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Wales Online
15-05-2025
- Wales Online
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). Article continues below 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. Article continues below 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.
Leader Live
14-05-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Transport for Wales announces new trains on busiest services
Under the latest timetable change, which comes into effect on Sunday, May 18, 70 per cent of all routes will be operated on new trains, according to TfW. The new timetable affects all Wales and Borders routes and passengers are being encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new schedule so as not to get caught out. This summer will also see the Penarth and Coryton lines operated by new trains. Colin Lea, planning and performance director at Transport for Wales, said: "We're pleased to be delivering a number of small but important changes across our network that we think will make a big difference for customers. "Some later services on busy routes, longer trains in the summer to holiday destinations, and the continued rollout of brand-new trains as part of an £800 million investment by the Welsh Government are among the key highlights. "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. "The same applies to those making connections as other operators may also be making changes that could affect your journey." READ MORE: Also from May 18 combined tickets for the T6 - Swansea to Brecon - and T10 - Bangor to Corwen bus routes will also be available, allowing passengers to travel to and from Ystradgynlais or Brecon using a connected rail ticket with stops at Neath. Similarly, those on the Bangor to Corwen T10 route will be able to travel from Capel Curig and Corwen using a combined ticket with connections at Bangor. New integrated routes From May 18, customers can purchase combined rail and T6, as well as rail and T10 tickets through TfW retail channels. This will allow seamless travel between these routes and the rail network.
Powys County Times
12-05-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
70 per cent of rail services to be aboard new trains
SEVENTY per cent of all Transport for Wales services will operate with new trains following timetable changes coming into effect later this month. Brand new Class 756 tri-mode trains will also be introduced onto the Coryton and Penarth lines later this summer, further increasing the number of new trains providing services on the Wales and Borders network. Rail customers across Wales and the Borders are being urged to check their journey details prior to travel with a new rail timetable coming into effect on Sunday, May 18. Regular travellers who are used to catching their service at the same time each day should ensure they know what the changes will mean for them. OTHER NEWS: Transport for Wales' planning and performance director Colin Lea said: 'We're pleased to be delivering a number of small but important changes across our network that we think will make a big difference for customers. 'Some later services on busy routes, longer trains in the summer to holiday destinations and the continued roll out of brand-new trains as part of an £800 million investment by the Welsh Government are among the key highlights. '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. The same applies to those making connections as other operators may also be making changes that could affect your journey.' From May 18 customers will be able to purchase a combined rail and T6 and rail and T10 tickets through TfW retail channels. T6 (Swansea to Brecon) customers will be able to travel to/from Ystradgynlais or Brecon using a combined ticket with connections at Neath. T10 (Bangor to Corwen) customers will be able to travel to/from Capel Curig or Corwen using a combined ticket with connections at Bangor. Elsewhere, on May 18, a new second platform will open at Aberdare station, located just south of the main station and conveniently opposite the Sobell Leisure Centre. This will enable more services to run on the Aberdare line once the South Wales Metro is complete.
