What consideration has the Minister given to freezing rail fares in order to increase passenger numbers, given that passenger numbers are falling?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Climate Change | Answered on 15/02/2024
Passenger numbers are not falling, they rose 9% last year. Welsh Ministers decided to intervene and cap rail fare rises at 4.9% to balances the interests of passengers during the cost of living crisis, while ensuring we can fund new and improved rail services such as those recently launched between Ebbw Vale and Newport. This rise is in line with the decision taken by the UK Government on rail fares in England.