4. Will the First Minister provide an update on plans for the procurement of new rolling stock at the commencement of the new Wales and Borders rail franchise? OAQ(5)0371(FM)

I can say that the procurement of this contract has started and we have made it clear that we expect to see higher quality rolling stock introduced as part of that process.

Travelling on the Rhymney to Cardiff line at rush hour on the Valleys lines is a grim experience. I know that from journeys I’ve taken myself, and the Valleys lines generally, I’m told, are the same. Arriva have told me several times that there is simply no rolling stock available to ease the overcrowding. They told me that a new diesel train would take approximately three years to procure from the procurement to the receipt of the stock. That means that, if new diesel stock is ordered as part of the new franchise agreement, rail passengers may not see new carriages until 2021 at the earliest. What is the Welsh Government currently doing to ease the problem in the short term with regard to rolling stock? Moreover, is there any way the Welsh Government can order new rolling stock today or in the coming months? The new operators, when they take over the franchise, may have rolling stock of sufficient quality and number to ease the overcrowding problem.

The problem we’ve had historically is not having control of the franchise. We still won’t be able to put in place a public sector agency in order to run the franchise, unless there are changes at Westminster, even though the Scots can, of course, but we won’t be able to do that. The difficultly is that the current model involves operators that lease their rolling stock in the main. So, when they do face capacity problems, they haven’t got the stock. In the days of British Rail, the stock was there. That’s the problem with the model that we have at the moment and its weaknesses compared to the British Rail model that existed before the early 1990s. But we are making it clear, as part of the procurement for the new contract, that we expect to see higher quality rolling stock. It’s not going to be good enough in the future simply to say, ‘There’s a limit on what we can procure’ or ‘There’s a limit on the quality of the rolling stock that will be running on the Welsh railways.’ We want to make sure, as the metro rolls out, it stands amongst the best in Europe.

Similar concerns to Hefin David, but concerning the Heart of Wales line from Swansea to Shrewsbury—with travellers feeling that the present contract is a long way short of being fit for purpose. Can you assure passengers that you’re looking to provide more trains, faster trains and better trains as part of the next franchise agreement?

We intent that no railway line in Wales is left behind. We want to make sure that the travel experience for people is as good on a heavily used line as it is for the Heart of Wales line, which is an important artery for so many communities in Wales. It’s said, of course, the reason why it’s survived is because it runs through six marginal constituencies—so the urban myth has it—but it’s good to see it there. It’s an important part, not just of our passenger rail network, but it’s an important freight diversion line as well when the main line is closed.

By January 2020, rolling stock in Wales will need to comply with the new UK-wide rules on disability access. As it stands now, the majority of the Wales and borders rolling stock would not meet these standards and we’ve got evidence to suggest that securing new rolling stock could take, of course, up to four years. Are you confident that the fleet will be modernised in time for this approaching deadline?

There are expectations that we will place on those who are bidding to run the Wales and borders franchise contract, and as part of the expectations that we will have, we will want to make sure that they have proof not just against the law as it currently stands but, of course, ensure that they are able to comply with the law in the future.

Given that the new rolling stock is an essential demand within the franchise decision, is the First Minister in a position to specify to any interested parties whether, and to what extent, light rail stock will be required as opposed to standard rail stock, given the implications of the proposed metro system?

These are issues that are being considered as part of the process. It’s right to say that, certainly in the future, we will be looking at light rail in terms of providing new services. It’s easy to do that than through heavy rail. And, of course, we’re examining very carefully what the most effective way of providing rail services will be in the future. I do emphasise that whatever model is chosen for any particular line, the terms and conditions of those working in the railway service will, of course, be protected.