His Majesty King Charles officially opened the South Wales Metro Depot in Taff’s Well on Friday 14th November 2025. The new structure has been built to house 36 Stadler built Citylink tram-trains which are due to start entering service next year as conventional trains ahead of a planned cross-city tram route, due to open in 2028.
King Charles met with staff at the depot and also took a journey in the driver’s cab on one of the tram-trains with children from three local schools and community representatives invited to join the celebrations.
The new depot covers 5 hectares and as well as the depot provides space for stabling for all 36 of the Citylink vehicles. An Integrated Control Centre is also on site and this has already been opened and is in full use. It cost £100 million and provides over 400 jobs.
Eluned Morgan, First Minister, said: “Improving transport across Wales is one of my top priorities – investing in high quality transport which is more reliable, more convenient and more enjoyable to use. “We are already seeing the significant benefits of our investment in the South Wales Metro.
“Better services, brand-new trains and Pay-As-You-go ticketing have transformed travel for passengers.
“The opening of the Taffs Well Depot marks a major milestone in our £1bn investment to upgrade the Core Valley Lines. It’s part of the behind-the-scenes but essential infrastructure which will make a big difference to people in their daily lives, whether making it easier to go to work or training, or exploring the country on our fantastic rail network.”
James Price, Transport for Wales CEO, added: “It’s been a pleasure to host his Majesty, King Charles at Taff’s Well today and for him to tour our South Wales Metro Depot. With electrified railways, brand-new trains and a state-of-the-art depot, the South Wales Metro is transforming the way people travel in the region, and most importantly connecting people and communities to opportunities.
“We’re in the final stages of electrifying 170 km of track and have already introduced our first electric trains onto the network, alongside pay as you go ticketing for our customers. We’re excited to start introducing the brand-new tram-trains next year, as we continue to transform travel and attract people to use public transport.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our team and construction partners for their hard work to deliver the new depot. I’d especially like to thank the local community in Taff’s Well for their support and patience throughout the major construction project and for helping us name it locally as ‘The Walnut Tree’ Depot’.”
As exciting as the King visiting to officially open the depot is, the press release actually confirms something which many would have predicted – the first tram-train will not be entering service in 2025 after all.
The plan is now that the first of the Citylinks will carry passengers in spring 2026. Daylight Testing began in September, although has not been consistent up until now. Testing will be continuing and will be more frequent in the coming months as the first batch of crew start their training on their use.
When they do enter service they will be used as just conventional trains on the Rhondda, Merthyr and Cardiff City lines, and the Cardiff Bay branch. From 2028 when the Cardiff Central to Cardiff Bay tramway is built they will be used on that service.