Nationalising railways could be “right decision” says Plaid – but questions remain

Responding to the news that the Transport for Wales rail franchise is to be brought under Welsh Government control from next February, Plaid Cymru Shadow Minister for Transport Helen Mary Jones MS said,

“This could well be the right decision. Plaid Cymru has always maintained that our railways should be brought into public hands and the government put passengers before profit. We called for the rail franchise to be a not for profit model before it was let – calls that were dismissed by Labour.

“However crucial questions remain. What are the financial implications? Does Transport for Wales have the capacity to directly manage the service? What is the nature of this subsidiary?

“Decisions of this importance should be announced in the Senedd so that members can ask questions on behalf of the people of Wales. I’m grateful to the Minster for agreeing to meet me privately to discuss, but that is no substitute for public scrutiny. I believe that there is a case for the Senedd to be recalled so that this can be debated.”