RAIL SERVICES GO INTO PUBLIC OWNERSHIP
THE Wales and Borders rail franchise has now gone into public ownership after being nationalised by the Welsh Government.
Transport for Wales is now operating the Wales and Borders rail services.
Economy and Transport minister Ken Skates said the move would protect services, safeguard jobs, and deliver infrastructure improvements. The move, which was announced in October 2020, comes in the face of a significant reduction in passenger numbers due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Joint venture KeolisAmey had taken over the running of the Wales and Borders franchise in 2018 but Covid has slashed the numbers travelling by train.
Ken Skates said: “Our rail service is a critical asset and one we must protect. Since the pandemic began we’ve provided significant financial support to keep trains running. The need for greater public control is a reflection of the ongoing pressures of coronavirus and the challenges being faced across the rail industry as passenger demand remains low. We remain determined to deliver key commitments made at the start of the journey with Transport for Wales, including the creation of Metro systems and the delivery of brand new rolling stock. Bringing the rail franchise into public control will help secure this better future for passengers. It is a public transport asset, in public ownership, for the public good.”
A CAR was damaged after apparently hitting a wall in Gwynedd.
The accident on the A487 is believed to have happened in Caernarfon shortly before 6pm on Thursday.
The driver is not believed to have been injured in the smash in the Tithebarn Street and Constantine Road areas.
The collision happened on the A487 on a one-way street section at its junction with the A4085.
Neither the Welsh Ambulance Service nor North Wales Fire and Rescue Service needed to send a crew.
A local photographer took several pictures showing the car’s front offside corner mangled after the smash.
A recovery truck then arrived to take the car away.
The road was cleared by 8pm.