A CRUCIAL service for Radnorshire commuters is operating again after being closed for the last three months.

The ticket office at Landrindod Wells Railway Station re-opened last Friday, June 2, having been shut since February due to staffing issues.

It will come as a relief to countless Powys rail users, after what has been a turbulent time for rail chiefs following the retirement of popular long-term ticket office manager Kelsham Hanna in December 2021 – he had run the ticket office for the best part of two decades.

The announcement of the office reopening appeared on the Landrindod Solutions Facebook page last Friday, prompting an outburst of support and comments, with the post liked by more than 300 people.

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“Fab. Just been there. Great service,” said Lorraine Cadwallader-Jones, with Landrindod county councillor Josie Ewing adding: “Wonderful news. Always a positive experience, great deals and travel information.”

Rosemary Knights said: “At last some good news. It was a nightmare trying to buy tickets online and on the phone for a rather complicated journey I took recently.”

Erica Dean said: “Great news! It’s a much-needed service for us in Llandrindod”, while Robert Bowcock added: “Called in yesterday; wonderful, friendly advice, great it's back.”

The spa town ticket office, serving the Heart of Wales Line between Swansea and Shrewsbury and run by Transport for Wales (TfW), was operated by a small business run by Mr Hanna for 20 or so years.

It has offered a crucial service for many years but, following Mr Hanna’s retirement, TfW announced it was to shut its doors for good.

After a brief closure, however, a replacement staff member was recruited and the office reopened in February 2022. That staff member left for a different job at the end of this February, meaning the ticket office was then forced to close again.

TfW recruited a person who was due to reopen the ticket office at the start of April but they also left during their training period, so they were forced to go back through the recruitment and training process again.

A spokesperson for Transport for Wales said: “We’re delighted to confirm the ticket office at Llandrindod Wells has now reopened following a period of closure while we recruited a new member of staff.

“The ticket office is one of a number of ways customers can now buy tickets; people can also use our award-winning TfW app, the TfW website and we allow ticket purchase on the train on the Heart of Wales line.

“Group tickets of 10 or more passengers can be purchased from our business travel team.”