New facilities added to multiple Welsh stations after concerns over tram-trains rollout

The final stages of preparations for new tram-trains on Valley lines in south Wales are almost complete but passengers will have to get off the train if they want to use the toilet. The tram-trains will not have onboard toilets with staff members previously said to have been "dreading" the roll out due to the impact on passengers. The first tram-train services will be introduced on services between Pontypridd and Cardiff Bay in the summer with test runs taking place most days. Transport for Wales (TfW) are carrying out working on installing new toilets across the Treherbert, Aberdare , and Merthyr Tydfil lines. TfW said the absence of toilets is due to space constraints, arguing that including them would reduce passenger capacity and that similar systems elsewhere in the UK operate without onboard facilities. Stay in the know by making sure you’re receiving our daily newsletter . Instead passengers will need to use toilets at stations with the operator stating that facilities will be available within a 20-minute journey. Some rail workers have previously questioned how practical this will be in everyday use. Concerns have been raised about elderly passengers, families with young children, and late-night services where access to toilets may be more urgent. In 2021 one staff member was reported by WalesOnline as saying colleagues were “dreading” the introduction of the new trains. At present Class 756 trains, which do include accessible toilets, run on several Valley lines but are expected to be moved elsewhere as the new tram-trains are introduced. The newly-installed toilets, of which there are nine in total, will include wheelchair access, support rails, help points inside and outside the toilets, bay changing facilitiies, and sanitary product dispensers. There will also be upgrades to five existing facilities. Dan Tipper, chief infrastructure officer at TfW, said: “Our teams are working extremely hard as we move into the final stages ahead of introducing our first tram‑trains into service. With driver and train manager training nearing completion and testing taking place most days we’re making strong progress towards launching these services. “The tram‑trains are central to delivering the faster, more frequent journeys promised by the South Wales Metro and, alongside pay as you go, will support a true turn‑up‑and‑go service for communities across the Valleys.” The tram-trains, known as Class 398, are designed to operate on both railway lines and on-street tramways using a combination of overhead electricity and battery power. Each three-car unit can carry more than 250 passengers. It is hoped journey times will reduce journey times between Cardiff and Treherbert, Abderdare, and Merthyr Tydfil to around 50 minutes with a train every 15 minutes Since 2020 engineers have installed more than 280 miles of overhead wiring, supported by in excess of 3,000 steel posts, as well as lowering tracks under bridges and building new substations. Transport officials say the system has been designed to combine electrified sections with battery operation in areas where installing overhead lines is more difficult. Welsh Government funding, including support from the European Regional Development Fund, has contributed to parts of the programme such as the Cardiff Bay line upgrade. While ministers and TfW have described the completion of electrification as a significant step the project has also involved years of disruption for communities along the lines and some questions remain about how well the new system will meet passengers’ day-to-day needs. Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice .