New rail timetable to deliver better Sunday services

WEEKEND train travel across Wales is set to be transformed from next month thanks to a new timetable that will see almost 200 new Sunday services provided to rail passengers.

Transport for Wales (TfW) has announced changes which will see a 40% increase in services across the country, something that they say will pave the way for the creation of a “truly seven-day railway”.

The new timetable will see the number of Sunday trains between Cardiff and Swansea increase by more than 100%, additional services along the North Wales coast and on valley lines, and a Sunday train to Maesteg for the very first time.

In total, 186 Sunday services will be available to passengers across Wales, something that TfW says will boost the economy and provide essential links between the country’s cities, town and villages.

These sentiments are echoed by Welsh Minister for economy and transport Ken Skates, who believes the improvements will create opportunities across the board.

“Transport is fundamental to the success of our economy in Wales and this dramatic increase in the number of Sunday services will increase connectivity between our cities, towns and villages,” said Mr Skates.

“These services will improve access for social, recreational and educational opportunities, as well as employment opportunities. Later services will also increase options for people attending late night events across the country.”

What the improvements will mean for passengers on Sundays:

■ A new Cardiff Central to Maesteg service;

■ An enhanced Barry Island service;

■ More and later trains between Cardiff Queen Street and Cardiff Bay;

■ Seven extra services between Rhymney and Cardiff and 29 extra services to and from Caerphilly;

■ An hourly service between Treherbert and Cardiff;

■ More than doubling the number of services between Cardiff Central and Swansea from 14 to 29;

■ Services from Cardiff to Gloucester will start two hours earlier than last year;

■ Five services in each direction between Pwllheli and Machynlleth;

■ 21 services between Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury as opposed to 16;

■ 32 brand new services between Llandudno and Llandudno Junction;

■ A new Llandudno Junction to Blaenau Ffestiniog service.

James Price, chief executive of TfW, said: “This significant increase in Sunday services is an important commitment that we made when we launched our new rail service over a year ago, and follows the successful launch of our May 2019 timetable, where we introduced direct services between Liverpool and Wrexham for the first time in decades.

“We hope that our customers and potential customers will welcome these services as an important step in building a transport network that the people of Wales can be truly proud of.”

The news of extra Sunday services comes after TfW announced increased capacity trains for weekday services in December, which will include more four-carriage trains on valley lines and more modern trains on routes between Maesteg and Cheltenham, Cardiff and Ebbw Vale, and North Wales and Manchester.