South Wales Metro passengers will gain a wider range of travel options from 14 December, with later evening departures and expanded services designed to support the region’s nighttime economy. Transport for Wales (TfW) says the forthcoming timetable changes will bolster connectivity across the Valleys and make it easier for people to travel for work, leisure or cultural events.

One of the most notable additions is a later connection from Cardiff Bay, aimed at giving theatre-goers and visitors to the Wales Millennium Centre a smoother route home. TfW says the extended hours will remove barriers for those wishing to stay out later without relying on road transport.

A series of wider upgrades sits behind the timetable shift. Among them is a new hourly Sunday service between Coryton and Penarth, extending the Cardiff–Penarth route to improve weekend mobility. Friday nights will see three post-midnight trains leaving Cardiff for Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil, each with a link from Cardiff Bay. Early-morning commuters will also benefit from a 05:37 Bridgend–Cardiff service, which will continue to Ebbw Vale. In the upper Rhondda, Ynyswen station is set to reopen following significant improvement works.

With Sunday trains running on the Coryton line for the first time, TfW has issued a reminder to level-crossing users at Ty Glas and Caedelyn Park/Whitchurch to take extra care, urging people to Stop, Look and Listen before crossing the tracks.

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

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

The full set of timetable changes, covering the entire Wales and Borders network, will come into effect from 14 December 2025.

Image: Transport for Wales