Transport for Wales is to make major changes to its timetable in December, which will increase services at some stations and include later services from Cardiff Central and Swansea.

It will also introduce more new trains and will regularise services to depart at the same time each hour.

TfW has been replacing older trains with new Class 197 trains over the past two years, and it explains that the new fleet’s enhanced capabilities have enabled it to make these improvements.

The operator has been developing the new timetable over a period of four years and describes it as the “most significant mainline timetable change in a generation”. It expects faster journeys, more frequent train services and more seats across the network.

The new timetable will be in effect from Sunday 15 December, and every mainline service will be retimed.

The timetable changes will also impact other rail companies that operate services within Wales and in the border area.

TfW will also be deploying new electric tri-mode Class 756 trains on the Core Valley Lines this month. The line has been undergoing upgrade work.

However, Transport for Wales is reducing the number of services on the Cambrian and Heart of Wales lines, following a Strategic Timetable Review carried out earlier this year.

Passengers can see how their journeys will change by visiting TfW’s online journey planner and entering journey details for a date after 15 December.

“This is a major change which will make a real difference to customers, who will benefit from a more consistent service. This has been made possible by our £800m investment in new trains and it’s great to see the results coming through across Wales.”

Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales