Figures have been released by Transport for Wales, which display very healthy numbers of rail customers travelling through Wales to the seaside through the summer.
A substantial increase in passengers using Transport for Wales services heading to popular locations such as Barmouth, Barry Island, Tenby and Llandudno was shown through July and August despite the inclement weather.
The favourite destination with 65,046 visitors was the well-loved town of Llandudno.
A collaboration between Transport for Wales and Network Rail has seen the return of four carriage trains on the Cambrian Coast line for the first time in six years.
This return to service has no doubt supported the growth recorded in the figures and has seen a 16% increase in journeys made with 106,000 people travelling to popular destinations when compared to the same period last year with 90,000 journeys recorded.
A massive 63% increase in customers heading to Pwllheli, which is located at the end of the Cambrian line. Flint, which is on the North Wales Coast, also saw an increase in visitors of 58% when compared to the same period in 2022. The figures also revealed an increase in visitor figures for:
- Barmouth, with 34,452 visitors arriving by train for summer this year, compared to 30,786 in 2022.
- Aberystwyth, with 36,121 visitors arriving by train over the summer period this year, rising from 32,857 in 2022.
The ever-popular Barry Island. saw 57,015 visitors arrive by train this summer, with Tenby also showing a very positive 19,809 visitors travelling to the delightful harbour town.
Gwyn Rees, Network Rail's Performance and transformation director for Wales and also Director of the Cambrian Local Railway Partnership, said:
“Wales is blessed with some of the best seaside and coastal destinations in the world, so it's great to see people jumping on the train to take advantage of that.”
“On the Cambrian line, we worked hard to ensure four carriage trains could run up the coast where we know people want to be travelling.”
Colin Lea, Transport for Wales Planning and Performance, said: “As a rail operator, we play a massive part in getting people off for their holidays and days out. We know that being able to run good, reliable services to these key destinations is vital for the growth of those local economies.”
“On the Cambrian line, we have some breathtakingly beautiful spots and the four-car operation has allowed more people to take full advantage of those.”
