Don't get caught short on the new tram-trains

BRAND-NEW electric tram-trains have begun testing on the recently electrified Valleys railway lines.

- ELLIE GOSLEY

However, unlike trains currently running on the Valley lines, there won't be any toilets for passengers.

The modern tram-trains are being introduced as part of the £1bn South Wales Metro project - but if passengers are caught short, they will need to disembark to use the facilities on the station platform before catching the next train along.

Transport for Wales (TfW) says passengers can be confident "a toilet will always be available within a 20-minute journey on our network".

TfW is aiming for passengers on the Merthyr Tydfil, Aberdare and Tre-herbert lines to be using the metro-style Stadler Class 398 tram-trains by late 2025, replacing the new Class 756 trains which have been running on the lines since the autumn.

The trains, which have fully accessible toilets, will be moved over to the Rhymney and Coryton lines, which are currently undergoing electrification.

Rail staff have previously admitted many of them are “dreading” new toilet-free Valleys tram-trains being put into service.