The brand new trains that will be used on the South Wales Metro have entered service for the first time. The new Class 231 Fast Light Intercity and Regional Trains - also known as FLIRTs - made their first serviced journeys on the Rhymney Line between Rhymney and Penarth on Wednesday, January 18.
Transport for Wales has invested £800m into the new trains, which benefit from a number of improved features including air conditioning and detailed travel information screens. Get the latest transport news from WalesOnline sent straight to your inbox by signing up to our free newsletter.
They will be used on the new metro, which is set to be mostly completed in 2024. The ambitious, multi-million pound project will provide a new integrated public transport network across south Wales, comprising heavy and light rail, trams and new buses, along with several new train stations.
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The metro system has been designed to make it easier for people to travel, with more capacity and faster, more frequent and greener services. As well as new stations being built and current ones being upgraded, around 170km of track is being electrified with 35 FLIRT trains also being introduced.
I hopped on board to see the new trains for myself and the difference between them and the current fleet was immediately noticeable as my train pulled into the station. With a sleek, clean and modern look, it was a far cry from many of the trains currently being used on the line that have been in service for several years.
One new feature that stands out straight away is the automated level-boarding system which has been introduced on the 231s. Upon opening the train doors, a boarding step automatically deploys and adjusts to provide a seamless transition between the train and the platform edge, making entering and exiting easier for those with limited mobility or pushchairs.
Inside, the trains have a distinctly European feel and I was immediately struck by the cleanliness and airiness of the carriage. While this is to be expected on their first proper day in service, the train in general felt far lighter and less stuffy than what many of us who travel by rail have come to know in recent times.
The aisles also seemed wider - no more accidentally smacking someone in the head with your bag as you walk up and down the train - and I was grateful too for what felt like extra legroom when sat in my amply padded seat. Other features include power sockets between the seats (although you'll have to be nimble to use them) and detailed information screens with up-to-the-minute travel information.
Announcements were made clearly in English and Welsh and, while my journey between Penarth and Cardiff Central was relatively short, I appreciated being reliably informed about where we were and how long it would take, as I imagine most passengers would be.
The 231s are longer than the current fleet of TfW trains and are also quieter. Noise and vibrations are kept to a minimum both for passengers on the inside and to those waiting outside on the platform.
Train travel in Wales often gets a bad rap, but these new trains really do feel like a big step forward. With a comfier, quieter and better informed ride now almost guaranteed, the future of the South Wales Metro looks promising.
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