The first of Transport for Wales' (TfW) new £800m fleet of trains is being officially launched today, and they will serve major routes through Hereford.
Built in Wales by leading train manufacturer CAF, the 77 (51 two-car and 26 three-car) new Class 197 trains will become the backbone of TfW's services across the length and breadth of the Wales and Borders network in the coming years.
Offering leather seats, modern air conditioning systems, wider doors and customer information screens, the brand-new trains will play a key role in TfW's plans to transform the customer experience on its services.
The new trains entered into passenger service on the Conwy Valley line at the end of 2022 and were unveiled by Lesley Griffiths MS at a ceremony at Llandudno railway station today (Thursday, January 26).
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They will serve several routes, including Cardiff to Holyhead and Cardiff to Manchester, with services serving Hereford, Leominster and Ludlow.
The Class 197s will sit alongside the 71 brand new trains and tram-trains being built for the South Wales Metro, the first of which has recently entered into passenger service.
A total of 148 brand new trains will deliver faster, more frequent and greener services, TfW said.
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But it comes just days after the company was criticised for putting passengers in danger with its overcrowded services between Cardiff and Hereford.
Coun William Powell has hit out at Transport for Wales for its overcrowded service from Cardiff to Hereford. Picture: William Powell
William Powell, a councillor in Powys and former Welsh Assembly Member, now Senedd, said it was "absolute carnage" on board the 4.39pm Transport for Wales service on Monday (January 23).
He hit out at "severe overcrowding at the end of the college day", which he said was "dangerous for passengers disgorging and joining" the crammed service.
TfW was using just a two-carriage train on the busy route, something he said was "just not fit for purpose" at that time of day.
The deputy minister for climate change with responsibility for transport Lee Waters MS said: "Funded by our £800m investment in a new fleet of trains, the Class 197s play an important part in our plans to transform rail services in Wales.
"Having travelled on the Class 197s, I can vouch for the greater comfort, speed and capacity offered by these new trains that will not only be used by Welsh passengers but were also made in Wales."
New Class 197 trains have been unveiled by Transport for Wales and they will serve routes through Hereford and Leominster. Picture: Transport for Wales
Minister for North Wales Lesley Griffiths said: "I was very pleased to officially launch Transport for Wales' impressive new trains in Llandudno today.
"This made-in-Wales fleet signals an important improvement to rail services and I'm sure passengers will enjoy travelling across North Wales lines on the Class 197s."
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The 77 trains being built by CAF have also been fitted with electronic charging points and disability features for those with limited mobility.
James Price, Transport for Wales chief executive, said: "The official launch of the Class 197s is a landmark day in the history of Transport for Wales and the Welsh rail industry, with the unveiling of the first brand new trains in Wales in a generation.
"The construction of our new trains has been four years in the making, and we're incredibly proud and excited to formally welcome passengers onto them. The trains will be an important part of the transformation of the Wales and Borders network and will enable us to run more services and carry more customers in comfort."
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