New tram-trains set to revolutionise transport in south Wales
New tram-trains that will revolutionise transport in south Wales are now in their final phase of testing before being introduced into service on some of the Core Valleys Lines this spring.
The Class 398 Tram-Trains, which are part of the Welsh Government’s £800 million investment into brand-new trains across Wales and the Borders, have the unique ability to run on both rail and tram lines, offering more frequent and faster journeys, level boarding, modern air conditioning, power sockets, improved passenger information screens and multi-use areas for bikes and wheelchairs.
The 36 brand-new trains will run on the Merthyr, Aberdare and Treherbert lines, travelling to Cardiff and Cardiff Bay.
Speaking at a visit to the Taffs Well depot, where the new tram-trains will be housed, First Minister, Eluned Morgan said: “Improving transport across Wales is one of my top priorities – investing in high quality transport, which is more reliable, more convenient and more enjoyable to use.
“I am delighted that passengers are now experiencing the significant benefits of our investment in the South Wales Metro with improved services, brand-new trains and better facilities both on and off the track.
“And with the arrival of the new tram-trains in the spring it’s an exciting time for transport in Wales.”
Cabinet Secretary for Transport and north Wales, Ken Skates, added: “The future for rail in Wales is bright – modern trains, faster and more regular services and now revolutionary tram-trains coming down the track – our vision of creating a transport system that is sustainable, accessible, efficient, and meets the needs of all our communities is now becoming a reality.
“But we’re not stopping there, from May services across the north Wales mainline will be increased by 50%, with a 100% increase in train services between Wrexham and Chester and the rollout of Pay as You Go technology in North Wales this year too.”
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I think these so called “tram trains” will be a disaster. TFW staff are on record saying that they are dreading their introduction. This is all due to lack of toilets on board which will make them absolutely disgusting on a Friday or Saturday. They are also excluding a large number of people from using public transport because they require access to a toilet e.g. disabled people, the elderly, people with young children. TFW have said they are building toilets on some platforms but I bet you anything that they won’t be ready by the new trains introduction. Before anyone… Read more »
Couldn’t agree more. One of the oddest things I’ve ever seen. Nightmare for parents, elderly, disabled etc, not to mention the weekend pub goers.
Also, on a match day they will be absolutely vile. Hundreds of people, who’ve had to queue for ages to get in the station will have to hold in 10 pints for an hour’s journey home to Merthyr. God help the cleaners I say.
Just hop off for a pee at Ponty then get the next one.
And try to use the toilet that always closed in the evening. I had to go to Spoons and blag my way in, past the doorman
The upgrade hasn’t happened yet. A recent consultation from TfW suggested they’ll be open until the last train.
Chosen by those who would not have a clue as to what you are talking about…
I’m guessing you don’t use trains very often. No-one plans a journey on an assumption that there will be a toilet onboard, that it will be operational, or that they’ll even be able to get to it through the huge number of people in the way.
And TfL don’t have toilets at every station:
https://content.tfl.gov.uk/toilets-map.pdf
I do use trains often, at least 2 to 3 times a week.
I didn’t say that TFL has toilets at every station but that the gaps between stations are lot smaller, usually less than 5 minutes.
The nature of London is also that where ever you are in London, you will usually be able to find a toilet relatively easy, whereas in the Valleys, some stations are not really near anything.
This could be easily rectified if they put toilets at every station along the Merthyr, Aberdare and Treherbert Lines.
The gaps between stations in London is irrelevant if they don’t have toilets. In fact having stations every 5 minutes slows down the journey to a station with toilets. Toilets at every station isn’t the answer because at unmanned stations with a single facility they’ll be even less reliably available than onboard facilities. They just need to be reliably available at regular intervals so people can plan their journey in confidence. This is no different to people who drive, go by taxi, use buses or walk or cycle. Or even fly when toilets are locked out of use for extended… Read more »
So it’s just for Cardiff then?
It’s for anywhere the tram-trains operate. Below I gave an example of a loop through Merthyr but there are plenty of towns and villages across the metro that could be added. And because these are light rail projects it should be possible for councils to make it happen just as they do for small road projects.
There’s a lot wrong here, especially the belief that stations on the South Wales Metro are “25 minutes apart”! That’s nonsense. In all seriousness, I have significant bladder control issues and I’m not worried about these tram trains, I use the 756s now and I still haven’t needed the onboard loo during a journey. The maximum journey is less than an hour, most people drive for 2-4 hours without stopping for a break at the services even if they have children travelling with them so I don’t see why travelling by metro train is any different. And as for Friday… Read more »
Buses don’t have toilets. Neither do bus stops.
These trams are two years late and £200million over budget, Transport for Wales did not need to electrify the Valley Lines, but could have replaced the old rolling stock with new standardised trains for use on all routes in Wales as was done in Northern Ireland. Could have been done for a quarter of the cost.
I don’t necessarily agree with your point on electrification, I think that is the future of rail travel, but they could of ordered more class 756s, which are battery, electric and diesel for a lower cost and they could have been in service already.
I think the only reason they ordered these trams is so they will work on the extension between Cardiff Central and Cardiff Bay, which is the only place on the network where they will not be running on standard train tracks.
That link is the test of tram capabilities. There’s huge potential to extend and spur across the network, such as a loop through Merthyr town centre.
VIP lane…
There’s no space to store more 756s.
TFW have already opened a new depot in Barry to accommodate some new trains but that was the best they could do.
The 398s were partly chosen because they allowed them to use land at Taffs Well for a depot that would be unsuitable for other trains – no other land near the railway line was available to use.
Everything was two years late because of a global pandemic. Everything cost more than expected because of the cost of Cons crisis. Look at the plan to redecorate Westminster which has just jumped from £24bn to £40bn.
Most new trains in the UK are delayed into service even if new infrastructure isn’t needed to support them. EMR have been waiting three years for diesel hybrid units that run on the main line. This is a significantly more complex project but the eventual speed and capacity improvements will be revolutionary.
Must be an election coming, an article from a well known transport writer today as well singing TfW praises, who is on record as a Labour campaigner. Morgan trying to laud a train upgrade that does not meet the needs of a lot of Welsh rail users, over cost and over time.
South Wales again. How about some investment in rural West Wales where villages have no gas and they’re telling us to get rid of woodburners…oh, and public transport has been withdrawal.
Presumably these’ll start off as a 24hr shuttle between Ponty and the bay.
The 800 Million investment should have been spent on our roads!!, It was proven many years ago that people don’t want trains. That’s why Beeching closed down what must have been one of the most expansive rail networks in the world. Trains work for heavy goods but are not flexible enough for people living in a 21st century society. why do the idiots in the Welsh Government want to take us back to the dark ages.
Lucky you’re not in charge. One train can hold a thousand people. How much space would a thousand cars need?
The noticeable point her is the phrase in South Wales.
Article: “But we’re not stopping there, from May services across the north Wales mainline will be increased by 50%, with a 100% increase in train services between Wrexham and Chester and the rollout of Pay as You Go technology in North Wales this year too”