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The electrification of the South Wales Metro is nearing completion, with 99% of the network now upgraded, raising hopes that long queues after major events in Cardiff could soon be a thing of the past. Recently, tri-mode trains capable of switching between electric, battery, and diesel power have been introduced on the Rhymney Valley Line. The final section awaiting electrification, the Cardiff Bay area, is expected to be completed by early 2026.
Transport for Wales (TfW) anticipates that these new trains will boost capacity and significantly cut waiting times at Cardiff Central station, which often experiences heavy crowding after large gatherings such as rugby internationals or concerts featuring artists like Oasis and Taylor Swift. Dan Tipper, TfW’s chief infrastructure officer, emphasized the advantage of increased frequency and capacity, stating, “The new trains are significantly increasing capacity over what we’ve had previously, and that means that we can move more people more frequently.” He added that the improved system will better manage the flow of passengers from the city centre, improving queuing conditions considerably.
The improvements come after extended disruptions caused by electrification work, which affected daily commutes for many passengers. Karen Jones, a former commuter from Merthyr Tydfil, shared how the delays forced her to leave her job in Cardiff because the journey, which should have taken 25 minutes, sometimes stretched to two and a half hours. Similarly, Rhys Lewis from Rhymney described dealing with canceled morning trains as “a nightmare,” and expressed frustration over the limited late-night services that force costly taxi journeys home. On a more positive note, Alex Bailey from the Rhondda Valley praised the upgrades, saying the new trains are more frequent, reliable, and overall a solid investment.
Despite the progress, passenger numbers on the valleys lines remain below pre-pandemic levels, partly due to remote working trends. Transport journalist Rhodri Clark acknowledged advancements in Wales but expressed disappointment that tri-mode trains still rely on diesel engines. He remarked, “These things are a bit of a double-edged sword, because while it’s great to see this technology, the diesel equipment, the extra weight of diesel that we’re carrying around on these trains would be totally unnecessary if we had a more rational approach to electrification in the UK and all of those lines were electrified at the same time.”
Wales faces ongoing debates over rail infrastructure funding, with Plaid Cymru arguing the region is underfunded by billions linked to the HS2 project’s England and Wales designation. The UK government recently committed £300 million towards five new stations around Cardiff and Newport between 2026 and 2030, alongside other capacity improvements, including £48 million earmarked for the South Wales Metro. The Welsh government continues to push for additional electrification but is cautious about devolving control over major lines such as the Great Western route to England, instead advocating for fairer funding arrangements within the UK framework. Minister for delivery Julie James emphasized the importance of maintaining seamless rail connections to London, underscoring her preference to work within the UK structure rather than pursuing separation.
Looking ahead, once tri-mode trains are fully operational on the Rhymney Valley line, TfW plans to roll out new trains on the Ebbw Vale, Cheltenham, and Maesteg routes, continuing the network’s modernisation and improving connectivity across the region
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