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Rail fares in Wales are set to rise by an average of 4.6% from next month, the Welsh Government has announced.

Transport secretary Ken Skates said the increases, which follow on from a 4.9% increase early last year, will come into force from March 2.

Mr Skates said: “Each year we have to make decisions on changes to regulated rail fares in Wales, balancing the need to keep cost increases as low as possible for passengers whilst also ensuring that Transport for Wales (TfW) are able to collect enough revenue to meet their rising costs and reduce subsidy.”

He said the increases are in line with those announced for fares controlled by the UK Government.

Transport for Wales will be applying different increases to regulated fares. The price of an anytime day single fare will go up by 3%, while seven-day season ticket fares will rise by 3.5%.

Meanwhile, anytime day returns and off-peak return fares will go up by 6%.

‘A vestige of the privatised railway’

The transport secretary admitted fare increases are “unwelcome” but said an “increasing majority” of passengers no longer use the regulated fares.

Mr Skates said: “They are a vestige of the privatised railway, established to ensure that private operators could not drive huge increases in fares to maximise their profits at the expense of passengers outside the control of governments.”

Mr Skates highlighted the recent introduction of the cheaper ‘tap in and out’ system, and continued: “It is my hope that with the progress of rail reform, the return of railway services into the public sector will see the end of the need for regulated rail fares – with public sector operators prioritising value for money for passengers.”

‘Severe disruption’

Peter Fox, the Conservative shadow transport secretary, called for improved rail services in Wales “so that hard working commuters get what they deserve”.

Highlighting ongoing works to complete the South Wales Metro project, Mr Fox said: “Passengers across the core valley lines have faced severe disruption and the works are still ongoing. It’s no wonder passengers will question these increases whilst patiently awaiting the works being finished.

“People want value for money, and until significant service improvements are delivered across Wales, passengers will continue to question the hundreds of millions of pounds Labour has spent on TfW, alongside the rising cost of passenger fares.”