On Trains & Buses

The electrification of the Core Valley lines in South Wales has been completed following a six-year, £1 billion project, with the final section of overhead lines energised between Cardiff Queen Street and Cardiff Bay. The work involved installing over 3,100 steel posts, five substations and lowering tracks under 14 bridges to accommodate overhead lines. The network now supports bi- and tri-mode trains, enabling the introduction of tram services between Pontypridd and Cardiff Bay. Officials highlighted the project as a major milestone for rail infrastructure, citing improved capacity, frequency and reliability of services, along with environmental benefits, while acknowledging the challenges faced by communities during construction.

Two new stations in the West Midlands, Willenhall and Darlaston, have opened with features including sheltered platforms, accessible lifts, ticket machines and secure cycle parking, alongside dedicated car park spaces for commuters. These developments are part of a £185 million project by Transport for West Midlands to construct five new stations, with three additional stations on the Camp Hill Line in Birmingham set to open in early April. The stations aim to improve connectivity for local residents, offering direct links to major transport hubs and enhancing travel options. Service started calling at the new stations began on 19^th March, marking the start of operations for passengers based near them.

A fleet of diesel trains originally built for the Midland Main Line over two decades ago will be deployed in Scotland to replace ScotRail’s aging High Speed Trains, which have been in service since the 1970’s and are now the last of their kind in regular use across Britain. These Class 222 units, introduced in 2004 and based on the Voyager design, feature a redesigned interior and are undergoing extensive refurbishment, including new seating, lighting and improved accessibility.

A technical support contract with Alstom and a separate £80 million upgrade agreement with Beacon will ensure enhancements to comfort, reliability and facilities. The Scottish Government has contributed £67 million to the project, with the first units expected to enter service by late next year and all 22 sets operational by 2028. ScotRail’s managing director highlighted the upgrade as a step toward a more sustainable and customer-focused rail network, aiming to encourage greater use of public transport and improve overall journey quality.

Iarnród Éireann has announced plans to extend DART services to Kilcock Station in County Kildare, alongside a proposed relocation of the DART+ Depot to a site west of the town, following a public consultation process. The extension will increase train frequency to every 10 minutes during peak times, introduce upgraded station infrastructure including a second track, new platforms and accessible pedestrian bridges and fully electrify the rail network to support sustainable travel.

The depot will house up to 750 new DART carriages, create over 100 maintenance roles and include facilities such as a test track, maintenance sheds and improved staff amenities. The project, part of the broader DART+ Programme aiming to expand this rail network to over 150 km, is targeted for completion by 2031, pending approvals and seeks public input until late April to refine its design and ensure alignment with community needs.

A new bus service has been introduced to improve connectivity between Macclesfield, Alderley Park, Wilmslow and Manchester Airport, with funding from the government’s Bus Service Improvement Plan. The 150 service now links Macclesfield and Wilmslow railway stations via Alderley Park, while the 130 service now stops at Wilmslow railway station with an enhanced Saturday schedule. Together, these routes offer more frequent travel, with buses running up to every 30 minutes between Macclesfield and Alderley Park on weekdays and reduced journey times from both railway stations to Alderley Park. The 130 continues to serve Wythenshawe and Manchester Airport, providing onward connections. Local officials highlighted the benefits of these changes, including improved access to employment, healthcare and transport hubs, as well as supporting integrated public transport by enabling seamless transfers between trains and buses. The services are now operational, with details available through relevant transport providers.

Transport for Ireland has introduced two new bus routes, MU1 and MU2, in Mullingar, operating seven days a week with services every 30 minutes until late evening, connecting key locations such as Mullingar Station, the Regional Hospital and the Mullingar Business Park. Some stops, including Farranshock Park and Presentation Convent, are temporarily out of service. Fares are available for cash or via a TFI Leap Card, offering discounts for adults, young adults, students and children. Additional information on timetables, route details and events is provided, along with access to apps and other resources for passengers.

A significant investment in Welsh train services was announced, which includes the creation of seven new stations. The plans, worth almost £500 million, are part of a larger scheme to upgrade and electrify rail lines in Wales. Six of the new stations will be located in South Wales, while one will be situated on the Wrexham to Liverpool line. Work on the projects is expected to start this year, with the first station due to open later in 2026. The Welsh Government has already committed substantial funds to upgrading rail services and investing in new trains.

Work is due to start on electrifying parts of the Borders Railway in Scotland over three weekends in March. The scheme, which forms part of a £342 million investment in electrification and electric trains, will see overhead 25kV lines installed between Newcraighall and Shawfair and between Bowshank Tunnel and Tweedbank. This will allow diesel units on the line to be replaced by hybrid battery electrics. Engineers will carry out piling work over the three weekends, with further overnight work planned. The project manager has stated that the infrastructure is already suitable for electrification, allowing for less intrusive engineering than would be required on older parts of the network.

A freeze on rail fares in Scotland has been announced by First Minister John Swinney, as part of his government’s efforts to address the cost of living crisis. The 12-month freeze will apply to season tickets and ordinary tickets, which follows the abolition of peak fares on ScotRail routes in September 2025. This decision is seen as a way for the government to keep people’s costs down and maintain the attractiveness and affordability of rail travel in Scotland. Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop stated that this move follows the removal of peak fares, which brought fares down by up to 48 per cent.

Over the St Brigid’s Day Bank Holiday weekend from Friday 30^th January to Monday 2^nd February 2026, public transport services across Ireland will operate on modified schedules. Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and Luas services will follow Sunday timetables on the bank holiday Monday, with Nitelink services running on Friday and Saturday nights only. Iarnród Éireann will implement significant engineering works throughout the weekend, affecting multiple routes including services between Connolly and Belfast Grand Central, Cork, Limerick and Tralee lines, DART services between Connolly and Howth or Drogheda, northern commuter routes and Galway and Westport services, with bus transfers replacing trains on affected sections. The weekend coincides with several events in Dublin including rugby matches at Aviva Stadium and Tallaght Stadium, as well as the St Brigid’s Dublin City Celebrating Women Parade and Festival featuring over 80 events across the city.