Welsh Government to operate Welsh rail services

THE majority of rail services in

Wales are back in public ownership after the Welsh Government took over operation of Transport for Wales on February 7.

Since October 2018, TfW trains have been in the hands of KeolisAmey, which had replaced Arriva Trains Wales in operating the Wales and Borders franchise

However, on October 22 2020 the Welsh Government announced that services would return to public ownership, saying the decision was due to the pandemic ( RAIL 917).

And in a follow-up statement on February 8, it said taking over the Wales and Borders franchise would protect services, safeguard jobs, and deliver infrastructure improvements in light of the ongoing pandemic.

A Welsh Government spokesman told RAIL that it was not possible to say how long the franchise would remain in public control, as that depends on how long the economy takes to recover from the pandemic as well as the commercial viability of the franchise.

“Primary rail legislation is non-devolved and therefore the long-term future operating model of train operating companies across the UK will also depend on what the UK Government puts forward in any future White Paper,” he added.

During the first lockdown, TfW passenger numbers were down 95% compared with pre-COVID numbers. Over the summer this climbed to 30%, but once Wales entered a winter lockdown on December 20, numbers fell back to 10%-12% of pre-COVID levels.

Transport for Wales Ltd is the name of the new subsidiary that will manage the day-to-day operation of TfW. Like LNER and Northern, it is an Operator of Last Resort.

Infrastructure management and transformation of the Core Valley Lines will be delivered under the current contract with Amey Keolis Infrastructure Ltd, to ensure stability.

A new partnership with Keolis and Amey, led by TfW, will be known as Transport for Wales Innovation Services. This will deliver commitments including integrated transport, design and delivery of new services, integrated ticketing, and managing the ongoing integration of light and heavy rail.

“Our rail service is a critical asset and one we must protect,” said Ken Skates, Welsh Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales.

“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,”

Skates said the Welsh Government remains intent on delivering key commitments announced when the KeolisAmey deal began in October 2018, including creating Metro systems and introducing brand new trains.

“Bringing the rail franchise into public control will help secure this better future for passengers. It is a public transport asset, in public