Rail passengers warned of big changes to timetables as 70% of services in Wales to use new trains
Rail passengers warned of big changes to timetables as 70% of services in Wales to use new trains
'We're pleased to be delivering many small but important changes across our network that we think will make a big difference for customers'
Timetable changes are coming within days for Welsh passengers
(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne )
Commuters across Wales are being warned to double-check their travel plans as a new rail timetable will come into effect this Sunday, May 18. Transport for Wales (TfW) has announced that, following these changes, a significant 70% of its services will be operated by new trains.
The Welsh Government has invested £800 million in brand new trains for Transport for Wales. It's hoped it will mean faster, greener, and more accessible rail services across the Wales and Borders network.
Colin Lea, TfW's planning and performance director, emphasised the impact of the changes, stating: "We're pleased to be delivering many small but important changes across our network that we think will make a big difference for customers."
He also issued an important reminder to passengers: "It's always important to check your journey details, even if it's a train you catch day in, day out, so please don't get caught out.'
A summary of the most significant timetable changes taking place from May 18 includes:
Evening services on the Marches
Additional late evening service 23:15 Cardiff - Abergavenny (Monday - Friday).
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Additional late evening service 22:15 Cardiff - Hereford (Saturday).
The 20:55 Cardiff to Chester will be retimed to start later at 21:22.
Late evening trains between Cardiff and Hereford / Shrewsbury will be retimed to provide better connections in Newport.
Cambrian line
A new 16:30 Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth service will be added.
Sunday services
Extra train services will be added on Sundays on the busy holiday routes - Cambrian mainline, North Wales Coast, and West Wales.
Earlestown
All North Wales - Manchester services will call at Earlestown.
Tenby services
Two new services in the middle of the day between Carmarthen and Tenby (Monday - Saturday).
Cardiff and Valleys services
Early morning services from Coryton and Caerphilly into Cardiff will be retimed to improve connections to east-bound mainline services at Cardiff Central.
Late evening services between Rhymney and Caerphilly (Monday - Thursday) will be rail replacement services. There will also continue to be rail replacement buses on this section of the line during selected periods until late Autumn.
Treherbert services will be departing earlier both into and out of Cardiff, and Merthyr services will be departing slightly later into and out of Cardiff.
Platform 2 at Aberdare station will open and will be used for arrivals only. Train services towards Cardiff will continue to depart from platform 1. Services will leave Aberdare slightly later.
Ynyswen station will remain closed.
For residents of Aberdare, there's a significant update to the local station. This Sunday will see the opening of a new second platform, situated just south of the existing station and located opposite the Sobell Leisure Centre.
This new platform will initially be for arrivals only when travelling to Aberdare, while passengers departing from Aberdare towards Cardiff will continue to use the original Platform 1.
Alongside the new platform, a new track loop has been installed. This infrastructure is a step towards increasing the frequency of trains on the Aberdare line to four trains per hour once the South Wales Metro project is fully completed.
To improve connectivity, TfW is also introducing new integrated ticketing options from May 18.
Customers will now be able to purchase combined rail and T6 (Swansea to Brecon) tickets, allowing seamless travel to and from Ystradgynlais or Brecon with connections at Neath.
Similarly, a combined rail and T10 (Bangor to Corwen) ticket will be available, facilitating travel to and from Capel Curig or Corwen with connections at Bangor.
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Rail users across Wales are strongly advised to visit the Transport for Wales website or app to review the new timetable and plan their journeys accordingly to take advantage of the improvements and avoid any disruption to their travel.
For any inquiries on changing or refunding tickets, visit here.
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