New Valleys Metro tram trains won’t have toilets

THE metro trains coming to the Valleys won’t have any toilets – even though passengers were told they would.

Earlier this year First Minister Mark Drakeford said the new services will have “up-to-date” facilities including toilets.

But now it has been revealed that the South Wales Metro tram trains, which will run from Treherbert, Merthyr and Aberdare, will not actually have any toilets on board.

In March it was reported that the project, for which a final cost has not yet been finalised, has a £738m budget ring-fenced in the £1.2bn City Deal for the Cardiff Capital Region.

One rail passenger group said, “this important aspect of journey comfort will move backwards”.

Chairman of Railfuture Wales Peter Kingsbury said the group has concerns about the lack of toilets on the new tram trains to serve the Rhondda, Cynon and Taff valleys.

He said: “Even with the expected shorter journey times with the new services passengers travelling from north of Pontypridd can expect to be travelling for well over 30 minutes.

“On journeys of this length people are used to have access to a toilet.

“It is regrettable that despite the overall significant improvement that will occur in the experience of passengers with the arrival of the new metro this important aspect of journey comfort will move backwards.”

The confirmation comes after a plenary session earlier this year when former Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood AM asked Mark Drakeford if the new trains promised for the Valleys Lines would have toilet facilities.

At the time Mr Drakeford said: “As far as I am aware the new rolling stock will, of course, have modern and up-to-date facilities including toilet facilities, but also wi-fi, that people have a right to expect.”