A train in Wales has been pictured full of passengers packed "like sardines" in every carriage.
Paul James, 39, travelling on an 11.06am train on Friday, July 30, from Neath to Manchester Piccadilly, described his journey as "shocking".
All four carriages of the Transport for Wales (TfW) train were "rammed full", but passengers were still getting on at every stop according to Mr James.
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TfW explained that as more people chose to travel it was getting "increasingly difficult" on some services to maintain social distancing. It urged customers to visit the website to check which trains were busy in advance and to use alternative services where possible.
"I got on in Neath and it was packed. I couldn't sit, I was standing," Mr James recalled.
"[A staff member for TfW] in Pyle was still telling people to move down the carriages to ram more on, and nobody could get on any more. I had to open all the windows in my carriage because they were closed. Everyone was happy then because obviously it was hot on there," he added.
Mr James said the train was "still rammed" when he disembarked at Cardiff.
Pointing out the discrepancy for coronavirus restrictions across industries, he said: "People have abided by all the rules [elsewhere], and then they go to a train for work and they have to be faced with that. It's not just because of Covid. Some people don't like being so close to others - they feel anxious, myself included."
This isn't the first time customers have criticised TfW for its overcrowded carriages.
The train operator came under fire from passengers on social media for a lack of social distancing, masks and ventilation in "unbearably" hot carriages during the heatwave earlier in July.
This month it was also criticised for telling staff not to enforce social distancing on its trains. At the time it said that as passenger demand increased, social distancing "will not always be possible" during busy times.
A spokesperson for Transport for Wales said: “We’re seeing increasing demand for our services across the network, as society gradually unlocks from the coronavirus pandemic.
“All available carriages are in use and while social distancing remains important, it’s now increasingly difficult on some services, as more people choose to travel.
“Customers are encouraged to use our Capacity Checker tool to see which services are likely to be busy and use alternative services where possible.”
To use the Capacity Checker tool visit the Transport for Wales website.
Have you used Transport for Wales trains recently? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
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