TfW alerts

TfW alerts is powered by Darwin, the GB rail industry’s official train running information engine, providing real-time arrival and departure predictions, platform numbers, delay estimates, schedule changes, and cancellations.

It is the same engine that provides real time information for Customer Information Screens on stations and Live Departure Board on website and apps.

TfW alerts will send updates by WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger to the customer based on the real time information available in Darwin.

Selecting 'Live journey alerts' allows you to set up a one-off alert, meaning you'll only be sent updates about that specific service on the day you select. 'Regular journey alerts' allows you to set up alerts for multiple days.

You can currently receive TfW alerts via:

• WhatsApp
• Facebook Messenger

You can find everything you need to get started on our dedicated webpage:

You can also see links to set up alerts on:

• TfW online journey planners (coming soon)
• Live departure boards in the TfW app (coming soon)
• Digital touch screens at selected stations
• On-board digital displays on selected services
• QR codes on station posters (coming soon)

Yes. TfW alerts monitors your journey in real time. If it spots a delay, cancellation, or anything that could affect your journey, it will notify you straight away.

Yes, TfW alerts knows when things are going wrong, and can plan routes around disruption (even if you’re already travelling).

No. Alerts can only be created for journeys between specific origin and destination stations.

If you set up regular journey alerts, you'll receive notifications only on the days you've selected. The time you choose tells TfW alerts when to start monitoring journeys and sending updates for journeys between those two stations.

No. Currently, TfW alerts only supports information for rail journeys.

TfW alerts can help keep you informed about disruption affecting your journey, including engineering work and rail replacement transport. However, there are some limitations:

For planned engineering work, TfW alerts only sends notifications on the day of travel and does not provide alerts more than 24 hours in advance.

If engineering work closes part of your route, TfW alerts will attempt to replan your journey using alternative stations or routes where possible, rather than specifically notifying you that the original route is closed.

For the latest updates during disruption, please visit our all updates page.

Yes, TfW alerts can be used for rail services all around the UK, not just on Transport for Wales services.

If you experience issues with TfW alerts, please let us know by getting in touch on one of our social media channels, who will raise this with the relevant team. Please send your phone number, the date you set up the alert, and the date you were travelling to:

WhatsApp: 07790 952 507
Facebook Messenger: @TfWTrafnidiaethCymru

Yes. TfW alerts includes a “Buddy” feature, allowing you to share updates with someone else.

To use this:

• Set up your journey alert
• Turn on the ‘Would you like to share your updates with someone else?’ button
• Enter your chosen contact

Yes. The Welsh version, Negeseuon TrC, can be selected during setup.

To switch to Welsh:

• Use the language dropdown on the alert setup page
• Select Welsh
• Continue setting up your journey

If you’d like to switch to Welsh after already setting up your alert:

• Type and send the message "Menu" to receive the menu options
• You'll see a carousel of options
• On the last item in the carousel, click "Preferences"
• This will open the preferences screen, where you can update your language

You can opt out of alerts per journey. If you miss your train, select the ‘Missed it’ button to see alternative travel options. You can then select ‘Get journey alerts’ for your new journey and receive updates for that service instead.

If you’ve just set up an alert but no longer want to receive notifications, select ‘No, opt-out’ in the Welcome message.

You can also manage individual journey notifications on the ‘Scheduled journeys’ page or via the ‘Journey options’ menu.

You can stop alerts at any time by replying STOP on Facebook Messenger. This will end your alerts and remove your subscription.

If you’d like to stop all messages, you’ll need to opt out of the channel in WhatsApp via the channel settings page.

Please note: this will stop all alerts, and you won’t be able to receive messages from TfW alerts in the future unless you re-subscribe.

Yes. Simply:

• Enter your origin and destination
• Select your time of travel

If you’re travelling on the same day, you don’t need to select a date.

You’ll only receive alerts for that specific journey.

Yes. When setting up your alert:

• Enter your journey details
• Select the days you travel
• Choose your travel time

You’ll then receive alerts on each selected day at that time.