What's Happening in Wales

A revitalised network that will see new services and rolling stock, innovative solutions, and a massive programme of station investment. 

• We're investing £738m to transform the valley lines to Treherbert, Aberdare, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhymney and Coryton, electrifying 172 km of track and upgrading infrastructure to enable improved journey times and more trains every hour.
• From 2023, an £800m investment will ensure that 95% of journeys are on new trains. More than half the trains will be assembled in Wales. 
• By December 2023, we are going to run an extra 285 (29%) more services every weekday, including improvements on the Ebbw Vale, Cambrian and Heart of Wales lines and the North Wales Metro (Wrexham-Bidston). A new service will link Cardiff and Liverpool via Wrexham.
• On Sundays, more services will run across Wales by Dec 2019.
• We're creating more than 600 new jobs, including 200 new on-train customer service staff, and add 30 apprenticeships per year. 
• We're investing £194m in station improvements and building at least five new stations. A £15m fund will make stations more accessible and are launching a new app allowing customers requiring assistance to ‘turn up and go’ from April 2020. 
• At least 1,500 new car parking spaces will be created.
• We're transforming the availability and quality of ticketing facilities by 2023, and also introducing Delay Repay for delays of above 15 minutes from January 2019.
• Stations and overhead wires will be powered by 100% renewable energy, with at least 50% sourced in Wales.
• Free end-to-end internet access will be available on 85% of journeys by 2024.
• We're introducing seven new Community Rail Partnerships, employing 30 Community and Customer Ambassadors and investing more than £1.25m per year in community activity. Disused station spaces will be transformed to meet local needs.
• Smart ticketing will be rolled out across Wales and the Borders. Validators on the South Wales Metro will enable pay-as-you-go flexible ticketing. Elsewhere, customers will be able to use mobile tickets to ensure they always pay the lowest fare. 
• Free travel for under 5s extended to under 11s. Half-price fares extended to 16 – 18 year-olds. Under 16s go free off peak when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.
• We're installing more than 700 new customer information screens across the network and in other locations including colleges, hospitals and workplaces.
• We're investing in more than 200 new ticket machines and providing ticket sales through local convenience stores to improve access.
• To support an integrated network, we are ensuring that there is appropriate signage at all stations to promote onward travel by public transport 

• We also fund and support all staff who want to learn Welsh. 
   

All these improvements will help to achieve the goals of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 – driving prosperity, improving the cohesion of Welsh and Border communities and contributing to a healthier and more equal Wales.