Train times across Wales and the borders are set to change this Sunday, December 15, Transport for Wales has confirmed. Rail passengers are being urged to check their journeys carefully before they travel due to the changes set to take place over the weekend.
Transport for Wales has described it “as the most significant timetable change in decades”. The timing of nearly every service across the South Wales Mainline, the Marches Line between Newport and Shrewsbury, and on other routes across the Wales and Borders network are set to change. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter.
According to Transport for Wales, it aims to “bring more consistency for passengers”, with trains departing at the same time past the hour and from the same platforms. The transport service added that the timetable changes have taken four years to develop and will see increases in the number of services on some routes and later evening services from Swansea and Cardiff.
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Key changes to the new timetable include:
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Significantly more stops at Pontyclun, Llanharan and Pencoed – increase in total daily services from 38 per day to 59, which is a 55% increase.
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Increase in Swanline services during peak hours to one train per hour (Baglan, Briton Ferry, Skewen and Llansamlet).
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Introduction of brand new Class 756 trains on the Core Valley Lines (starting November) and dedicated active travel trains with extra bike spaces, a full refit and a dedicated livery for the Heart of Wales line.
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The North Wales Branches will continue to have 100% of journeys on new fleet and the North Wales Mainline with over 80% of journeys on new fleet. Overall, over 87% of journeys will be on new fleet for north Wales services from December 2024 timetable.
Ahead of the changes,Transport for Wales’ planning and performance director Colin Lea said: “This is the most significant timetable change in a generation for mainline services. We’ve invested £800 million in new trains and now is the time to really make the most of them.
“We’ve been working towards this timetable for four years and the consistency it will deliver will be a massive improvement for many customers. While this is a major change, there are also big improvements planned for the North Wales Coast and Cambrian lines in the next 18 months with newer trains and capacity improvements.”
Nick Millington, Network Rail Route Director for Wales & Borders, added: “This timetable change is going to be significant with faster journeys, more frequent train services and more seats across our network. Our passengers depend on services to get them to where they need to go and these changes are all part of building a better, more reliable, and sustainable railway as we work in partnership with Transport for Wales to deliver the best for Wales & Borders.”
To check out how your journey will be affected by the changes, you can visit the Transport for Wales website here. On the site, you can enter your journey details for a date after Sunday, December 15.