TT-ONR-NRN
Veteran Member
Understandably, due to the amount of work needed to render the branch suitable for Metro plans, the Rhondda line between Treherbert and Pontypridd has closed until early/mid 2024. That’s unfortunate for users of the branch, who surely wouldn’t prefer the rail replacement buses, but it’s the way things work when a line is under improvement.
However, what I think is really cheeky is that Transport for Wales seem to have used this as an opportunity to do away with the half-hourly Cardiff Central to Treherbert service altogether, rather than terminating it at Pontypridd as they normally do when the branch is closed. This means the service on the Core Valleys stretch up to Pontypridd has been reduced from 6tph to 4tph.
Perhaps this wouldn’t be as bad pre-2020, but since the Pacers have left what was formerly a largely 4 car route is now almost exclusively dominated by single 150s. Double 150s outside the peak are extremely rare (I don’t even think any are booked) and even in the peak they’re few and far between. My uni house is moments away from Cathays station and everyday these trains are rammed and regularly leave people behind, so using the Treherbert branch closure as an excuse to do away with 2tph between Cardiff and Pontypridd seems cheeky.
The remaining half hourly services to Merthyr Tydfill and Mountain Ash (for bus to Aberdare) have not been lengthened as a result, else I wouldn’t complain. The longer wait is annoying but the particular gripe I have is the fact the single 150s already leave people behind at Llandaff and Cathays in the morning, and at Queen Street in the evening. I bet were they not pushed for Sprinters due to 175 loss and unreliable 67+MK4 sets they wouldn’t have done this.
However, what I think is really cheeky is that Transport for Wales seem to have used this as an opportunity to do away with the half-hourly Cardiff Central to Treherbert service altogether, rather than terminating it at Pontypridd as they normally do when the branch is closed. This means the service on the Core Valleys stretch up to Pontypridd has been reduced from 6tph to 4tph.
Perhaps this wouldn’t be as bad pre-2020, but since the Pacers have left what was formerly a largely 4 car route is now almost exclusively dominated by single 150s. Double 150s outside the peak are extremely rare (I don’t even think any are booked) and even in the peak they’re few and far between. My uni house is moments away from Cathays station and everyday these trains are rammed and regularly leave people behind, so using the Treherbert branch closure as an excuse to do away with 2tph between Cardiff and Pontypridd seems cheeky.
The remaining half hourly services to Merthyr Tydfill and Mountain Ash (for bus to Aberdare) have not been lengthened as a result, else I wouldn’t complain. The longer wait is annoying but the particular gripe I have is the fact the single 150s already leave people behind at Llandaff and Cathays in the morning, and at Queen Street in the evening. I bet were they not pushed for Sprinters due to 175 loss and unreliable 67+MK4 sets they wouldn’t have done this.