FIFTEEN years of rail operation by Arriva Trains Wales came to an end on October 13 when Keolis Amey took over services in the Province under the Wales Government’s Transport for Wales brand.

It is the first time the devolved Government has awarded the franchise, which will run services for the next 15 years.

More than £5billion will be invested over the franchise period, with new trains on order, some being built locally in Newport by CAF, and the Cardiff Metro is being created, using tram-trains, as well as a mix of bi- and tri-mode units.

Two Class 175s have been re-branded in a white & red livery, while units due to be replaced in the short term are being given TfW vinyls.

Speaking at the launch, First Minister Carwyn Jones said the chance to re-purpose and re-design the network was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The Welsh Government has secured £119m of EU funding towards its plans for a South Wales Metro. Of this, £21.1m is to double the line between Merthyr Tydfil and Pentrebach, and between Merthyr Vale and Quakers Yard.

New platforms will be built for the doubled sections. £27.4m is earmarked for the Treherbert line, £23.7m for the Aberdare line, £19.5m for the Rhymney line and £27.3m for the scheme to build a depot at Taff’s Well, where the new Metro fleet will be maintained.

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