Vandals are causing thousands of pounds worth of damage to ticket vending machines across the rail network in Wales.
Transport for Wales, which operates the Wales & Borders rail franchise, has called on the public to report any instances of vandalism they witness to the British Transport Police. The Welsh Government’s transport company, which took over running of the franchise from KeolisAmey last year and whose services also include cross-border routes into England, said that cost of repair to damaged machines since September 2020, has been more than £64,000.
Vending machines at 24 separate locations have been damaged. It said the worst affected train station is Pencoed in Bridgend, where six separate vandalism incidents have been reported. Machines have also been damaged at Barry Docks, Gilfach Fargoed, Garth and Cwmbach stations.
