Written question WQ83655
- Asked by
- Andrew RT DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Climate Change
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 12 days
Question
Will the Minister provide a breakdown of funding per annum provided for new rolling stock for Welsh railways?
Answer
Answered by Deputy Minister for Climate Change
We are committed to delivering an improved passenger experience on our rail services.
Transport for Wales has committed £800m to procure entire new fleets of trains for our South Wales Metro and for services across Wales and the Borders. The first of these new trains are currently being tested and will come into service next year.
Transport for Wales has invested some £81m to secure a number of additional rail vehicles since taking on the rail services contract in October 2018, this is detailed in the table below. These additional vehicles have provided greater capacity on the busiest services and have enabled the retirement of the old Pacer trains, which previously provided the majority of services on the Valley Lines.
The current average age of the Transport for Wales fleet is 28.5 years, however this will drastically reduce in the coming years as the new train fleets enter service.
Transport for Wales does not maintain a database detailing the number of passengers who use the existing fleet of trains and who use the additional vehicles which have been acquired.
Class
Carriage
Train
Date in service
Routes
153
18
18
2019-20
Across Wales (CVL and WCB)
170
32
8
2019
Ebbw Vale, Maesteg, Cheltenham
769
32
8
2020-21
Rhymney - Penarth
Mark 4
12
3
2021
Holyhead - Cardiff
Mark 2
8
2
2019-20
Cardiff - Rhymney
TOTAL
102
39