Today a very exciting project has been officially launched – Wales on Rails – promote travel around Wales sustainably using the national rail network, heritage railways and buses.
Wales on Rails – Promoting Public Transport in Wales
The whole idea behind the Wales on Rails project is to promote visiting fantastic tourist attractions in Wales by using public transport. Jointly funded by Transport for Wales’ Community Rail Partnerships and Visit Wales, the initiative is being managed by Great Little Trains of Wales, a partnership promoting the 12 heritage railways in Wales and supported by 5 Community Rail Partnerships. Whilst the project is predominantly focussed on rail travel, the website does include the five main bus routes that connect the whole of Wales – the T routes.
Website – Itineraries, Attractions and Maps
The Wales on Rails website is a handy interactive website which is full of information about all the wonders of Wales which is accessible via public transport. There is a section dedicated to showcasing key attractions along the main travel routes along Wales.
By looking at the map, you can select your start point and end point and from each location you should be able to plan your own itinerary of fabulous tourist attractions to visit and great places to eat. Each station along the routes link to cards about attractions or places to eat which you can download and save to refer back to.
Alternatively you can check out some itineraries curated specially by experts who’ve travelled along the various routes. My personal favourite without a doubt is the Ffestiniog Railway route… of course! All the best places are along this route!
Ministerial Launch at Cardiff Central Station
The Wales on Rails initiative was officially launched at Cardiff Central Station on March 10th. Speaking at the event was Vaughan Gething MS (Minister for Economy and Transport for Wales), David Jones (Bala Lake Railway GM and Chair of Great Little Trains of Wales), James Price (TfW CEO) and Tim Dunn (railway historian and TV presenter).
’Wales on Rails’ brings together our Wales and Borders rail network, 12 heritage and steam
railways, and our bus routes, offering people the chance to use this sustainable transport
network to travel around the country to a range of tourist attractions.– James Price, Transport for Wales CEO
The launch was broadcasted live on Facebook a Instagram which can be rewatched anytime. I’m also told it will be uploaded to YouTube soon.
Wales has some of the most scenic railways in the world. As we start to travel more, it
would be great if people would consider visiting Wales in a sustainable way and make public
transport part of their visit or their main reason to visit Wales.– David Jones, Bala Lake Railway GM and GLToW Chair
However the takeaway message has to be from the ever enthusiastic Tim Dunn
Rediscover this gorgeous country between sea, hills, mountains and valleys, now’s the time to shout about Wales on Rails.… quite chuffing brilliant!
– Tim Dunn, railway historian and TV presenter
Make sure you check out the Wales on Rails website as it is the best resource for your visit to Wales! And check out their social media for all future announcements.
(Wales on Rails – website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / YouTube)
