Testing of new trains for the Wales & Borders rail franchise has started.
As part of overall orders for £800m worth of new rolling stock placed by Transport for Wales, Fast Light Intercity and Regional Trains (FLIRTs) from Stadler are now being tested at its headquarters in Switzerland.
They consist of 11 diesel trains that will operate services between Cardiff and Ebbw Vale, Maesteg and Cheltenham and 23 trimodes, which will be able to switch between diesel, battery and electric modes, on the Rhymney, Coryton and Vale of Glamorgan Lines.
Stadler will also deliver 36 tram-trains for the South Wales Metro project with electrification of the Core Valley Lines.
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Work on the Metro was scheduled to be completed by 2023, but due to Covid could slip into 2024. There is currently no update on the production schedule for the CityLink tram trains.
Following testing in Switzerland the FLIRTs will be transferred to South Wales for further tests and will begin to enter service from the end of next year.
The trains will have greater capacity than existing rolling stock and will be more frequent with improved facilities including power sockets, information screens and air conditioning throughout. There will be space for up to six bikes on each train and level-boarding to assist those with limited mobility.
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Financing of the rolling stock by Transport for Wales, the transport body of the Welsh Government is via a leasing company financed by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC).
Transport for Wales chief executive, James Price, said: “From day one our main goal has been to transform transport and improve the customer experience. These brand-new trains with better facilities all round will provide a modern service for the people of Wales.
“We’ve already started testing on some of our new trains within Wales and I’m pleased our Stadler FLIRTs are now being tested in Europe and will then be sent to us for testing on our network.
“Our teams are pushing ahead building the South Wales Metro and we’re moving forward with the new trains that will provide a modern turn-up-and-go service that is greener for the environment.”
Sandro Muster, project manager at Stadler, said: “The FLIRT is Stadler’s best-selling product for passengers. With more than 1,970 of them sold in 21 countries, it is reliable, innovative and suited to a wide range of climates and geographies, including cities and regions alike.”
Testing has also begun on the Class 197 diesel trains for the franchise that will assembled at a factory in Newport by Spanish firm CAF.
Transport for Wales took over direct running of the franchise through the operator of last resort mechanism from KeolisAmey at the start of the year. KeolisAmey has been awarded a 15-year franchise back in 2018, but the impact of Covid on passenger numbers made it commercially unviable for it to continue.
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According to its financial report for the year to the end of March, 2021, Transport for Wales received £638m grant funding revenue funding for provision of rail passenger services.
This included:
£176m of Covid-19 revenue support and other emergency measures funding.
£88m capital funding for the provision of rail passenger services, including purchase of rolling stock, depot development and station improvements.
£147m capital expenditure on rail infrastructure and a further £47m spend on projects and service operation.
During the year its head count rose from 305 in March 2020 to 481 following the appointment of 112 employees and the transfer of 91 members of the Axis cleaning team (there were 27 leavers).
As a subsidiary of the Transport for Wales Group, Transport for Wales Rail Limited employs a further 2,604. These are the staff that transferred over from KeolisAmey.
Highlights of 2020/21 included the ongoing transformation of the Core Valleys Lines and improvements to Swansea, Bridgend and Wrexham railway stations. The first new railway station on the Wales and Borders network since 2015 was also opened at Bow Street.
Chair of Transport for Wales, Scott Waddington, said:“2020/21 has been a year like no other. As an organisation, Covid-19 has tested our resilience and agility as we have responded to the disruption that has impacted our people, customers, communities and services.
"The result is that we have changed beyond all recognition in the last 12 months and now form the Transport for Wales Group following the transfer of the Wales and Borders rail franchise into our subsidiary Transport for Wales Rail Ltd in February 2021. These are therefore our first set of consolidated financial statements.
“It has been a period of unprecedented challenges and transformational changes with our colleagues working together to keep Wales moving safely whilst continuing to deliver the Welsh Government’s vision of developing a more integrated transport network that is accessible to all. This is an organisation that has changed beyond all recognition in the last 12 months yet we have remained focused on delivery and I pay tribute to our colleagues and partners alike.”
Mr Price, whose total remuneration for the year, which included pension benefits, was £240,000 said: “Working as one team, we’re driving forward the Welsh Government’s vision of a high quality, safe, integrated, affordable and accessible transport network that the people of Wales can be proud of.
"Indeed, this year has seen several significant milestones in the evolution of Transport for Wales. We’ve taken responsibility for the Core Valleys Lines following the transfer from Network Rail in March 2020 before becoming the operator of the Wales and Borders rail service with the creation of Transport for Wales Rail Limited in February 2021. There was also the transition of the Axis cleaning team early this year as we continue to build a better in-service experience for our customers.
“Covid-19 has made 2020/21 a difficult year for everyone but our team remains focussed on doing the right thing for the people of Wales; transforming customer experience and encouraging a long-lasting and sustainable modal shift.”
During the year, due to Covid, customer demand ranged from 15% to 35% compared to the previous year.