The direct service between north and south Wales runs every two hours

Arriva Trains Wales is introducing an extra 36 direct trains linking Holyhead and Cardiff every week.

Some services will also run direct between Milford Haven and Holyhead, and Milford and Manchester.

The company is promising more seats on peak-time services.

Pattern

It is increasing Sunday services by 28% and is introducing modern, more comfortable trains on main north-south and west Wales routes.

The north-south link will travel via Wrexham.

There will be 44 trains running direct from Holyhead to Cardiff every week, compared to eight on the old timetable.

On the way back there will be 49 direct trains from Cardiff to Holyhead weekly compared to seven on the old timetable.

The journey time is expected to be four hours 55 minutes.

Andy Gilbert from Newport will be using the service again

Arriva has revamped its timetable to a standard pattern, and claims it will be easier to understand and remember train times, with the majority of services running at the same times every hour.

Managing director Graeme Bunker said: "Our customers tell us that arriving on time is the most important part of their journey.

'Convenient'

"By re-organising the train timetable we will be able to improve the punctuality of our trains and minimise the knock-on effect of any disruption to the network."

The new timetable was devised following an 18-month consultation period involving customers and employees among others.

Passengers boarding the 11.03 GMT at Bangor station on Monday were mostly travelling to Chester, but those who spoke to the BBC News website welcomed the new service.

"I remember travelling on the train to Cardiff when I was at college years ago," said Vernon Jones from Caernarfon.

"That used to be a very difficult journey. I'd definitely consider taking a straight through train now, to avoid driving down the A470," he added.

One passenger travelling to Newport was delighted with the new timetable.