As reported earlier today (March 12), Transport for Wales (TfW) has recorded the first drop in rail journeys in 24 years.
It coincides with the first full year that the Welsh Government-owned TfW has been operating rail services.
The Office of Road and Rail (ORR) stated that were around 33.5 million trips on TfW compared with 33.6 million in 2018, a drop of 0.29 percent.
However, the shocking drop of 100,000 journeys over the year were attributed to line closures due to flooding and fewer international rugby games in Cardiff.
Journeys across the Wales and Borders franchise dropped by 7.7 percent for the last quarter of 2019 when compared with the same period the year before.
Shadow Transport Minister, Russell George AM/AC, said:
“Ideally, journeys by rail should be increasing, not reducing, given the emphasis put on decarbonising how we commute to work or to study in Wales.
“However, there has been dissatisfaction reported about the services provided – overcrowded or late trains, for example – and I shall be monitoring this situation to see if a trend develops.
“Guarantees made to the rail users in Wales of better rolling stock, and more punctual services, must be honoured.”