JANET Finch-Saunders, MS for Aberconwy, has called on the Welsh Government to make further improvements to Transport for Wales rail networks.

The call comes as people across Wales struggle with widespread and frequent train delays, while the network’s infrastructure has also come under significant criticism.

Recently, a man in Rhyl spoke of the fear of losing his job due to poor punctuality caused by repeatedly delayed trains between Rhyl and Flint, where he works.

Mrs Finch-Saunders, who uses Transport for Wales trains to attend the Senedd in Cardiff Bay, has now called on Welsh Government to revamp the network, criticising the current rate of progress.

When travelling down to Cardiff Bay with a member of staff, Mrs Finch-Saunders’ usual 4-hour journey took 9 hours in total,

The Aberconwy MS said: “The people of Wales deserve a national train network that is not only modern and affordable but reliant and accountable when things go wrong.

“Yesterday was a poor example of the so-called progress this Welsh Government is supposedly making in its rail development plan.”

“We need to be thinking radically about the future of transport in Wales.

“With a major capital in the south, citizens should not feel discouraged by the Welsh Government’s inability to deliver on the basic connectivity standards we expect as taxpayers.”

The MS for Aberconwy called on Deputy Minister for Climate Change Lee Waters MS to deliver a statement on the severe delays seen this week on TfW services, adding that Wales should look to expand and use worldwide examples of efficient public transport systems as inspiration for progress on its own.

Mrs Finch-Saunders said: “We need to be taking inspiration from around Europe and the World in how we can run a world beating transport system, like Luxembourg and Australia.

“We need to look at free transport zones, the mass rollout of clean green trains and buses and a stimulating campaign to get passenger growth on the go.

“If we want to see mass economic growth in Wales, we need a mass movement of people and barriers preventing this only delays the opportunities we’re aspiring to create for the future.”

Recently, a new commission was set up to review transport in North Wales, with a view to building a sustainable and integrated transport system.