South Wales Metro
| South Wales Metro | |
|---|---|
Transport for Wales, the transport authority | |
Class 398 at the Metro Depot and Control Centre in Taffs Well. | |
| Overview | |
| Native name | Metro De Cymru |
| Owner | Network Rail Transport for Wales |
| Locale | South East Wales |
| Transit type | Commuter rail, Rapid transit tram-train, Bus, BRT |
| Number of lines | 9 |
| Number of stations | 94 |
| Chief executive | James Price |
| Headquarters | QED Centre Main Avenue Treforest Industrial Estate Pontypridd CF37 5YR |
| Website | https://tfw.wales/projects/metro/south-wales-metro |
| Operation | |
| Operation will start | Early 2026 |
| Operator(s) | Transport for Wales Rail |
| Character | Grade-separated (present) At-grade street running (proposed) |
| Number of vehicles | 36 tram-trains |
| Technical | |
| System length | 105 miles 10 chains (105.13 mi; 169.2 km) |
| No. of tracks | Double track |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
The South Wales Metro (Welsh: Metro De Cymru) is an integrated heavy rail, light rail and bus-based public transport services and systems network being developed in South East Wales around the hub of Cardiff Central railway station.The development will also include the electrification of the core Valley Lines and new stations: all nine lines will be electrified.
The first phase was approved for development in October 2013. A new depot was constructed at Taff's Well and new trains were built by Stadler Rail in Switzerland. The first few of the new Stadler trains entered service late 2024, and the first tram-trains will enter service in the second half of 2025. The first phase of the service is expected to be fully in operation by the start of 2026.