Figures uncovered by Aberconwy Assembly Member, Janet Finch-Saunders, show that Arriva Trains Wales have paid out over £2.4m in financial penalties, levied for delayed or cancelled services.
Janet said:
“These figures are quite startling – when you look at the amounts being paid out of poor service, it really is worrying.
“Whilst the sums have come down over the years, it is a concern that they remain higher than anyone would like. Travellers would much rather their services ran to the published timetables than the Welsh Government received another payout – so maybe the Cabinet Secretary needs to look at other ways to incentivise adequate performance.
“I will be scrutinising the Welsh Government on how this £2.4m has been spent, and where it is being invested – this should be prioritised to improve road and rail infrastructure around Wales – proactively future-proofing our transport system.”
“I look forward to the new contract commencing – many people are expecting big things in terms of service improvements, and it is imperative on KeolisAmey and the Welsh Government that we are not let down!”
ENDS
Notes
Year
Penalties levied
2010/11
£1,016,261.30
2012/13
£411,757.05
2013/14
£245,674.69
2015/16
£156,978.70
2016/17
£489,242.39
2017/18
£131,572.47
TOTAL
£2,451,486.60
WAQ tabled (pending response) to Ken Skates AM: Further to WAQ76713, will the Cabinet Secretary confirm how the monies received from financial penalties have been spent, and where any funds received from such future penalties will be directed in the future?
FOR ANSWER BY
THE CABINET SECRETARY FOR ECONOMY AND TRANSPORT
ON 22 JUNE 2018
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy):Further to WAQ76633, will the Cabinet Secretary state how much the financial penalty will be, and provide the total amount of penalties levied at Arriva during each financial year, separately, for their time running the franchise, and the reasons for the penalties? (WAQ76713)
Ken Skates: Transport for Wales will closely monitor the performance of KeolisAmey and will penalise them should they not meet the benchmarks set out in the contract in areas such as cancellations, short formation of services, passenger time lost and the condition of stations and trains. It is not possible at this stage to advise the level of financial penalties as this will depend on the number and scale of the failure to achieve the benchmarks.
The following sets out the level of financial penalties paid by Arriva Trains Wales from 2010. These penalties were levied for failures to meet punctuality benchmarks and for services cancelled for reasons within the operator's control:
2010/11 £1,016,261.30
2012/13 £411,757.05
2013/14 £245,674.69
2015/16 £156,978.70
2016/17 £489,242.39
2017/18 £131,572.47
WRITTEN ASSEMBLY QUESTION
FOR ANSWER BY
THE CABINET SECRETARY FOR ECONOMY AND TRANSPORT
ON 08 JUNE 2018
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the cancellation of the Conwy Valley line rail service, and advise as to how he will work to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place within the forthcoming KeolisAmey contract to avoid such an occurrence in the future? (WAQ76633)
Ken Skates: I was very disappointed to hear services on the Conwy Valley line have been cancelled due to trains requiring maintenance. I expect Arriva Trains Wales to manage their resources effectively to deliver timetabled services, and they will be financially penalised for failure to operate services. Transport for Wales will ensure that KeolisAmey meet their contractual obligations to operate services on this route.