The Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Janet Finch-Saunders, has challenged the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales regarding the rising rail fares and the impact of reduced bus fares.

With a pilot program to lower bus fares for 16 to 21-year-olds, Mrs. Finch-Saunders says there needs to be a careful assessment of how this could affect rail passenger numbers.

She claims that increased bus usage could ultimately lead to higher train ticket prices.

“For many rail users, the cost of rail fares is already seen as expensive. With train tickets to get from Llandudno Junction to Cardiff going from £110 to £117, it is appalling that it remains cheaper for residents of North Wales to fly from Manchester Airport to many destinations across Europe than to go by train to Cardiff.

“It is known and accepted that affordable fares are the key to increasing rail passenger numbers and will decrease the need for a public subsidy.

“With this in mind, and the introduction of a pilot that will reduce bus fares for people aged 16 to 21, it is important that the Welsh Government considers the impacts that this will have on rail patronage. It is a genuine possibility that there will now be an increase in bus usage, and a reduction in rail patronage, which in turn could lead to the cost of train tickets having to be increased again”.