Free rural rail travel to continue

Minister for Transport, Ieuan Wyn Jones, today (Sunday 3 October 2010) announced that the popular free rail concessionary fares scheme on the Borderlands and Conwy Valley lines will continue and will restart on the Heart of Wales and Cambrian Coast lines for the autumn and winter.

Cerdyn Cymru pass holders will continue to benefit from free rail travel on the Conwy Valley Line between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Llandudno, and on the Welsh section of the Wrexham – Bidston Line. The first scheme is open to cardholders from the counties of Conwy and Gwynedd, the second to those from Flintshire and Wrexham.

The Cambrian Coast scheme restarts on today (3 October) for eligible Gwynedd pass holders, and also on the Heart of Wales Line for eligible Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Powys passholders.

The scheme will continue for a further 12 months until the end of September 2011 on the Borderlands and Conwy Valley Lines and until 27 March 2011 on the Heart of Wales and Cambrian Coast Lines.

Said Mr Jones; “The concessionary rural rail scheme continues to be very popular – particularly with pensioners without a car, those that feel isolated due to a lack of available bus service and those with a low income from their pension.

“This One Wales Commitment has demonstrated that free rail travel can address key policy objectives including increasing the use of public transport, decreasing private car use, reducing rural isolation and strengthening rural communities.

An independent evaluation report of the scheme completed by the Wales Transport Research Centre revealed that free rail travel is changing travel behaviour and reducing car use – with 74% of survey respondents stating that they now use the train more often as a result of the scheme.

In addition to the positive impact free rail travel can make to peoples lives the report also revealed that increased use of rail travel has generated increased spending which in turn has a significant benefit on the rural economy – with most passengers spending £50 during their trips in shops, on food and drink and visiting local leisure venues.

A total of 97,181 free rail journeys were made in 2009/10.

Source: WAG 3 October 2010