Welsh Rail Fares Jump 4.6% as Transport Secretary Defends Rise

Transport for Wales has announced regulated rail fares will increase by an average of 4.6% from March 2nd, following last year’s 4.9% rise. 💷

Transport Secretary Ken Skates explained the decision: “Each year we have to make decisions on changes to regulated rail fares in Wales, balancing the need to keep cost increases as low as possible for passengers whilst also ensuring that Transport for Wales (TfW) are able to collect enough revenue to meet their rising costs and reduce subsidy.”

The changes will see varying increases across different ticket types:

• Anytime day single fares: 3% increase
• Seven-day season tickets: 3.5% increase
• Anytime day returns and off-peak returns: 6% increase

Skates noted that while fare increases are “unwelcome,” most passengers now use unregulated fares. He expressed hope that public sector operation would eventually eliminate the need for regulated fares.

Conservative Shadow Transport Secretary Peter Fox called for better services, stating: “Passengers across the core valley lines have faced severe disruption and the works are still ongoing. It’s no wonder passengers will question these increases whilst patiently awaiting the works being finished.”