17 Oct 2024
Transport for Wales (TfW) recorded the largest rise in passenger numbers out of all the UK’s train operators this spring, up 27% on the previous year.
Newly published data shows that between April and June this year, 7.6 million journeys were made on TfW services compared to 6 million in the same period the previous year.
Chief Executive Officer James Price said: “If you look at the numbers, we’re seeing a rise in lots of different communities, not just one or two areas.
“That’s down to the hard work of so many people to deliver a consistent and reliable service.
“We’ve also introduced a large number of brand-new trains as our £800 million commitment to upgrading our fleet continues.
“We’re doing what it takes to make the Welsh transport network the best it can be, and it’s encouraging to see more and more people using it for their everyday lives.”
The rise can be attributed to multiple factors including:
- Introduction of brand-new trains (In April 2023, TfW had introduced 26 brand new trains to the network. By April 2024, the figure was at 57).
- Additional services on the Wrexham to Bidston line and brand-new services from Ebbw Vale to Newport.
- Improved performance in terms of punctuality (+8.1% improvement) and reliability (cancellations reduced by 3.2%), compared to the April - June period in 2023.
- Extension of Pay As You Go roll out in south east Wales making it even easier to travel by rail.
- Introduction of cheaper Advance fares across much of the network, available up to and on the day of travel.
- Reopening of the Treherbert line in February 2024 (contributed approx. 316,000 journeys compared to the previous year).
Key major events in Cardiff have also contributed to the rise with Bruce Springsteen, Pink, Foo Fighters and Taylor Swift all putting on concerts in the capital city between May and June of this year.
Some of the lines that have seen strong growth include:
- Chester-Manchester/Liverpool has contributed just under 11% of total volume growth YTD
- Cardiff-Merthyr has contributed just over 10% of total volume growth YTD
- Chester-Birmingham Int has contributed just under 10% of total volume growth YTD
- Cardiff-Swansea has contributed just under 8% of total volume growth YTD
- Crewe-Holyhead has contributed just under 6% of total volume growth YTD
Notes to editors
TfW was the most improved train operator in terms of reliability and cancellations from April to June 2024 Passenger rail performance – April to June 2024 (orr.gov.uk)
This year has also seen a significant rise in passenger satisfaction, with Transport Focus’ Rail User Survey showing 88% of customers were satisfied – our highest score since the survey began.
The ORR figures showing the 27% rise for April to June can be found HERE
Based on the latest rail period (2025/P06) TfW Rail has continued to outperform the wider rail industry in terms of revenue, volume and yield recovery against the pre-COVID position (with TfW Rail 11 percentage points ahead in volume recovery terms).
TfW Rail also remains well ahead of the wider industry in terms of year-on-year growth in both revenue and volume, with TfW Rail 17 percentage points ahead in volume growth terms.
During April to June 2023, TfW were running 7071 services per week. In the April to June 2024 period that had increased to 7119.
