Transport for Wales (TfW) is entering the final stages of preparation ahead of the introduction of its first brand‑new tram‑trains on Pontypridd to Cardiff Bay services this summer.
Training for traincrew is well under way, with test runs taking place most days.
TfW continues work to install nine new toilet facilities as well as five refurbished toilet facilities across the Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr lines, helping ensure customers have access to toilets when the tram-trains are rolled out.
The South Wales Metro aims to improve connections between Cardiff and the Valleys, with more frequent and faster journeys. TfW’s new fleet of fully electric tram-trains are key to delivering this ambitious Metro timetable.
The improved performance of the new trains, combined with the improvements TfW made to the infrastructure, will reduce journey times to around 50 minutes between Cardiff and Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr, with a train every 15 minutes. These changes will be delivered gradually in phases.
Tram-trains will also allow TfW’s network to be expanded, as they’re able to run on light-rail tram lines in the future, as part of the Cardiff Crossrail project. This will allow even more communities to access vital rail services.
The tram-trains are designed for Metro style hop-on-hop-off journeys, with level boarding from train to platform, three open and spacious carriages and improved spaces on board for wheelchairs and bikes.
The first of the 36 new tram-trains will be introduced onto Pontypridd to Cardiff Bay services this summer, replacing the older Class 150 trains that currently run on these services.
Dan Tipper, Chief Infrastructure Officer at TfW said: “Our teams are working extremely hard as we move into the final stages ahead of introducing our first tram‑trains into service. With driver and train manager training nearing completion and testing taking place most days, we’re making strong progress towards launching these services.
“The tram‑trains are central to delivering the faster, more frequent journeys promised by the South Wales Metro and, alongside pay as you go, will support a true turn‑up‑and‑go service for communities across the Valleys.”
