**Welsh Rail Passengers Urged to Prepare for Major Timetable Overhaul and New Trains**
Rail commuters across Wales are being encouraged to check their travel schedules as Transport for Wales prepares to introduce widespread changes to its timetable this Sunday, 18 May. The revisions will coincide with the launch of a modern fleet, with new trains set to operate an estimated 70% of rail services throughout Wales and the Borders.
These sweeping changes follow a significant £800 million investment from the Welsh Government, aimed at revitalising the rail network for a future focused on efficiency, sustainability, and accessibility. The new trains, part of a major upgrade, are expected to provide faster journey times, lower emissions, and enhanced comfort for all passengers.
Colin Lea, the Planning and Performance Director at Transport for Wales, highlighted the broad impact of the overhaul. “We’re delighted to introduce a series of incremental changes across our services that, while small in isolation, collectively promise a substantial improvement to our customers’ experience,” he stated. Lea further urged travellers to pay close attention to the updated timetable, advising: “Even regular passengers should take a moment to verify their usual train times to avoid unexpected surprises next week.”
Among the headline changes, several evening services along the Marches line will see added and retimed journeys. Notably, a 23:15 service from Cardiff to Abergavenny will run Monday to Friday, with a 22:15 Cardiff to Hereford service operating on Saturdays. Additionally, the existing 20:55 Cardiff to Chester train will move to a later 21:22 departure, while other late-night connections to Hereford and Shrewsbury will be adjusted for better links at Newport.
Residents and visitors making use of the Cambrian Line will welcome a new 16:30 service from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth. The Sunday timetable also receives a boost, with additional trains planned for popular leisure routes on the Cambrian mainline, the North Wales Coast, and West Wales—easing travel during peak holiday times.
There are location-specific updates as well. From next week, all journeys between North Wales and Manchester will include a stop at Earlestown. In Pembrokeshire, passengers travelling between Carmarthen and Tenby will see two new midday services during the week and on Saturdays.
Commuters travelling through Cardiff and the Valleys will experience revised schedules for early morning services from Coryton and Caerphilly, improving onward connections to east-bound mainline trains at Cardiff Central. As part of ongoing maintenance and improvement works, some late evening journeys between Rhymney and Caerphilly will run as rail replacement buses from Monday to Thursday, with this substitution expected to continue sporadically until late autumn.
Several structural upgrades accompany the timetable shake-up. Notably, Aberdare station will open a long-awaited second platform, designated for arriving services only, situated opposite Sobell Leisure Centre. Departures towards Cardiff will continue from Platform 1, with the enhanced layout supporting a future increase to four trains per hour once the South Wales Metro project reaches completion. However, passengers should note that Ynyswen station will remain closed for the time being.
To promote seamless travel, Transport for Wales is also rolling out new integrated ticket options. Passengers can now purchase tickets that combine train services with the T6 Swansea-Brecon and T10 Bangor-Corwen bus routes, simplifying multi-modal journeys to towns such as Ystradgynlais, Brecon, Capel Curig, and Corwen.
In light of these significant changes, rail users are strongly advised to consult the updated schedules available on the Transport for Wales website or mobile app before their next journey. By doing so, travellers can avoid inadvertent disruption and make the most of the improved connectivity and comfort promised by the new trains.
For questions related to ticket amendments or refunds, detailed guidance is provided via the company’s website. Transport for Wales encourages all passengers to familiarise themselves with the changes to ensure a smooth transition as the new service patterns come into effect.