Welsh Government takes over passenger services

WALES & BORDERS passenger services were taken on by the Welsh Government on February 7. As was announced last October, the decision is aimed at providing longer-term financial stability and protect services, safeguard jobs and deliver infrastructure improvements during the continuing challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. The COVID-19 crisis has led to a significant reduction in passenger numbers, generally down to 5% of normal levels.

The Welsh Government announced £40m of shortterm support on March 31, 2020 to ensure passenger services could continue to run. On May 31 a £65m six-month Emergency Measures Agreement was introduced that saw the franchise’s financial risk taken on by the Welsh Government. Day-to-day running is now the responsibility of TfW subsidiary Transport for Wales Rail Ltd.

Wales & Borders services had been run by a joint venture of SNCF subsidiary Keolis and engineering company Amey under a 15-year contract awarded by the Welsh Government that began on October 14, 2018.

Management and modernisation of the infrastructure on the Core Valley Lines routes around Cardiff will continue to be delivered under the current contract with Amey Keolis Infrastructure Ltd. This is intended to provide stability for the effective delivery of the South Wales Metro project. Furthermore, a new Innovation Services partnership between Transport for Wales, Keolis and Amey will deliver commitments such as integrated ticketing, on-demand transport, design and delivery of projects including different modes of transport.

According to TfW, progress with the modernisation of the Valley Lines network and wider fleet is to continue as planned. Later this year the operator will be testing the first of the 77 CAF Civity Class 197 DMUs, which are under construction at the manufacturer’s Newport factory. The Class 769 bi-mode units converted from Class 319 EMUs entered service on the Rhymney – Cardiff – Penarth route in late 2020. The first three of five Class 230 diesel/battery hybrid sets converted by Vivarail from ex-London Underground D78 stock are under test ahead of introduction on the Bidston – Wrexham route.