Plans for the South Wales Metro, also known as the Welsh Tube, have been in the make since 2013. After more than a decade, the £ 1 billion project is set to be up and running in 2026, connecting Cardiff with the wider South Wales area.
The South Wales Metro is a wide-spanning project, which was first brought up in 2013 and for which the first plans were revealed in 2015. Once complete, the £ 1 billion project will cover 170 kilometres of tracks, deploying 36 electrically-powered tram-style trains. Because despite its name, most of the network will be running overground.
“We’ve been making significant improvements across the network to provide the people of South Wales with a more reliable, faster, greener and more accessible transport system. We’re investing millions in the Metro project to create better access to jobs, healthcare, and education. This integrated network of rail, bus, and walking and cycling routes will improve connectivity, making it easier for you to get where you need to go without any hassle,” Transport for Wales states.
More destinations, better service
The Welsh Tube will be connecting Cardiff with the wider South Wales area, consisting of six main routes bringing passengers to Aberdare, Coryton, Merthyr, Tydfil, Rhymney, and Treherbert. Four trains per hour will be running between Cardiff and Aberdare, Merthyr, Tydfil, and Treherbert, while six trains per hour are planned between Caerphilly and Cardiff. Those travelling to and from Pontypridd will be able to board a train every 5 minutes.
The new trains include level boarding, increased bicycle storage space, and air conditioning. At the moment, passengers are also already able to enjoy extra lifts, access-for-all bridges, and passenger information screens. Once the entire system is in place, payments will be done through a contactless system – much like the one used on the London Underground.
While the project will be rolled out in stages, some new trains have already been introduced across sections of the South Wales network. Eight trains in particular are currently used on the Rhymney line. More new trains will join the Coryton and Caerphilly lines to Penarth this Summer. Currently, a £ 100 million project is ongoing, turning Taff’s Well into the Metro Depot in South Wales, hosting 36 trains and 400 staff members.
The. South Wales Metro project was funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the UK and Welsh Governments via the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal. Most of the network should be operational by the start of 2026.
