 Some rail experts say demand for valley line services will continue to grow |
A series of improvements for hard-pressed rail passengers in the south Wales valleys have been announced by Transport Minister Andrew Davies. It is part of a �50m package of measures to cover the 15 years of the Arriva Trains Wales franchise.
The Welsh Assembly Government investment will provide an extra 1,800 seats at weekday peak times, with the length of 15 trains doubled each day.
Capacity will also be increased on trains on other lines across Wales.
There have been growing problems on valley services as more commuters choose them to travel to work in Cardiff.
Speaking at a conference of the Rail Passengers' Committee Wales, Mr Davies said the spending over the coming year would tackle the most severe over-crowding.
"This investment will immediately enhance capacity by some 20% on valley line services," he said.
Fourteen existing trains will be replaced with improved Sprinter trains.
 | EXTRA RAIL CAPACITY Trains for west Wales Wrexham to Bidston Heart of Wales line Conwy valley Cambrian coast line Llandudno to Manchester |
Clive Williams of the Rail Users' Committee in Wales said there had been a 30% increase in passenger numbers on the south east Wales network over the last three years.
Rail experts warned that demand was likely to continue to grow year on year.
Mr Davies said "significant progress" had been made in integrated transport, while measures to reduce congestion, increase consumer choice and improve transport links were "essential to the continued development of our economy."
Peter Strachan, managing director of Arriva Trains Wales, said the "further major investment" from the assembly government would also increase capacity on other lines in Wales.
"I am sure this will be widely welcomed across Wales. The rolling stock will also be available for special events such as Millennium Stadium events and sporting fixtures."
It does not include projects such as the �6m rail link to Cardiff International Airport, due to open this year, and the �27m rail link for Ebbw Vale, which is due to open to Cardiff in 2006 and later to Newport.
The investment is part of the assembly government's �8bn transport review for the next 15 years, which was announced in December.
Meanwhile, a �2m project to lengthen platforms at five railway stations on the Aberdare branch line has begun. Stations at Cwmbach and Penrhiwceiber will be the first to be extended with work at Abercynon North, Aberdare and Fernhill following a few weeks later.
Peter Leppard, Network Rail's acting western route director, said: "This project will help reduce congestion currently experienced on some peak-hour services along the Aberdare line, and also when an event takes place at the Millennium Stadium."
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