Transport for Wales customers are asked to keep an eye on their train journeys as they introduce an increase in train services from the 15th of May.

The increased services will come into play as the new rail timetable takes effect on Sunday the 15th of May for the Wales and Borders network. The changes will see a selection of services return across North, Mid and West Wales following their removal due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The increased services will provide a welcome boost in capacity as the summer tourist season draws closer.

The times of the majority of services will not be affected. however customers are advised to double-check departure, arrival and connection times.

Part of the essential timetable updates includes nine extra services in each direction along the North Wales Coast between Chester and Llandudno Junction and will also see the return of direct services between Llandudno and Manchester Airport, plus six additional services each way between Swansea and West Wales.

Transport for Wales (TfW) is also bringing back two extra return services between Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury, and along the Conwy Valley Line between Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Cardiff will also see the return of direct services between Coryton and Radyr, alongside the shuttle service between Cardiff Queen Street and Cardiff Bay which will bring back key connections for the city.

Colin Lea, Transport for Wales Planning and Performance Director, said:

“We are introducing more services across our network and making adjustments elsewhere from 15 May. It’s really important for customers to check their journey details ahead of travelling.

“As we welcome more customers back to our services, some trains will be busier than they have been for a while, especially in the busy holiday periods. For those customers who wish to travel on quieter services, we recommend using our Capacity Checker tool.”

Passengers travelling on a TfW service must buy a valid ticket before boarding. To check journey details or to purchase tickets please visit: https://tfw.wales

Transformation work for South Wales Metro will be ongoing throughout the summer and will include evenings and weekends as the network is quieter, customers are also being advised to check ahead of their journey to find out if their service is affected.

The new May-December period also plans to see the introduction of the first of TfW’s brand new trains for the Wales and Border network and are expected this summer.

TfW Timetable changes from the 15th of May are as follows:

North Wales:

• Nine additional return trips between Chester and Llandudno Junction
• Direct Llandudno to Manchester Airport services will be reinstated
• Two extra return services between Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog, taking them from four to six

Mid and West Wales:

• Two extra return services between Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury, increasing from 10 to 12
• Six of the services currently running between Pembroke Dock and Carmarthen will be extended to Swansea with an additional return service between Pembroke Dock and Tenby
• Three extra return services to and from Fishguard Harbour, increasing from three to six
• The Heart of Wales Line will see an additional early morning service between Shrewsbury and Llandrindod, alongside an extra early morning service between Swansea and Llandovery

South Wales:

• Reintroduction of direct services between Coryton and Radyr via the City Line
• A reintroduction of five services each hour between Cardiff Queen Street and Cardiff Bay (subject to the completion of essential works to the Adam Street bridge)

Borders:

• Four services between South Wales and Gloucester will be extended to Cheltenham Spa
• TfW services will no longer call at Stafford
• Selected Sunday services between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton will no longer call at intermediate stations