The next phase of the South Wales Metro is gathering momentum as brand-new electric tram-trains have begun rigorous testing on the recently electrified Valleys railway lines. This marks a significant step forward for Transport for Wales (TfW) in their ambitious plans to transform public transport in the region.
These state-of-the-art Stadler Class 398 CITYLINK tram-trains represent a key part of an £800 million investment dedicated to introducing new rolling stock across Wales and the Borders. Their unique design allows them to operate seamlessly on both traditional rail lines and tram networks, utilising both overhead electric lines and battery power. Each three-carriage unit boasts a capacity of over 250 passengers.
The introduction of these vehicles follows a substantial investment of over £1 billion in upgrading the rail infrastructure across South Wales. This includes the electrification of more than 170 km of railway lines, specifically the Merthyr, Aberdare, and Treherbert lines.
Further demonstrating the scale of the project, a brand-new, purpose-built depot costing £100 million has been constructed in Taff’s Well. This facility will serve as the central control hub for the Metro and the home for the 36 new tram-trains.
Marie Daly, Chief Operating Officer at Transport for Wales, highlighted the significance of this milestone, saying:
“This is another major milestone for us at TfW. We’ve already introduced our brand-new Class 756 trains onto the Merthyr, Aberdare, and Treherbert lines to improve the experience for our passengers. We’re now excited to progress to the next phase of the project, testing our light rail tram-trains that will offer a turn-up-and-go service as part of the South Wales Metro.
“The introduction of our new Metro Class 756s and tram-trains is part of our £800 million investment into brand-new trains for Wales, alongside a billion pounds of infrastructure upgrades to improve the frequency and accessibility of services. By transforming our rail network, we aim to provide reliable, comfortable, and attractive public transport options for our customers.”
Andrew Gazzard, Head of Operational Readiness at TfW, outlined the next steps in the process:
“Our teams now need to gain familiarisation and handling experience of the trains, and we need to embark on driver training later in the year.
“It’s a really proud moment for me and the team to be able to see these tram-trains on the network and we look forward to the next stage in getting them prepared for passengers.”
The commencement of testing marks a tangible step towards the realisation of the South Wales Metro, promising a modern and integrated public transport system for communities across the region.
