One of Britain’s most scenic railways is proving that beauty and punctuality can go hand‑in‑hand. The Heart of Wales line, which winds from Swansea to Shrewsbury via the charming spa town of Llandrindod Wells, has recorded impressive gains in both performance and reliability this year.
Between 22 June and 19 July, the line achieved a 97.5% reliability rate. Out of 283 scheduled services, 276 ran as planned, with just seven cancellations. Punctuality has also taken a significant leap — 81.2% of trains arrived within three minutes of their advertised time, up from just 64% at the start of the year.
Since January 2025, reliability has consistently stayed above the 90% mark, offering passengers renewed confidence in their journeys.
It’s not just about getting from A to B. This route threads through some of Wales’s most spectacular landscapes, from rolling green hills to quaint rural villages, making every trip part of the adventure. Whether it’s for work, study, or leisure, the Heart of Wales line is a vital connection — and now, it’s performing better than ever.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates said: “Delivering better transport is a priority for this government and I’m pleased to see this encouraging improvement on the Heart of Wales line.
"It’s good to see improvements in the experience of passengers and I’d like to thank all those involved in delivering this.”
Colin Lea, Planning and Performance Director at Transport for Wales said: “These figures are encouraging and reflect the work we and our partners at Network Rail have been doing to deliver a consistently reliable train service.
“We recognise the importance of the service to those communities along this line and that there have been times recently where our service hasn't been to the standard expected by customers.
“Whilst it’s pleasing to see performance improving and heading in the right direction, there are still improvements to be made”.
Image credit: Transport for Wales
