The cost of travelling on Transport for Wales services will stay at current prices for the next 12 months, starting from 1 March.
First Minister Eluned Morgan announced the fare freeze to mark St David’s Day, describing it as one of the most generous offers on rail fares since devolution began. The move covers all TfW tickets, including advance singles, returns and the tap in, tap out pay-as-you-go system.
TfW became the first train operator outside London and the southeast of England to introduce tap in, tap out ticketing, which has already cut costs on more than three million journeys across south-east Wales over the past year. The system is set to be rolled out to north Wales in the near future.
The Welsh Government says it has invested £1.1 billion improving the Core Valleys Lines and developing the South Wales Metro, alongside £800 million in new trains capable of carrying 80% more passengers.
Eluned Morgan said: “I am delighted that all rail fares on TfW are going to stay at their current price for the next year. This gives certainty to passengers at a time when many are struggling with the cost of living.
“More people are choosing to travel by train in Wales, services are growing faster and they are more reliable.
“Freezing the cost of fares is our latest step in making travelling by train more attractive and cheaper.
“The new way to pay has already significantly reduced the cost of more than 3 million train journeys across southeast Wales in the past year, and with the rollout across north Wales just around the corner more people are set to benefit from cheaper fares.”
Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, added: “This is fantastic news for passengers. Alongside new trains, better services and a generational investment in Welsh rail, this fare freeze complements our action to deliver more affordable bus fares and the young person’s fare cap.”
