There is a new direct service between South Wales and the West country thanks to GWR.

The train operator will from Monday 20th December be putting on a new service between Cardiff and Taunton to Penzance, allowing direct access between the cities.

The route between Taunton and Plymouth will see nearly an extra 700 seats every day, whilst the trains from Cardiff to Taunton will merge with the current Cornish mainline routes between Plymouth and Penzance.

These new trains are part of GWR’s major timetable improvements plan. Other improvements include:

• Severn Beach line – first MetroWest trains for Bristol increased to half-hourly
• Cardiff and London Paddington – reintroduce half hourly service from 20th December (18 extra trains)
• Cardiff and London Paddington – introduce all-electric Class 387 services – extra capacity with low carbon
  • Will start with a weekend service, along with an early morning weekday service
  • Extra capacity of up to 12 carriages for Principality Stadium events

These improvements allow for thousands of extra seats and there are plans for new stations too through the MetroWest initiative backed by the West of England Combined Authority.

GWR branch lines in London and the Thames Valley will also see the number of trains increased to pre pandemic levels from January 2022.

• Three trains an hour will return between Slough and Windsor
• Greenford branch line – return to a half-hourly service
• Twyford and Henley – return to a half-hourly service
• Didcot and Paddington – Local services return to a full half-hourly service off peak

GWR is encouraging all passengers to travel safely in line with Government advice. Please remember to wear a face covering, wash hands more regularly, and if you can buy tickets online, with a smart card, or use the GWR app.

GWR Managing Director Mark Hopwood said: “Good rail services are key to economic recovery and to decarbonisation. We believe that this new timetable, better linking services in Devon will provide our communities with the help and support they need as together we rebuild and renew for the future.”