RIA Cymru Manifesto 2026
The Railway Industry Association was founded in 1875 and has 450+ companies in membership. We represent businesses across the rail supply chain, covering a diverse range of products and services and including both multi-national companies and SMEs (over 60% by number) We operate across the whole of the UK, with strong presence in the devolved Nations & Regions
RIA Wales & Western (W&W) champions rail suppliers across the country of Wales, working to ensure that the industry plays a central role in Wales’s economic, environmental, and social development Our sector employs tens of thousands of people (directly and indirectly) and, we believe, is strategically important for Wales’s economy Rail in Wales supports 22,800 jobs, contributes £1bn in GVA, and delivers £0 3bn in tax revenue to the economy. *
The RIA W&W Leadership Group works closely with the Welsh Government, Transport for Wales, Network Rail, and Members of the Senedd (MSs) to represent suppliers’ interests This Manifesto brings together RIA W&W’s key policy recommendations ahead of the May 2026 Senedd elections We look forward to working with MSs across all parties after 7 May to deliver a better railway for Wales. As the industry heads towards rail reform, we are also on hand to help politicians and stakeholders navigate the new landscape.
Rail is good for Wales
Train travel in Wales has increased by a fifth from 2023/24 to 2024/25; and revenues increased by 17 8% in the same time period
Rail investment is delivering social value for Welsh people – for example, the Craidd Alliance has delivered over 127 weeks of work experience for local people; engaged with over 1,500 children and young people; and contributed to over 80 community projects
The innovative Pay as You Go (PAYG) system implemented across South East Wales has now seen over two million journeys, making it easier and cheaper for people to travel.
Advancements on the Welsh railways, such as discontinuous electrification and the integration of track and train, have positioned Wales as a leader in the UK rail industry in recent years.
What rail offers:
22,800 jobs
£1 billion GVA across the country
£0.3 billion to Wales’s economy per annum
in tax revenue each year
Wages are 126% higher in rail than the national avg.
*Figures
1. Continue support of ongoing projects across Wales
2. Commit to developing vital railway skills
3. Continue to decarbonise and improve climate resilience
Zonesmodelcanhelptobringinthird partyinvestmentforstationsand surroundingareas
RIAW&WcallsforthenextWelsh Governmenttocontinuetheworkof theCJCs,andworkwiththemto ensurethatinvestmentsintransport schemesdeliverforWelshpeople.
5. Commit to a transparent onward pipeline of rail work and continue the work of the Wales Rail Board
TheUKGovernmenthasrecently committedtogivingadefault‘yes’to proposedhousingdevelopmentsnear stations,giventheymeetcertaincriteria –RIAW&WcallsforthenextWelsh Governmenttotakethesameaction, tohelpmeettheurgenthousingneeds oftheWelshpopulation,andtodrive economicgrowth.
Contact
For more information, please contact RIA Wales & Western Business Engagement Manager Isabella Lawson at isabella.lawson@riagb.org.uk.
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