Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru

The table below shows the number of train services operated by Transport for Wales from October 2018, when Transport for Wales began operating services, to March 2022 noting that the data for March is not complete.

The table demonstrates the increase in services that were operated in the first year of the new rail services contract managed by TfW. When the Covid pandemic struck in March 2020, and restrictions were imposed to reduce the spread of the virus, we took the active decision to reduce the number of services that were being run but also to maintain a core level of service to enable key workers to be able to travel. We also provided free travel in this period to NHS staff on TfW services. As the Covid restrictions were eased through the summer of 2020 we instructed TfW to increase the number of services, especially on busy tourist routes. As Covid restrictions were tightened again during the winter months we again asked TfW to reduce the provision.

The pattern was similar in 2021, with the reduced timetable imposed in December 2021 now being unwound, with more services being returned across Wales and the Borders by TfW each week. TfW plan to restore the service level to similar to that prior to the Covid pandemic later this year with further increases in services in December and through 2023.