8. Plaid Cymru Debate: Rolling Stock Strategy

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:11 pm on 20 November 2019.

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Photo of Hefin David Hefin David Labour 5:11, 20 November 2019

And the UK Government gave the Welsh Government absolutely no support and it actively prevented them from bringing new diesel stock onto the lines. That was prevented. I'm sure the Minister can elaborate further on that, as I'm absolutely sure he didn't mislead our committee.

I also want to pay tribute to Transport for Wales, who've been very open. When I was elected in 2016, I met with Ian Bullock, who was then chief executive of Arriva Trains Wales, and I met with Tom Joyner, and as a result, leading into the era of James Price at Transport for Wales, we have had extra rolling stock delivered on the Rhymney line. I have seen, for example, Transport for Wales introducing the popular class 37 loco-hauled stock on the Rhymney line. I'm worried, when that's going to go, people won't be happy. From 15 December, the Valleys lines will see more four-carriage trains on peak services, 6,500 extra seats. We are seeing improvement. And what I've seen personally as Assembly Member for Caerphilly are extra seats at peak times, morning and evening, on the Rhymney to Cardiff line. These have been delivered directly as a result of the pressure that I've put on Arriva and Transport for Wales, and working with them and their—let's use the word—heroic staff to deliver these extra seats. The stock is not up to standard, but the staff are and they're delivering that quality service. I am confident that we're going to see a transformed service in the three years, but, in the meantime, what we've got are heroic Transport for Wales staff keeping that stock on the line.