Transforming Rail in Wales – Transport for Wales boss gives exclusive interview

It is not that many years ago that the train operator in Wales was working to a franchise agreement that many criticised as ‘no growth’. Whether that was entirely fair or not, there was no doubt that train services in Wales were being run with ageing trains on infrastructure that in many places needed significant upgrade and investment.

Fast forward to 2025 and the position has been totally transformed. Transport for Wales is now in charge of forging a new path and they are doing a pretty good job of it. The Core Valley Lines are unrecognisable compared to the recent past with brand new rolling stock, electrification, upgraded stations and the promise of metro style frequencies. Now attention is turning to North Wales with the hope that similar change can be achieved there.

The leader of this transformation is James Price, CEO of Transport for Wales. Although he may at first come across as a careful and measured individual, it is quickly clear that James is passionate and determined to improve the transport provision in Wales and the evidence so far is he is succeeding. In this interview, we cover a wide range of topics such as South Wales Metro, Network North Wales, challenges with Rolling stock, Great British Railways and how it might affect Wales in the future, and of course HS2 and the Barnett formula. James doesn’t duck any question and there is a refreshing directness to his approach.

It seems that the railways in Wales are at last in good hands.

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Presenters - Nigel Harris (@railnigel on X) & Richard Bowker CBE (@SRichardBowker). General Manager: Stef Foster (@stefatrail)

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