introduced on the Cambrian Line between Mid Wales and Shrewsbury.
When they were introduced, Welshpool Town Council began selling tickets from its tourist information centre in the town centre, and the move has earned a profit.
A presentation to the council's events and tourism committee has revealed that more than £120,000 worth of railway tickets were sold through the town’s centre
With a nine per cent commission,that amounts to almost £11,000 being earned through the service and led to it having strong accounts.
It comes as the town council explores further ways to increase its income streams, with its budget for the coming 12 months set at £1.2 million.
In recent months it has all been good news for the town council and the railway station as discussions continue between the authority and Network Rail regarding plans for a new station and improved services.
A spokesman said: "A meeting with Network Rail has been held and plans are being prepared in more detail for the new station proposal.
“There are also some more rail service improvements being taken forward.”
It is understood that the new facilities would include the introduction of a room above the platform which will house a ticket machine, and a seating area for people to stay warm and dry while they wait for their trains.
It will come two years after the town council and Welsh Government worked to install a new 25 bay car park at the station.
Prior to the meetings with Network Rail, town clerk Robert Robinson said: "For this line we've probably got the least amount of facilities, so we are hoping these talks go well and things progress.
"It will be above the platform so when people go across the bridge, they will go straight into it and get their tickets.
"We will need to put a lift in as well for disabled and wheelchair access.
"Some people say no one comes to Welshpool, but they do and the increase in footfall helps the town.
"More people are coming into the town as a result of more people using the station."
