7. Will the First Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government plans for rail services in Monmouthshire? OAQ53570

Our plans for improved rail services in Monmouthshire will see refurbished trains in service this year on both the Abergavenny and Chepstow lines, providing increased capacity and modern facilities. New trains and additional services will follow as the Wales and borders rail contract is rolled out.

Diolch, First Minister. Can you update us on your efforts to deal with some of the teething problems that have befallen the Transport for Wales franchise in its first few months? I did raise this issue in the business statement with the Trefnydd last week. One of my constituents, studying at Hereford Sixth Form College, has experienced many services being delayed or cancelled, and she's very worried about her exams coming up shortly, in a few weeks' time, and the effect that a cancellation of trains may have on her. She catches the train from Abergavenny station.

I know that the Minister for Economy and Transport has said that a lot of this is due to maintenance issues and a lack of maintenance of rolling stock in the closing days of the previous franchise. Whatever the reasons might be, what reassurance can you give my constituent and, indeed, other passengers of the Transport for Wales franchise in my neck of the woods in south-east Wales, that these issues are being looked at and will be dealt with at the earliest opportunity?

I thank the Member for that; I can give him that assurance. As he knows, in the early days of the franchise, the age of the fleet and the large amount of maintenance backlog did pose real challenges to Transport for Wales. Since that time, the pattern of services has improved, delays and cancellations are down.There is a £40 million investment in the current fleet to improve service performance, and that includes fitting the current fleet with wheel slide protection, which is one of the reasons why there were early difficulties.

We've also made it easier for passengers to claim compensation when any disruption is experienced, but our ambition, and that of Transport for Wales—an ambition that they are increasingly fulfilling—is to make sure that services are provided on time, without cancellations, and to the satisfaction of users.

Finally, question 8, Dawn Bowden.