Today, Tomorrow, Together is our vision for the Wales and Borders railway network. It celebrates what we’ve achieved, sets out what comes next and highlights how we’ll deliver it by working together.

 

First published: 18/02/2026

 

1. What we’ve achieved so far

Across Wales and the Borders, we’ve made big progress building a more reliable, sustainable and customer‑focused rail network:

Network-wide progress

  • Monthly station stops have increased from 188,000 in 2018 to more than 320,000 in 2024/25, reflecting more services, better timetables and new routes.
  • Passenger revenue has grown by 17.8% between 2023/24 and 2024/25, reducing the need for subsidy.
  • As of December 2025, 93% of timetabled journeys are served by new, new to Wales and refurbished trains.

South Wales Metro

  • 91.7% of trains on the Core Valley Lines ran on time (within three minutes) in the four weeks to 8 November 2025.
  • 169km of track electrified since 2020 - a major step toward greener, faster travel.
  • New Class 398 tram‑trains set to join the network in 2026 - introducing modern, turn‑up‑and‑go services.

 

2. Our future plans - short and long term

We’re preparing a transformational pipeline of major projects that will shape train travel in Wales for the next two decades.

Short term

  • Cardiff Central station upgrades.
  • Service or frequency improvements to the City Line to enable four trains per hour.
  • Level crossing upgrades for Network North Wales and more services.
  • Progressing five new stations on the South Wales Main Line (‘Burns Stations’), improvements to the relief lines and new cross-border services.

Long Term

  • Network North Wales.
  • Swansea Bay and West Wales Metro.
  • Future phases of the South Wales Metro.
  • Upgrades to the North Wales and South Wales Main Lines.
  • Enhancements to Marches services and in Mid Wales.

These investments will deliver important long-term benefits, including:

  • Up to 13.3 million new rail journeys each year.
  • 3.8 million fewer car journeys - a reduction of 115 million vehicle kilometres each year.
  • 55,000 tonnes of CO₂ avoided each year.
  • £6.3 billion in wider economic benefits.

As part of our long-term pipeline, £4.4 billion of projects are already developed and ready for delivery, with the potential to scale to £10 billion as funding allows.

 

3. How we’ll achieve it together

Our progress so far has only been possible through close collaboration with partners across government, industry and supply chains. By continuing to work as one team:

  • We can deliver schemes quickly and efficiently.
  • We can scale proven models, such as the South Wales Metro, to other parts of Wales.
  • We can ensure that every investment helps deliver an integrated transport network. One that’s greener, easier to use and better connected.

Working with our partners, we’re ready to deliver the next phase of rail transformation for Wales.