RAIL operator Arriva has apologised to passengers on the Airedale line after a series of cancellations left commuters fuming.

The company said the removal of some trains for maintenance work had led to a shortage of stock to operate services.

Keighley commuter John Hudson, who travels to and from Leeds daily, said the situation seemed to have deteriorated since Arriva Rail North took over the franchise.

"Trains are getting cancelled or are late – it's a shambles," said Mr Hudson, 58, a concierge.

"There used to be the occasional problem, but nothing on the scale of what's happening now.

"One day last week I managed to catch the 17.26 from Leeds, but both the 17.40 and 17.56 were cancelled and this, of course, means when you do get on a train, you're packed in like sardines.

"The operator has tweeted blaming a lack of carriages, yet I've seen empty trains rolling in one after another!"

Aire Valley Rail Users Group chairman, Tim Calow, says he is aware of problems with certain services.

"There has been an issue with availability of electric units for some months," he added.

"Generally, trains have been running quite well, but there is an 07.30 from Skipton and a 17.14 back from Leeds and these get cancelled when units aren't available, which is concerning.

"This has a knock-on effect in terms of overcrowding on other services."

Arriva concedes there have been problems but says it is investing in its stock.

A spokesman told the Keighley News: "Since April 1, and the start of the new Northern franchise, we have kickstarted the investment into refurbishing our entire fleet of trains.

"As some of the trains used on the Airedale line are currently undergoing a full maintenance programme – put simply, a train MOT – we have experienced issues with availability.

"This, coupled with trains being removed from service for unplanned maintenance due to issues such as vandalism or failures, has resulted in some service cancellations.

"This is not connected to any change in policy and we would like to apologise to our customers for any disruption this may have caused.

"Northern customers can now use Delay Repay to claim compensation if a train is late or cancelled and you arrive at your destination station more than 30 minutes later than scheduled."

The spokesman added the Airedale line is one of the company's best-performing routes in Yorkshire, with 89 per cent of services recorded as being on time.

lWhat do you think? We welcome letters on this or any other subject. E-mail richard.parker@nqyne.co.uk or write to the Content Editor, Keighley News, 80-86 North Street, Keighley BD21 3AG. Please include your full name, address and daytime telephone number.