Rail franchise’s new services ‘won’t be starting immediately’
THE new rail franchise taking charge of services in Wales and the Borders will come into operation next Sunday – but Economy and Transport Secretary Ken Skates says new services won’t be introduced immediately.
He said the near-£5bn investment in improvements will transform rail services over the 15-year contract period.
Arriva Trains Wales decided not to bid for the new franchise, which was won by KeolisAmey, a consortium which currently runs the Docklands Light Railway in London and the Greater Manchester Metrolink.
Some of the improvements will be immediate, including a new customer website and app, new branding appearing across the network and enhanced Welsh language service provision, while others will be introduced “as soon as possible”.
These include plans to spend £194m on station improvements, including the building of five new stations at Gabalfa, Crwys Road, Loudoun Square and The Flourish in Cardiff, and Bow Street in Ceredigion, as well as the deep cleaning of stations from this December.
Mr Skates said: “Our plans go beyond a traditional transport project – they have to become the spark for wider economic renewal. They have to help individuals, businesses and communities who need a reliable, integrated transport system to help them find a new job, support their business to expand, and bring new investment to their town. The Metro project is not only about dealing with today’s transport Chief Reporter problems, but how we provide opportunities for the future – and not just in transport terms, but the impact that the Metro infrastructure will have on economic possibilities for people throughout south Wales.”
Mr Skates said other major benefits of the new Wales and Borders rail contract include:
An additional 600 staff will be recruited to deliver the service in a range of roles and 450 new apprenticeships (30 every year) will also be created over the life of the contract.
£1.9bn will be invested in improving passengers’ travel experience, including an £800m investment in trains, boosting overall service capacity by 65%.
By 2023 95% of journeys will be on 148 new trains, half of which will be assembled in Wales.
The Central Metro will be operated by 100% electric traction, with the electricity sourced from 100% renewable sources, 50% of which will be sourced in Wales.
By the end of 2023, passengers will be able to take advantage of an additional 285 services each weekday across Wales – a 29% increase. This will include improvements to the Ebbw Vale and Wrexham–Bidston lines as well as the Cambrian and Heart of Wales lines.
From December 2022 there will be a 28% increase in Sunday mileage, creating a true seven-day-a-week service.
Smart ticketing will ensure that fares are more flexible and cheaper off-peak fares will be introduced including fare reductions in North Wales and at approximately 50% of stations in the Valleys.
Part of the new contract includes the delivery of the next phase of the £738m South Wales Metro project, and the first £119m of that was announced by First Minister Carwyn Jones at the end of last week.
Speaking at the Metro and Me conference for business leaders today, Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford brought delegates up to speed on developments. He said: “Our plans go beyond a traditional transport project. The Metro will deliver against a range of our policy objectives by creating a network that will serve communities, accessible to all and operating seven days a week.
“It will increase social mobility and Economy and Transport Secretary Ken Skates widen access, connecting people and communities to employment opportunities, and education, health and leisure facilities.”
Alistair Gordon, chief executive of Keolis UK – half of the KeolisAmey consortium – said: “We are excited about the transformation we’re going to deliver here in Wales, working alongside Amey once again and in partnership with Transport for Wales.
“For too long the railways in Wales have suffered from under investment and, while the changes we need to make will take time, we are creating a platform for future economic growth and prosperity that will benefit all of Wales now and for generations to come.
“In five years’ time, the railway will be unrecognisable from what it is today thanks to the vision of the Welsh Government. We can’t wait to get started.”
Andy Milner, Amey’s chief executive, said: “Building on our successful partnership with Keolis, which already sees us deliver two high performing services – the Greater Manchester Metrolink and the Docklands Light Railway – we are excited to be taking on the Wales and Borders contract.
“This is a great opportunity for us to use our joint capabilities to deliver a first-rate service for Wales and its communities. As well as creating new jobs and apprenticeship opportunities, we will be focused on upgrading the existing infrastructure and introducing new trains to significantly improve the passenger experience. We are looking forward to working with Transport for Wales in a partnership which will see the full replacement of all trains, and major upgrades. We are also looking forward to working with the very proud and dedicated men and women running the railway in Wales today, who will join us on this
exciting journey.”
Our plans go beyond a traditional transport project – they have to become the spark for wider economic renewal