Passengers on the Coryton and Penarth lines are now travelling on brand-new electric trains, following the full rollout of Transport for Wales’ Class 756 fleet. From 27 September, a total of 24 electric units are operating daily on the Coryton, Penarth, Treherbert, Aberdare, and Merthyr lines.
The introduction marks the completion of the GBB 800 million investment by the Welsh Government in new rolling stock for the South Wales Valleys.
Enhanced passenger experience
The Class 756 trains (Stadler FLIRT EMUs), designed to transform rail travel across the region, bring significant improvements in capacity, speed, and frequency. They also offer a higher standard of comfort and accessibility, including automatic level boarding for easier step-free access.
Marie Daly, Chief Operating Officer at Transport for Wales (TfW), said:
“We’re excited to now have brand-new electric trains running on the Coryton line and improving the customer experience for all those who travel with us. These modern trains offer more capacity, improved seating, modern air conditioning, power sockets, Wifi and passenger information screens with up-to-the-minute travel information. They’ll also feature automatic level boarding and space for up to six bikes.”
Supporting the South Wales Metro vision
The rollout of the fleet represents a major milestone in the Welsh Government’s efforts to upgrade the Core Valley Lines and deliver a fully integrated South Wales Metro system.
Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, commented:
“We are working hard to deliver better transport for people across Wales, so I am delighted that the full rollout of the brand-new 756 electric trains is now complete.
This marks another significant milestone on our mission to upgrade all the Core Valley Lines and deliver a turn-up-and-go metro service.
And with Pay As You Go available in over 90 stations, more people will now be able to travel for cheaper and benefit from the service these state-of-the-art trains provide.”
The Class 756 rollout is part of the GBP 800 million programme to renew the rolling stock operating across Wales, providing passengers with more reliable, sustainable, and accessible services. The fleet has been built with features designed to meet modern passenger needs and to support regional decarbonisation objectives.
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