KEOLISAMEY, the new operators of Wales and Border rail services, have outlined their plans for the next 15 years of travel services.
The company, who won the £5bn bid to take over the services last month, say they will spend £800m on new trains, increasing capacity by two-thirds, and provide new trains for 95% of journeys within five years.
600 additional staff will be recruited and four new Cardiff light rail stations will be built, as part of the South Wales Metro.
They will be at Gabalfa, Crwys Road, Loudoun Square and The Flourish.
The company takes over from Arriva Trains Wales in October.
Carwyn Jones, the First Minister, has called the plans a ‘landmark moment in the future development of Wales’.
He said: “People said they wanted affordable fares and newer, cleaner trains and we have worked hard to ensure this is reflected in what we are launching today.”
All new trains, rail cars and buses will be red and black, and branded with Transport for Wales logos, rather than company logos.
The French-Spanish joint venture said that half of the new trains will be built in Wales and £1.9bn is being put towards improving the travel experience for passengers.
Looking to modernise the train services, smart ticketing will provide flexible fares and cheaper off-peak prices. WiFi on the trains will also be improved.
They are promising an additional 285 extra services on Monday to Friday, with 294 extra Sunday services.
The company said that Wales’ railway will be ‘unrecognisable’ in five years.
Alistair Gordon, Chief Executive of Keolis UK, said: “For too long the railways in Wales have suffered from under investment and, while the changes we need to make will take time, we are creating a platform for future economic growth and prosperity that will benefit all of Wales now and for generations to come.”
Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns said: “It is important that future investment provides visible and practical improvements to the rail travel experience on a franchise with the potential to grow transport links between England and Wales.”
James Price, Chief Executive of Transport for Wales, said: “This is more than a significant investment in rail services, it’s also an investment in the future prosperity of Wales.”
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