From 14 December, passengers across the Wales and Borders rail network will benefit from an updated timetable offering more frequent and better-connected services. The changes aim to strengthen community links, support the night-time economy, and provide additional travel options throughout Wales, forming part of ongoing developments for the North Wales and South Wales Metro.

Key updates include:

• An hourly service between Chester and Wrexham, doubling the current frequency to two trains per hour.
• A new midday service in each direction on the Heart of Wales line between Shrewsbury and Swansea via Llandrindod Wells, bringing the total to five trains per day.
• A brand-new hourly Sunday service between Coryton and Penarth, extending the existing Cardiff-Penarth services.
• Three later Friday night departures from Cardiff after midnight to Treherbert, Aberdare, and Merthyr Tydfil, including a connection from Cardiff Bay.
• The daily 11:23 Cardiff–Holyhead service will now call at Craven Arms (12:59) and Church Stretton (13:07).
• New early and late trains from Bidston to Wrexham General (05:54) and Wrexham Central to Bidston (20:51) from Monday to Saturday.
• The 07:40 Cardiff–Milford Haven departure shifts to 07:21 for a more consistent Swansea connection during peak hours.
• Services between Cardiff and Gloucester at 14:10, and Gloucester–Cardiff at 15:49, now extend to Cheltenham Spa on weekdays.
• A new 05:37 service from Bridgend to Cardiff, calling at all stations and extending to Ebbw Vale, to support early commuters.
• On Saturdays, a later evening train at 23:23 from Cardiff to Hereford, while the 22:15 Cardiff–Hereford service will extend to Shrewsbury.
• Evening services on the Cambrian Line—20:26 Pwllheli to Machynlleth and 21:47 Machynlleth to Pwllheli—are intended to continue as scheduled.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said:

“Rail connectivity is absolutely vital in driving prosperity. These changes will make a real difference to customers, who will benefit from more services and greater connectivity across Wales and Borders network. This has been made possible by our £800m investment in brand-new trains for the Wales and Borders network.”

Colin Lea, Transport for Wales Planning and Performance Director, added:

“These timetable changes are another step forward in our efforts to offer a more regular, reliable, and customer-friendly rail service across Wales and the Borders. By adding new services and tweaking existing ones, we’re boosting connectivity in key areas like North and mid Wales, meeting growing demand, and making smarter use of our train fleet. Whether it’s the new hourly service between Chester and Wrexham, the refreshed Heart of Wales line or later services for the Valleys, these updates are all about making a real difference for communities right across the country.”

Image: Transport for Wales