Written statement (Wales) on New Rail Services Agreement & Secretary of State Agreements - Feb 2

Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Transport & North Wales: The Welsh Ministers have a duty under Section 30 of the Railways Act 1993 in respect of the Wales-only services and the Welsh component of Welsh services to secure continuity of the provision of passenger rail services. The Welsh Ministers also procure the provision of passenger rail services that comprise the English component of Welsh Services acting as agent of the UK Government Secretary of State. 

The Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport and UK Government Ministers have approved a public sector rail services agreement with Transport for Wales Rail Limited, alongside approval to the associated and necessary agreements between the Welsh Ministers and UK Government, to maintain the operation of rail services under Section 30 of the Railways Act 1993.

The public sector rail services agreement and agreements with the UK Government came into force on 1 February 2026.

The agreement is flexible and designed to build upon the over £1bn investment in transforming the Core Valley Lines, £800m on new trains, capacity increases and performance improvements already delivered across Wales and the Borders.