WALES’S “Marxist” transport minister confirmed yesterday that she’s put the country’s railways on the track to public ownership. 

Edwina Hart announced that the Welsh government is establishing a not-for-profit company that could run routes currently operated by privateer Arriva. 

In a written statement, she said the “wholly owned subsidiary” would help to create a “more effective integrated transport system in Wales.”

The Labour minister confirmed the move after signalling on Thursday her intention to put the Wales and Borders franchise back in public hands. 

Services are now run by the German state-owned operator Arriva — but the franchise is up for renewal in 2018. 

Ms Hart had told Assembly Members: “I am determined when we go to the full issue of the franchise we’re prepared for a not-for-dividend company to be established. 

“I think that’s popular in terms of people’s perceptions.”

Ms Hart, who has previously enraged rightwingers by calling capitalism “regrettable” and revealing she subscribes to the Morning Star, was slammed as a “Marxist” by Welsh Tories. 

In a tantrum over the move, Tory transport spokesman Byron Davies said it was another example of “Labour’s ideological aversion to the private sector.”

But rail expert Professor Paul Salveson dismissed the accusation as “nonsense politics” yesterday. 

He told the Star: “The majority of people across the UK would be quite happy to see the railways going back to public ownership. 

“This is an intelligent, pragmatic approach to resolving real issues. 

“It will be good for passengers and employees across Wales and the Borders.”

Prof Salveson penned the 2012 “A People’s Railway for Wales” paper on behalf of train drivers’ union Aslef and the Co-operative Party. 

It called for passengers and workers to have a direct financial stake in a mutually run railway. 

Ms Hart’s proposals would instead establish a nationally owned company guided by a panel of “high-level industry experts.”

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said it was a “potentially positive” step towards public ownership. 

Although he cautioned: “No-one should underestimate the spivs from the private sector and their ability to duck and dive around the franchising process. 

“The only sustainable and cast-iron answer is full renationalisation of the entire rail network.”