By Ella Simons
Finally, the wait is over. The new Transport for Wales depot is here after starting upgrades began in 2020. The £100 million depot located in Taff’s Well South Wales, just opposite the town’s Transport for Wales train stop, will provide 400 jobs and will maintain a fleet of 36 new tram-trains, set to transform transport across South Wales.
According to Transport for Wales, they are “leading the South Wales Metro” where they are “delivering one of Wales’ biggest infrastructure projects, electrifying 170km of railway, which brought electrified rail services to South Wales, for the very first time last year”.
The service aims to bring faster, more accessible and more environmentally friendly travel to Wales with hopeful upgrades reaching the North of Wales from next year. The depot forms a key part of the South Wales Metro project, a project from Transport for Wales and the Welsh Government, designed to improve reliability and expand sustainable travel options for communities across South Wales.
Gair Rhydd’s Head of News was welcomed to the event which included speeches from Transport for Wales’ CEO James Price, Transport for Wales Chair Vernon Everitt and the Welsh Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies. This was followed by a tour of the depot, watching his majesty King Charles III take a small journey on one of the new tram-trains and finally, an unveiling of the depot bythe King himself.
At the opening, CEO of transport for Wales James Price thanked the patience of locals after an almost six-year project, saying “anyone who lives in the village, a big thank you for putting up with this.” He shared that the depot is a major step to “transform rail travel across Wales and its borders.” He praised “the communities we serve” adding “a big diolch from me!” Price homed in on the fact that the project proves that in Wales “it can be done efficiently and effectively” describing an exciting moment for Welsh transport. Price highlighted the step forward into new travel in Wales saying “every journey is an opportunity” showing the power of Wales, Welsh community and what we can achieve when we work together.
Chair of Transport for Wales, Vernon Everitt, also spoke to the room. He shared his gratitude for the support of the community and the staff. Everitt described the depot as a “new chapter in Welsh public transport.” He went on to say that “transport is an essential enabler of sustainable economic growth, higher productivity and access to homes, jobs, education, better health and opportunity for everyone” which means “tackling inequality in all of its forms.” He said that better rail, buses, and active travel where customers and businesses of Wales come first are vital to Transport for Wales’ mission.
Everitt highlighted that the new depot and the new trains offer a strong return on public investment, noting that “every pound is returned at five in social and economic value” and argued that Wales is performing “far better than anywhere else in the country.” He said that the depot is now better than ever, delivering the modern Wales everyone wants. A Wales that is innovative and inclusive. A Wales built to support future generations for many years to come.
The event also welcomed Deputy First Minister of Wales Huw Irranca-Davies. His speech was clear, a true celebration of what Wales can achieve and truly displaying the capacity of Welsh innovation. The Deputy Minister said that this is a “key milestone” for Wales. Adding “just say to doubters, we can do this”, that Wales can turn “vision into reality”. Irranca-Davies shared that he feels “real pride to show what Wales can do”. The speech highlighted the scale of the development, “real transformation in action” and “one of the biggest, most ambitious projects” in Wales and whilst this is “the next big milestone” it is “definitely not the last!”
The Deputy Minister said to the event that this work from Transport for Wales is “transforming people’s lives” and “it’s not just what we have built but the opportunity we are creating.” He added that the project is “more than transport, but about community and people” which is the beating heart behind the project. He ended by saying “Wales is on the move, and we’re only just getting started!”
Later in the event, as Gair Rhydd’s Head of News, I was invited to watch King Charles III take a small drive in one of the new tram-trains. His majesty was surrounded by Transport for Wales staff, marking a moment in history where Welsh innovation was at the forefront of what our country can offer and how far we can truly go. Not only did the King meet with staff at the depot, but he was able to celebrate Welsh achievement with three local primary schools who attended the event.
A moment of history happened on November 14th . It was a day to recognise the hard work of Welsh communities and the staff at Transport for Wales. And despite it being a day for the history books, it also showed the innovation and opportunity to come, for the future of Wales.