Transport for Wales rail fares to rise by 4.9%
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The Welsh government controls Transport for Wales rail services
Rail fares in Wales will rise by 4.9% from 3 March, the Welsh government has announced.
It said the increase is in line with the wider rail industry.
Transport minister Lee Waters said the rise was needed so Transport For Wales (TfW) can meet higher costs and continue to make investments.
Opposition parties said the rises could put off passengers from returning to the train network.
A similar announcement has been made by the Department for Transport for rail fares in England.
The Welsh government controls rail services run by TfW, which covers most but not all railway services.
Mr Waters said: "To continue to be able to make investments such as our new Ebbw Vale to Newport services, and to meet rising costs whilst minimising the impact on passengers, we are implementing a below inflation increase of 4.9% in rail fares from 3 March 2024.
"This is in line with the wider rail industry."
He said a new pay-as-you-go service, allowing passengers to tap in and out of railway stations with a phone or a bank card, will be rolled out to the Ebbw Vale line in the spring.
A wider rollout is planned for the South Wales Metro area, and it is already in place between Cardiff and Newport and Pontyclun.
Speaking outside Cardiff Central Station, Katrin, 56, from Cardiff, said: "It's a bit tough, if anything I think it should be a bit cheaper to encourage people to take the train.
"I'm literally only going two stations from here to home and it's too expensive really."
Tim Baker, 30, also from Cardiff, added: "Whenever [the service] is on time it's alright, but it's cancelled most of the time.
"[The increase] is quite a bit, to be honest."
Katrin from Cardiff thinks should decrease to lure more passengers
Plaid Cymru's Delyth Jewell said: "At a time when we should be encouraging more people to use public transport, I'm concerned that this hike could really harm passenger numbers."
Welsh Conservative Natasha Asghar added: "As passenger numbers have declined on trains, I cannot see how raising the fares will encourage commuters back."
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- Published21 October 2023
