Row delays decision on Mid Wales trains franchise
The future management of trains from Mid Wales to London is up in the air over a row between the UK and Welsh Governments.
Bids for the Wales and Border trains franchise could be put on hold due to a dispute over the tender process.
Currently Arriva holds the contract for trains taking passengers from Aberystwyth, through Mid Wales, and on to major cities.
Four companies, including Arriva, have revealed they will bid for the next franchise, which was set to be announced in January and to run for 15 years.
The franchise will receive between £110 million and £160m a year.
In a leaked letter published on Sunday Transport Minister Chris Grayling raised questions over the work done by the Welsh Government, and said their plea for £1 billion extra funding had “no basis”.
The plan to formally launch the search for a new operator was due to start on Friday, but has been pushed back six weeks due to the latest row.
