Row delays decision on Mid Wales trains franchise

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.

Shadow transport minister and Montgomeryshire Assembly Member Russell George said people in Mid Wales just wanted a good rail service.

He said: “There is a row between two governments but the only thing people will be worried about is having trains on time, wifi, the right facilities and access and that is what they want.

“We want the links to be there for Mid Wales, and we hope this row is resolved as soon as possible so we can move to the next franchise.

“If it is further delayed it will mean Arriva continuing to operate and we might not get as good a service continuing until a decision has been made.

“The franchise is for 15 years so the government has to get this right.”

The bidders for the franchise are Abellio, Arriva, KeolisAmey and MTR and they had been due due to submit tenders on August 18.

In June the Welsh Government delayed the process for six weeks, and blamed the UK Government for it, prompting a response from Mr Grayling.

In his Mr Grayling’s letter he cited unresolved issues such as transfer of ownership of lines between the government and Network Rail, and Welsh and UK civil servants failing to agree how the Welsh Government will exercise powers over English train stations served by the franchise.

He also makes a reference to a dispute over payments and said the Welsh Government could not cut corners.

He concludes the letter by saying: “I will ensure my officials continue to do everything they can to support the process and enable the necessary agreements to be concluded as quickly as possible to ensure we deliver a satisfactory arrangement for passengers.”

Mr George has lobbied in the past for services to be maintained and improved for Mid Wales and he hopes that will still be taken into account.

He said: “It is a vitally important link from Mid Wales, it helps with businesses, jobs and the economy.”

“I have lobbed for the next franchise to take into account better services in Mid Wales as well as connections to the bigger cities.

“It is massive for this area.”