Passengers pay top price

RAIL passengers are having to pay the highest possible fares to travel on Transport for Wales trains after the Welsh Government-owned operator decided not to offer cheaper off-peak tickets on many routes.

Opposition parties were strongly critical of the change in policy, which appears to fly in the face of the administration’s aim to get people out of cars and on to public transport.

For many years, off-peak fares have been substantially lower than the “anytime” tickets that enable passengers to board trains during the morning rush hour, when fares have traditionally been higher.

But off-peak fares are no longer an option on routes like the Valleys lines or on the line that goes from South Wales to Manchester.

A single ticket from Cardiff Central to Manchester Piccadilly costs £81 at any time of the day, while for anyone travelling the entire length of the route from Milford Haven to Manchester a single ticket sells for £96.60.

While it is notionally possible to buy cheaper “Advance” tickets, their availability is restricted and they are not as readily available as they were before the pandemic.

In February this year the Welsh Government nationalised the Wales and Borders rail franchise, continuing to market its services as run by Transport for Wales.

In contrast, off-peak fares remain on the London to South Wales main line, which is run by the privatelyowned Great Western Railway, with single fares between Cardiff Central and Paddington costing £49.90.