| New timetables - Transport for Wales - from 15th December 2024 Posted by grahame at 20:00, 20th November 2024 |      |
A major rail timetable change will see train times change significantly in December, allowing for increased services at some stations, later services from Cardiff Central and Swansea, trains leaving at the same time past each hour and more new trains.
The changes are possible because of the enhanced capabilities of the brand-new Class 197 train fleet which has been replacing older trains over the last two years.
It has been described as the “most significant mainline timetable change in a generation” and has taken four years to develop.
The changes are possible because of the enhanced capabilities of the brand-new Class 197 train fleet which has been replacing older trains over the last two years.
It has been described as the “most significant mainline timetable change in a generation” and has taken four years to develop.
It's a Press release from Transport for Wales so you would expect it to go big on the improvements
Some key changes within the new timetable include:
Significantly more stops at Pontyclun, Llanharan and Pencoed – increase in total daily services from 38 per day to 59. A 55% increase.
Increase in Swanline services during peak hours to 1 train per hour (Baglan, Briton Ferry, Skewen and Llansamlet).
Two extra Milford Haven services and a more evenly spaced service to Fishguard Harbour which removes a six-hour gap without trains during the middle of the day.
The last train from Cardiff to Maesteg via Bridgend is now later - at 11:24pm.
Later last train from Swansea to Cardiff leaving at 11:30pm Monday to Friday.
More consistent departures with more trains leaving at the same time past each hour.
Maesteg services towards Cardiff will now run through to Ebbw Vale, rather than Cheltenham Spa.
Cheltenham Spa services will start and end at Cardiff Central.
Instigation of the changes brought about by the Strategic Timetable Review on the Cambrian and Heart of Wales lines.
Introduction of brand new Class 756 trains on the Core Valley Lines (starting November) and dedicated active travel trains with extra bike spaces, a full refit and a dedicated livery for the Heart of Wales line.
Some changes to the calling pattern on certain services between Cardiff and Manchester Piccadilly, to speed up some trains and deliver a standard pattern in the timetable.
Some local services between West Wales and Cardiff will now use Platform 0 at Cardiff Central.
The North Wales Branches will continue to have 100% of journeys on new fleet and the North Wales Mainline with over 80% of journeys on new fleet. Overall, over 87% of journeys will be on new fleet for North Wales services from December 2024 timetable.
Significantly more stops at Pontyclun, Llanharan and Pencoed – increase in total daily services from 38 per day to 59. A 55% increase.
Increase in Swanline services during peak hours to 1 train per hour (Baglan, Briton Ferry, Skewen and Llansamlet).
Two extra Milford Haven services and a more evenly spaced service to Fishguard Harbour which removes a six-hour gap without trains during the middle of the day.
The last train from Cardiff to Maesteg via Bridgend is now later - at 11:24pm.
Later last train from Swansea to Cardiff leaving at 11:30pm Monday to Friday.
More consistent departures with more trains leaving at the same time past each hour.
Maesteg services towards Cardiff will now run through to Ebbw Vale, rather than Cheltenham Spa.
Cheltenham Spa services will start and end at Cardiff Central.
Instigation of the changes brought about by the Strategic Timetable Review on the Cambrian and Heart of Wales lines.
Introduction of brand new Class 756 trains on the Core Valley Lines (starting November) and dedicated active travel trains with extra bike spaces, a full refit and a dedicated livery for the Heart of Wales line.
Some changes to the calling pattern on certain services between Cardiff and Manchester Piccadilly, to speed up some trains and deliver a standard pattern in the timetable.
Some local services between West Wales and Cardiff will now use Platform 0 at Cardiff Central.
The North Wales Branches will continue to have 100% of journeys on new fleet and the North Wales Mainline with over 80% of journeys on new fleet. Overall, over 87% of journeys will be on new fleet for North Wales services from December 2024 timetable.
IMHO - some good changes there:
* Clockfaces and more on the Swanline which has needed gaps filled
* Later last trains
some making a mountain out of a molehill:
* How many people remain on the train from Maesteg when it arrives in Cardiff, and want to go onwards towards Ebbw Vale?
* Why is an arrival at Platform 0 in Cardiff an improvement
and some places where brave words are put on reductions
* Instigation of the changes brought about by the Strategic Timetable Review
Noting changes at Fishguard Harbour. How far will arrivals from Dublin via Rosslare be able to get?
