Students in Cardiff say they will struggle to afford commuting to their lectures following a 4.6% increase in train fares across Wales. The price hike, announced by Transport for Wales (TfW), affects thousands of commuters, but for students who rely on trains daily, it is more than just an added cost—it is an additional financial burden.
Harry Roebuck, a Cardiff University student, is among those directly impacted. As someone who depends on the train to return home from his lectures, he is now worried about affording the tickets.
“This increase really disrupts my monthly budget. “ he said.
Beyond students, everyday commuters also feel the strain of the rising costs, questioning whether they are getting value for their money.
Matt Newheiser, who takes the train daily, criticises the state of public transport in Wales and questions why passengers are being asked to pay more.
“The train service in Wales is just bad. Trains are late all the time, and now we must pay even more. I’d rather spend less,” he said.
Yet, concerns remain over whether students are being considered in these decisions.
The Student Union at Cardiff University has expressed worries that students are being overlooked by train companies when it comes to transport policies and affordability. Micaela Panes, Vice President Post Graduate Education and Welfare officer at Cardiff University Student Union says,
I hope the Government of Wales and Transport for Wales would do a quality impacted assessment for students particularly.
Transport for Wales defends the fare increase, arguing that the additional revenue will be reinvested into improving train services. The organization says it is allocating £800 million for new trains and over £1 billion for the South Wales Metro project in an effort to modernize the railway network.