Opposition parties hit out at 4.9% hike in rail fares in Wales

Opposition parties in the Senedd have hit out at a planned 4.9 per cent hike in rail fares across Wales.

The Welsh Government confirmed on Wednesday that the increases will come into effect on 3 March 2024.

This is despite Transport for Wales receiving an additional £125m of funding in the 2024-25 Welsh Government draft budget compared to when it set fiscal plans in March last year

Lee Waters MS, Deputy Minister for Climate Change, said the “rise in ticket prices is part of the Welsh Government’s strategy to manage rising operational costs while ensuring continued investment in rail infrastructure and services.”

In his statement Mr Waters drew attention to work taking place on the rail network in South Wales.

He said: “To continue to be able to make investments, such as our new Ebbw Vale to Newport services, and to meet rising costs whilst minimising the impact on passengers, we are implementing a below inflation increase of 4.9% in rail fares from 3 March 2024. ‌​‌‌​​​‌‍‌​‌​‌‌‌​‍‌​​​‌​‌‌‍‌​​​‌‌​‌‍‌​​‌‌‌‌​‍‌​​‌‌‌​​‍‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​​‌‌​‌​‍‌​​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌​​‌‌​‌‍‌‌​​‌‌​​

“This is in line with the wider rail industry. ‌​‌‌​​​‌‍‌​‌​‌‌‌​‍‌​​​‌​‌‌‍‌​​​‌‌​‌‍‌​​‌‌‌‌​‍‌​​‌‌‌​​‍‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​​‌‌​‌​‍‌​​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌​​‌‌​‌‍‌‌​​‌‌​​

“Transport for Wales are committed to making it easier for passengers to travel.

“They are currently trialling brand new Pay As You Go rail fares in South Wales which offer cheaper, tap in – tap out journeys using a phone or bank card.”

Mr Waters’ statement failed to mention any improvements taking place on the North Wales line

The move to increase fares has prompted criticism from opposition parties in the Senedd who have questioned whether passengers are getting for value for money on Wales’ railway system.

Transport for Wales frequently comes under fire for delays, cancelled trains and overcapacity on carriages.

Delyth Jewell MS (Comisiwn y Senedd / Senedd Commission)

Plaid Cymru spokesperson for Transport, Delyth Jewell MS said the increase could harm passenger numbers.

Delyth Jewell MS said: “At a time when we should be encouraging more people to use public transport, I’m concerned that this hike could really harm passenger numbers.

“What’s even more confusing is that passengers are expected to pay up despite the Labour Government only recently pledging an extra £236million into Transport for Wales – a number, we were told, that was needed to plug gaps after inaccurate passenger projections. From poor records on customer satisfaction, punctuality, and cancellations – the public must get value for money.

“While Labour may justify this as an investment in rail services in the south, those in the north are missing out yet again.

“The truth of the matter is that we desperately need the £3.9bn denied to Wales from England’s HS2 to invest in public transport infrastructure across Wales and ensure parity between communities.

“Both Labour and the Conservatives must commit to right this wrong and give Wales what its owed.”

Natsha Asghar MS, Shadow Transport Minister (Comisiwn y Senedd / Senedd Commission)

The Welsh Conservatives said that “raising prices whilst running a consistently poor standard will push people away.”

Natsha Asghar MS, Shadow Transport Minister, said: “As passenger numbers have declined on trains, I cannot see how raising the fares will encourage commuters back.

“Transport for Wales is languishing in bottom place for UK customer satisfaction and passengers have complained that the quality of the service is deteriorating month by month.

“Raising prices whilst running a consistently poor standard will push people away.

“After sinking £125m to bail out TfW, it is high time that commuters in Wales see significant improvement to the service and a return on Labour’s investment of taxpayers money.”

The Welsh Liberal Democrats described the latest rise in train fares by the Transport for Wales as “farcical”.

Jane Dodds MS

Leader of the Welsh Lib Dems Jane Dodds MS said: “This latest hike in rail fares by Transport for Wales is simply farcical and will do nothing but drive people further away from using the train network.

“This is the same rail company who, last October, received a £125 million bailout to maintain operational costs.

“How many more times will they bail out Transport for Wales before admitting that something needs to be changed?

“How many more times do the Welsh public need to pick up the pieces before the Welsh Labour government admit their mistakes?

“How can they expect people to pay more for late trains? Our train network here in Wales is not up to standard, delayed trains and cancelled services have made the lives of Welsh commuters even more difficult.

“We need long-term solution-based investment into our rail network, not the same old quick fix.”