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| Train fares rise by up to a third | Train fares rise by up to a third |
| (about 22 hours later) | |
| Rail passengers face fare rises of up to a third to travel between regions in Wales with the withdrawal of the cheapest "walk up" train fares. | Rail passengers face fare rises of up to a third to travel between regions in Wales with the withdrawal of the cheapest "walk up" train fares. |
| From 20 May, the equivalent ticket from Bangor to Abergavenny will go up from £49.50 to £66.20 - a 34% increase. | From 20 May, the equivalent ticket from Bangor to Abergavenny will go up from £49.50 to £66.20 - a 34% increase. |
| Politicians said Arriva Trains Wales' plans to end 'SuperSaver' fares were a "disgrace" and "unacceptable". | Politicians said Arriva Trains Wales' plans to end 'SuperSaver' fares were a "disgrace" and "unacceptable". |
| The company said it was offering "new attractive prices" for long distance travel and encouraging advance booking. | The company said it was offering "new attractive prices" for long distance travel and encouraging advance booking. |
| The franchise it operates in Wales and the borders is managed by the Welsh Assembly Government, which provides investment funding while there is an annual subsidy from the UK Treasury of at least £120m. | |
| The whole set-up is a complete nightmare Lib Dem AM Eleanor Burnham | The whole set-up is a complete nightmare Lib Dem AM Eleanor Burnham |
| Passengers buying SuperSaver tickets have been able to walk straight onto a train and travel relatively cheaply, apart from on Fridays and Saturdays in the summer. | Passengers buying SuperSaver tickets have been able to walk straight onto a train and travel relatively cheaply, apart from on Fridays and Saturdays in the summer. |
| Arriva said sales of the tickets had fallen by 21% over the previous three months. | |
| Nevertheless, AMs believe the cost of buying the nearest equivalent ticket, the Saver, will come as shock to passengers. | Nevertheless, AMs believe the cost of buying the nearest equivalent ticket, the Saver, will come as shock to passengers. |
| The journey from Llandudno to Cardiff will climb 29% from £59.40 to £76.80 and a trip from Aberystwyth to Wrexham will rise 17% from £30.30 to £35.50 | The journey from Llandudno to Cardiff will climb 29% from £59.40 to £76.80 and a trip from Aberystwyth to Wrexham will rise 17% from £30.30 to £35.50 |
| Welsh Conservative transport spokesman Alun Cairns warned the price changes would put people off using trains. | Welsh Conservative transport spokesman Alun Cairns warned the price changes would put people off using trains. |
| He said: "At a time when we are trying to encouraging greater use of public transport these sort of steep price rises are unacceptable. | He said: "At a time when we are trying to encouraging greater use of public transport these sort of steep price rises are unacceptable. |
| "Commuters need every incentive to get out of their cars and onto comfortable, reliable trains. Sharply increasing the price of a ticket hardly helps achieve this." | "Commuters need every incentive to get out of their cars and onto comfortable, reliable trains. Sharply increasing the price of a ticket hardly helps achieve this." |
| North Wales Liberal Democrat AM Eleanor Burnham called the new prices "a disgrace" and said they demonstrated the weakness of the privatised rail structure. | North Wales Liberal Democrat AM Eleanor Burnham called the new prices "a disgrace" and said they demonstrated the weakness of the privatised rail structure. |
| "The whole set-up is a complete nightmare, we've got to have a look at the franchise to see what we can do. | "The whole set-up is a complete nightmare, we've got to have a look at the franchise to see what we can do. |
| "We need to ensure we're getting value for money". | "We need to ensure we're getting value for money". |
| Plaid Cymru transport spokesman Alun Ffred Jones said a detailed explanation of the prices was needed. | Plaid Cymru transport spokesman Alun Ffred Jones said a detailed explanation of the prices was needed. |
| "These are massive increases, out of all proportion. For the increasing number of people travelling to and from Cardiff this seems unreasonable". | "These are massive increases, out of all proportion. For the increasing number of people travelling to and from Cardiff this seems unreasonable". |
| Cheap options | Cheap options |
| Labour, who are beginning talks with the Lib Dems and Plaid about forming the new assembly government, said Arriva had made a "commercial decision". | Labour, who are beginning talks with the Lib Dems and Plaid about forming the new assembly government, said Arriva had made a "commercial decision". |
| But a Labour spokesman said: "Labour intends to deliver its manifesto commitments for the people of Wales. | But a Labour spokesman said: "Labour intends to deliver its manifesto commitments for the people of Wales. |
| "We will make further improvements to the north-south rail links and Valleys Lines. Labour will also deliver on introducing a scheme of discounted rail fares for older people." | "We will make further improvements to the north-south rail links and Valleys Lines. Labour will also deliver on introducing a scheme of discounted rail fares for older people." |
| Arriva commercial director Mike Bagshaw argued the new ticket prices were responding to changes in the market place. | Arriva commercial director Mike Bagshaw argued the new ticket prices were responding to changes in the market place. |
| He said: "Arriva Trains Wales new fare structure reflects the way people buy their rail tickets these days. | He said: "Arriva Trains Wales new fare structure reflects the way people buy their rail tickets these days. |
| "For longer journeys people tend to book in advance which is why we have introduced cheap options for north to south travel such as from Bangor or Llandudno Junction to Cardiff from as little as £15 or £9.90 for railcard holders." | "For longer journeys people tend to book in advance which is why we have introduced cheap options for north to south travel such as from Bangor or Llandudno Junction to Cardiff from as little as £15 or £9.90 for railcard holders." |
| A company spokesman added that it would be reviewing its prices again in the autumn. | A company spokesman added that it would be reviewing its prices again in the autumn. |