MS, Cabinet Secretary for Transport & North Wales:
Transport for Wales are delivering generational change to rail
services in North Wales with one of the most significant
timetable improvements for passengers coming this May. Delivered
through our Network North Wales programme Transport for Wales
will increase the number of rail services on the North Wales
Coast Line by around 50%.
This will significantly improve the capacity, reliability, and
connectivity of rail services across the region. From 17 May
2026, the timetable will be completely redesigned across North
Wales with the introduction of a standard hourly pattern, meaning
more trains will run at the same time each hour to make journey
planning easier for passengers.
For North Wales the following key benefits and changes will be
delivered:
- The introduction of a new hourly Llandudno to Liverpool
service
- The extension of the hourly service from Manchester Airport
to Holyhead, improving links across North Wales and enhancing
ferry connections to Ireland.
- The delivery of an hourly Wrexham - Crewe hourly service by
extending the current Wrexham to Chester train.
- A new service pattern to improve commuting options to
Holyhead and Bangor will be introduced supporting local
employment and economic growth, with Valley station become a
compulsory call on all relevant services.
The timetable change will also see the first phase of the rollout
of Pay-As-You-Go ticketing in North Wales, another benefit from
our Network North Wales programme. Passengers using 15 stations
from Wrexham General to Bidston will be the first to benefit from
this innovative and convenient way to travel.
The May 2026 timetable change will also deliver increased summer
services between Carmarthen and Tenby with new trains entering
into service on the Cambrian line later this year.
