Transport for Wales (TfW) is making significant strides in the South Wales Metro project with the introduction of brand-new electric tram-trains on the recently electrified Valleys railway lines.
As part of an £800 million investment in new trains across Wales and the Borders, the Stadler Class 398 CITYLINK tram-trains are set to transform transportation in South Wales. These innovative vehicles can operate on both rail and tram lines, utilising overhead electrical lines and battery power. With three carriages, they can accommodate over 250 passengers.
The rail infrastructure in South Wales has seen over £1 billion in investments, including the electrification of more than 170 km of railway lines, such as the Merthyr, Aberdare, and Treherbert lines.
Additionally, a new £100 million purpose-built depot has been established in Taff’s Well. This facility will serve as the control centre for the Metro and house the 36 new tram-trains.
Marie Daly, Chief Operating Officer at Transport for Wales, said: “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 said: “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.”
Photo and video credit: Transport for Wales
