Transport for Wales: New trains target delayed by Covid, bosses say

"Good progress is now being made on the supply, testing and introduction of our £800m fleet of brand-new trains," says TfW

Fewer than a third of all Transport for Wales (TfW) rail journeys are being operated by modern trains, despite a target of 95% set five years ago.

Just 29% of TfW services are operated by new trains, introduced since TfW took over rail responsibility in Wales.

The rail operator said the pandemic had caused significant delays and some of its targets had been revised.

The company, which is owned by the Welsh government, had aimed to reach its goal by 2023.

The figures were revealed in response to a written question tabled by Plaid Cymru's transport spokeswoman Delyth Jewell.

TfW said: "Some of our original targets set in 2018, including 95% of journeys being on new trains by 2023, have been revised because of the pandemic and other factors.

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"Good progress is now being made on the supply, testing and introduction of our £800m fleet of brand-new trains.

"We've also... increased rail services by 20% since taking over the Wales and borders franchise and invested £33m in our stations in just five years."

Saturday marks five years since TfW took over the all-Wales rail franchise from Arriva Trains Wales.

'Old trains, late trains'

Ms Jewell said the rail network in Wales remained "summarised by its old trains, late trains and huge levels of customer dissatisfaction".

Plaid Cymru wants to see rail services fully devolved to Wales.

At present, the Welsh government oversees the operation of railways in Wales, but infrastructure, planning and funding for Network Rail are the responsibility of Westminster.

Ms Jewell said: "We accept that there are vast funding issues for our railways but it's so frustrating that the Welsh government haven't done more to demand the full devolution of rail which, if achieved, would allow us to control these levers ourselves.

"With the billions we've been denied from the HS2 project, we could develop new services and upgrades, we could ensure the electrification of rail lines for the north and south of Wales and we could shore up our struggling bus network."

The Welsh government has been asked to comment.

It is currently considering legal action against the Conservative UK government over the HS2 high speed rail line as it claims it should have received money from Westminster to fund rail projects in Wales.

The UK government suggested cash could come to Wales as it shifts from HS2 to alternatives in England.