How the Metro transformation works will affect your journey plans between June and August 2025

Metro is being purpose built for Wales’ future. It will be a modern, efficient and sustainable way to travel but there may be temporary periods of change to your journey plans while be build it. Where possible we’re scheduling the transformation work to take place during less busy times to minimise disruption. We’re offering connections between rail services and bus services.

 

Rail replacement bus services

We’re always looking at improving customer experience and your honest feedback on the survey will help us shape our rail replacement services in the future.

 

Service change | Rhymney - Caerphilly - Cardiff Central

Travelling on the Rhymney line April - December 2025?

We’ll be carrying out engineering work as part of the South Wales Metro, with various late evening, weekend, and weekday closures planned during this period.

Check your journey before you travel.

From 24 March, all Caerphilly - Penarth services will run direct between Caerphilly and Cardiff Queen Street as a trial, to help alleviate disruption in the area. If travelling to Lisvane, Llanishen or Heath High Level, please check your journey on the customer information screens.

More information

Rhymni - Caerffili - Caerdydd Canolog | Rhymney - Caerphilly - Cardiff Central
Rhymni - Caerffili - Caerdydd Canolog | Rhymney - Caerphilly - Cardiff Central

June

Caerphilly - Rhymney | Saturday 28 June - Sunday 29 June, all day
Caerphilly - Rhymney
Cardiff Central / Newport - Ebbw Vale Town | Monday 30 June - Thursday 03 July, late nights
Cardiff Central / Newport - Ebbw Vale Town

July

Bridgend - Rhoose | Monday 14 July - Friday 18 July, all day
Bridgend - Rhoose
Caerphilly - Rhymney | Friday 18 July, early mornings and late nights
Caerphilly - Rhymney
Caerphilly - Rhymney | Saturday 19 July - Friday 25 July, all day
Caerphilly - Rhymney
Cardiff Central - Ebbw Vale Town | Sunday 20 July, early morning
Cardiff Central - Ebbw Vale Town
Cardiff Central - Penarth / Barry Island / Bridgend | Sunday 20 July, until early afternoon
Cardiff Central - Penarth / Barry Island / Bridgend
Cardiff Central - Penarth / Barry Island | Monday 21 July - Thursday 24 July, late nights
Cardiff Central - Penarth / Barry Island
Cardiff Central - Radyr via Llandaf | Monday 21 July - Thursday 24 July, late nights
Radyr - Cardiff Central via Ninian Park | Radyr - Cardiff Central via Llandaf
Cardiff Central - Radyr via Ninian Park | Monday 21 July - Thursday 24 July, late nights
Radyr - Cardiff Central via Ninian Park | Radyr - Cardiff Central via Llandaf
Cardiff Central - Ystrad Mynach | Monday 21 July - Friday 25 July, late nights
Cardiff Central - Ystrad Mynach
Caerphilly - Rhymney | Saturday 26 July - Thursday 31 July, all day
Caerphilly - Rhymney
Cardiff Central - Radyr via Ninian Park | Monday 28 July - Thursday 31 July, late nights
Radyr - Cardiff Central via Ninian Park | Radyr - Cardiff Central via Llandaf

August

Caerphilly - Ystrad Mynach | Saturday 02 August, late night
Caerphilly - Ystrad Mynach
Caerphilly - Rhymney | Saturday 02 August - Friday 08 August, all day
Caerphilly - Rhymney
Cardiff Central - Caerphilly | Sunday 03 August, late night
Cardiff Central - Caerphilly
Caerphilly - Ystrad Mynach | Friday 08 August, late night
Caerphilly - Ystrad Mynach
Travel Advice FAQs

What work will be undertaken during this period?

A whole package of works is planned including track and signalling work along with general maintenance.

Find out all about Metro here.

 

What will I expect when I arrive at the Radyr station inter-change hub?

Radyr station will act as the main inter-change hub between rail and bus services. Customer service teams will be at hand at Radyr station to direct customers to and from the inter-change hub situated in the adjacent car park. Road transport has been arranged to link in with train services to keep wait times to a minimum. Toilet and shelter facilities will be available.

 

Where will I be picked up or dropped off at my local station?

Most bus service pick up / drop up points are situated outside the station. They will be clearly signposted but you can check out the location of your rail replacement bus stop here (choose your station then Car Park Information) or on the Useful Information Poster at your station.

 

I usually take my bike on the train as I need it for onwards travel - can I take it on the bus service?

Normally bikes are not permitted on rail replacement bus services however where possible bikes may be carried dependent on the driver’s discretion and space available. Any bikes carried on our bus services is at your own risk and Transport for Wales cannot accept responsibility for any damages.

 

Can I take my dog on the bus service?

Normally dogs are not permitted on rail replacement bus services except guide dogs.

 

Can you take prams on the bus service?

Prams are allowed however we ask that they are folded up before boarding.

 

How much extra time will the bus service leg of my journey add to my overall journey?

For the exact times you will need to check your specific journey plans but here’s a guide for some key journeys. These are based on average times for the time of night travelled.

RouteApprox bus service times
Radyr - Pontypridd00:35 hrs
Radyr - Merthyr Tydfil01:20hrs
Radyr - Aberdare01:20hrs
Radyr - Treherbert01:25 hrs

 

Can I buy a ticket on the bus?

There are no ticket purchasing facilities on board buses. Tickets must be bought before boarding a bus at your local booking office, ticket machines, on-line using our journey planner or from our app.

 

I am a wheelchair user, can I access the rail replacement bus service?

The buses are wheelchair accessible with low loading floors. For advice and to book assistance in advance call our Passenger Assist team 03330 050 501.

 

Future improvement work

For planned improvement works across our network that can affect the timetable please visit this page.

Planned improvement work