North Wales train services to increase by 50% under shake-up

The changes will increase the number of rail services on the North Wales Coast Line by around 50 per cent.

From May 17, passengers will benefit from a completely redesigned timetable covering all routes north and west of Shrewsbury and Crewe (excluding services between Wrexham and Bidston).

The new structure introduces a standard hourly pattern, meaning some trains will run at the same time each hour to make journey planning easier.

The changes will deliver a significant increase in train frequency and capacity between Chester and Llandudno Junction, one of the busiest sections of the Wales and Borders rail network.

They are also an important step in preparing for the rollout of phase one of Pay as you Go (PAYG) in North Wales this year.

The first phase of the rollout, which goes live on May 18, includes 15 stations from Wrexham General – Bidston. PAYG will also be implemented in North Wales.

Because of this major timetable change, some direct journeys will no longer operate, however the timetable is planned so customers will still be able to make longer journeys by easily changing trains at key stations like Chester and Llandudno Junction.

Colin Lea, TfW Planning and Performance Director said: “This is a once‑in‑a‑generation transformation for rail services in North Wales.

"By increasing capacity, improving frequencies, and simplifying the timetable, we’re creating a more reliable and connected network that better serves the needs of our customers and communities.”

The changes are being delivered through the wider Network North Wales investment programme which aims to improve rail capacity, reliability, and connectivity across the region.

Key changes:

North Wales coast and borders

• Trains from Manchester Airport to Llandudno will now serve Holyhead instead, improving links to Northwest England and enhancing ferry connections to Ireland from Manchester.
• The separate Wrexham - Chester and Chester - Crewe hourly services are being combined into one through service.
• The Liverpool - Chester service will be extended to Llandudno, offering new direct travel opportunities.
• The Birmingham - North Wales service (including from Birmingham International Airport) - currently every two hours - will operate to and from Llandudno Junction, not Holyhead.
• A new service pattern will improve commuting options to Holyhead and Bangor, supporting local employment and economic growth.
• Valley station will become a compulsory call on all relevant services, helping to give customers greater confidence in travelling from this stop.

Customers are advised to check their journey before travelling, as calling patterns are also changing and trains may stop at different stations than before. This is particularly important for anyone making connections with other train operators, who may also be adjusting their timetables.

Passengers can check before travelling by visiting www.tfw.wales. Enter journey details for a date from May 17.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates said: “This is fantastic news for passengers.

“Alongside a generational £14bn investment in Welsh rail, new trains and a fare freeze, the new timetable change is another huge improvement for public transport.

“This amounts to almost a doubling of TfW services on the North Wales Coast Line and vitally important additional trains on busy holiday routes across West Wales.