Rail users in Wales were welcomed by a new service.

Passengers up and down Wales are now greeted by Transport for Wales' (TfW) new white and red trains, taking over from Arriva Trains Wales.

Speaking about the new rail operator, Ken Skates AM said: "With investment totalling almost £5bn of over the next decade and a half, our network will be transformed.

"We have committed £800m to deliver new trains across the network, which by 2023 will see 95 per-cent of rail journeys made on new trains. A further £194m will be put to improving the passenger experiences at our stations across the Wales and Borders network.

"There is £738m earmarked to modernise the central metro lines, support the next phase of Metro and run more trains every hour. Transport for Wales rail services will offer 600 new jobs and 450 apprenticeships over the 15 year lifespan of the contract.

"Passengers will enjoy the benefits of the introduction of smart ticketing across the network, and through the extension of free travel to under-11s with half-price fares for 16 to 18 year olds, they will see economic improvements also.

"This is an exciting time for Wales, and we wish Transport for Wales every success in bringing about these transformational changes on our behalf.”

From day one all existing tickets will remain valid, including multiplex, which will be valid for the next three months.

From this week a new customer website tfwrail.wales / trctrenau.cymru and app will be launched for all information and queries.

All Arriva Trains Wales staff will also become TfW Rail Services staff, with new uniforms and TfW branding will be at stations.

For rail users in Wrexham and Flintshire, there will be an introduction of new services from May 2019 between Chester and Liverpool Lime Street, of which two services will be extended to serve Wrexham.

The frequency of Wrexham to Bidston service will be doubled by 2022 and extra services from Wrexham to Cardiff and Liverpool by 2023 along with investment at Shotton and Wrexham General stations by 2024