New electric trains on services in South Wales
New electric trains are now being used on Transport for Wales services between Coryton, Caerphilly and Penarth.
New electric trains are now being used on Transport for Wales services between Coryton, Caerphilly and Penarth.
An additional five new tri-mode Class 756 trains, will join the fleet that are already on the Merthyr, Aberdare and Treherbert lines, taking the total of new electric trains in service daily to 19 (with 24 in the total fleet).
The Welsh Government says this is part of their £800m investment in new trains.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates said:
“I am delighted that we are introducing more brand-new electric trains on the Core Valleys Lines to deliver Better Transport for Wales.
“The Class 756 state-of-the-art trains are transforming travel for passengers with faster and more frequent services as well as greater capacity, comfort, and improved accessibility.
“This is another significant milestone on our mission to upgrade the Core Valley Lines and deliver a turn-up-and go metro service.”
TfW planning and performance director Colin Lea said:
“In June last year we developed a new timetable to get the best out of our brand-new trains, which after a few tweaks was a success.
“Customers will now benefit from these changes with more capacity and reliability, level boarding and a better overall experience, as well as an hourly Sunday service from December.”
The new trains, which are said to provide 50% more capacity and improved accessibility, are being introduced after a trial on the Coryton line earlier this year.
The line will also have a Sunday service, for the first time, from December.