The Ebbw Vale railway line has seen a significant surge in passenger numbers since the introduction of direct services to Newport earlier this year. Over 60,000 extra journeys have been made on the line compared to the same period last year.
The £70 million investment by Network Rail to improve the line’s infrastructure has paid dividends, with the number of daily services doubling from 33 to 63. This has led to a boost in passenger numbers, with 317,267 journeys made since January, compared to 253,283 in the same period of 2023. TfW has been introducing its new Class 197 trains into service, following an £800 million-pound investment.
Marie Daly, Chief Customer and Culture Officer, praised the collaboration between transport providers and local authorities for the project’s success.
She said: “The fact the line now has two trains per hour in each direction is great for those traveling for work, education, leisure or for appointments and this simply gives customers more choice and more opportunities to choose sustainable transport.
“The Ebbw project was a great example of close collaboration with ourselves, Network Rail and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council. These numbers are a testimony to the hard work that has been going on behind the scenes for many years.”
Nick Millington, Network Rail Wales and Borders route director, emphasised the environmental benefits of the improved service, with more people choosing rail over cars. He also pointed to the resurgence of rail freight on the line, which is supporting the local economy and reducing road traffic.
The data reveals a dramatic increase in journeys between Newport and the Ebbw Valley since the introduction of direct services in January, with numbers climbing from just 357 in December to 4,846 in May.
Away from Ebbw Vale, the news of the passenger numbers increase follows on from TfW’s annual report which was released on August 1.
The report showed that the investment in rolling stock was also helping across the regional network, as TfW reported a 15% increase in rail revenue for the last year. It also helped reduce cancellations, which remain below the national average. TfW are expecting to introduce its new 398s this summer after testing has been completed as well as its hybrid Stadler-built Class 756 trains later this year.
An increase in passengers using the TfW app as well as pay-as-you-go ticketing which was piloted on certain routes has helped with the rail revenue increase it is believed. The TfW app had an increase of 30% in ticket sales for the last year, the report showed.
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Derek Amitri - 07/08/2024 15:53
It's great to see new trains and services in South Wales, but the blanket rolling out of 197s across the nation and on long distance services is a seriously retrograde step. They are simply not suitable for long runs such as Crewe-Holyhead or South Wales-Holyhead. They are a very poor substitute for the 158s and 175s they have replaced. On the journeys I have been on passengers have been complaining bitterly about the lack of table seating.
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