A rail network fit for Wales’ future
Passengers, communities and businesses in Wales will benefit from big changes happening on our railway.
Big Changes in 2020
Trains
- £40 million train refurbishment programme in 2020 on Transport for Wales trains
Stations, tracks, depots
- In 2020 a new station will open at Bow Street on the Cambrian Line, connecting a new community to the rail network
- More than 200 ticket machines will be installed at stations, along with Wi-Fi
Communities
- From January 2020, Transport for Wales will offer free travel for children under the age of 11, as well as under-16s on off-peak services when accompanied by a fare paying adult
- A new Transport for Wales Railcard will save 18 year-olds 50% on all fares
- In 2020 three new Community Rail Partnerships will be launched across South and West Wales
Major upgrade work
- Electrification of the South Wales Mainline to Cardiff by January 2020 means for the first time, Intercity Express trains can run between London and Cardiff on electricity, cutting journey times for passengers
- 2020 work will start on renewing Grade II listed Barmouth Viaduct, which provides a critical link for passengers travelling across Mid and North West Wales
Changes happening now in Wales
Below are press releases from rail companies in Wales promoting changes and improvements happening in the area.
![Network Rail staff]()
Network Rail announces £640m contract awards to deliver design servicesNetwork Rail has announced the award of 82 framework contracts to deliver design services across the country, worth an...
![Network Rail staff]()
Network Rail launches action plan for working with small and medium businessesNetwork Rail has published its plan of action for working more effectively and closely with small and medium enterprises...
![Transport for Wales staff standing outside hub]()
South Wales Metro Infrastructure Hub OpensTransport for Wales reaches a key milestone today with the opening of the South Wales Metro Infrastructure Hub. As the new...
![Lab interior]()
Lab by Transport for WalesLed by TfW Rail Services, in partnership with Alt Labs, and fully funded by the public transport authority (TfW), the "Lab...
![Two staff members working on new station area]()
Work begins on new station at Bow StreetTransport for Wales has begun work on the new £8-million railway station at Bow Street in Ceredigion. Opening to...
![HackTrain teams working on code]()
CodingCats wins HackTrain VI with algorithm to improve operational performance on rail networkA new algorithm, combining track circuit and signal berth data to more accurately identify a train’s location at any given...
People across Wales support rail companies’ proposals for change
The rail industry recognise the need for big changes, that's why together we submitted proposals for a radical alternative to the current franchising system to the independently-chaired Williams review looking into the future of Britain's railway. We proposed for a more customer focussed, joined-up and accountable railway.
See what’s happening elsewhere in Britain
What big changes do you want?
Rail companies are calling for big changes but what matters to you?
