Local pensioners can now travel for free on the Conwy Valley rail line between Blaenau Ffestiniog to Llandudno Junction in north Wales.

The move was welcomed by Llandudno & Conwy Valley Railway Society chairman John Hillman.

The pilot free travel scheme for concessionary travel pass holders on the Conwy Valley began on 20 May 2007. A similar scheme also operates on the Heart of Wales line. Both schemes will run for 12 months.

Cerdyn Cymru concessionary pass holders who are residents of Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Powys can travel free on the Heart of Wales line between Swansea and Shrewsbury via Llandrindod Wells.

Concessionary pass holders resident in Conwy and Gwynedd can travel free on the Conwy Valley line between Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog.

The Heart of Wales Line scheme will also allow a half-fare discount on other Arriva Trains Wales services between Swansea and Llanelli and the Conwy Valley scheme will allow free travel for concessionary pass holders between Llandudno Junction and Llandudno on all Arriva Trains Wales services.

The scheme has been made possible with funding from the Welsh Assembly Government of £100,000 and funding from local authorities in the Conwy Valley Rail Initiative and the Heart of Wales Line Forum.

Half the Assembly Government funding will be used to run two-car trains on the Conwy Valley line in place of the current single-car operations in the busy summer peak periods.

The rest of the funding is being used by community rail partnerships to promote the scheme and meet Arriva Trains Wales costs for issuing tickets and analysing the ticket data. This will be necessary for the evaluation process.

The schemes will be analysed early next year to see what impact free travel has had on passengers' travel patterns and on train capacity.

A Welsh Assembly Government spokesperson said: "The Welsh Assembly Government Cerdyn Cymru Rail Scheme is an important 12-month trial scheme for free rail travel for bus pass holders on these two railway lines. The evaluation report due early 2008 will be crucial."

Larry Davies, community rail officer for the Conwy Valley Rail Initiative said: “CVRI members are absolutely delighted that this free travel concession to the Conwy Valley Line, which affords a level playing field for eligible residents in their choice of mode of travel.

“We welcome the increased capacity that the new rolling stock will allow in the busy summer period as it is from the trains that the beauty of this valley can be best appreciated. We look forward to working closely with our partners to ensure the success of this pilot scheme.”

Mike Bagshaw, commercial director, Arriva Trains Wales said: “Arriva Trains Wales is sure it will encourage more people on to our services. This has been possible thanks to our partners in the local authorities and the Welsh Assembly Government.”

More info: lcvrs

More information on the Conway Valley line Conwy

More information on the Heart of Wales line: Heart of Wales