Local Senedd Members Samuel Kurtz and Paul Davies have criticised the poor performance of Labour-run Transport for Wales (TfW), after new figures revealed the company’s cancellation rates are more than double the UK average.

According to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), TfW cancelled 7.6 per cent of its planned services between January and September 2025, the equivalent of 15,958 scrapped trains out of 210,088 scheduled journeys. This ranks TfW 21st out of 24 train operators nationwide.

In contrast, other publicly owned rail operators have maintained far higher levels of reliability, with ScotRail, Lumo, and Greater Anglia all keeping cancellations below 2 per cent.

For Pembrokeshire, this news comes not long after local campaigners voiced growing concern about the state of rail services in the county. The South Pembrokeshire Rail Action Group recently criticised Transport for Wales for rejecting calls to extend the Welsh Concessionary Travel Card to local train services between Pembroke Dock and Carmarthen, a move they say would improve access and affordability for older and disabled residents.

Commenting, Samuel Kurtz MS said:

“It’s incredibly frustrating to see Transport for Wales performing so poorly, especially when communities across South Pembrokeshire rely so heavily on public transport to stay connected.

“As someone who has consistently campaigned for better rail and bus services, including through my work with the South Pembrokeshire Rail Action Group, I know just how vital reliable and affordable train links are for people in our rural communities. They’re not a luxury; they’re essential for accessing work, education, and healthcare.

“Despite this, under Labour’s management, passengers are being consistently let down. It’s time for Labour to take responsibility and deliver a transport network that truly serves everyone in Wales, one that connects, rather than isolates, Pembrokeshire communities. I'll keep fighting for that."

Last month, Mr Kurtz brought together the Cabinet Secretary for Transport Ken Skates and representatives from SPRAG to discuss much-needed improvements to the Pembroke Dock to Whitland line, one he describes as “one of the worst performing lines in Wales.”

The knowledge of the South Pembrokeshire Rail Action Group members shone through, underlining their deep commitment to restoring an hourly service and their passion for ensuring that Pembrokeshire is not left behind when it comes to rail investment and connectivity.

Paul Davies MS agrees.

“Unreliable rail services have been an issue for many people living in Pembrokeshire for years. I’m regularly contacted by residents who have struggled when services have been cancelled or stopped at Carmarthen, and Transport for Wales need to provide better services for communities in west Wales.

“Poor performance undermines people’s confidence in the service and leads to people choosing other forms of transport when travelling. Many people want to travel by public transport but are put off by the unreliability of services.

“I’ll keep raising this issue at the Senedd and urge the Welsh Government to drive improvements - so that communities in west Wales are better connected and people are able to confidently travel by rail in the future.”