CARDIFF, June 2026 — The Cardiff Crossrail project has reached a significant milestone with the appointment of Siemens Mobility to design, build, integrate and commission the signalling systems required for Wales’ first tram-train network. The project forms part of the wider South Wales Metro programme, which aims to improve connectivity through more frequent, faster and environmentally sustainable public transport services across the region.
Under the contract awarded by Transport for Wales, Siemens will deliver two separate signalling systems. One system will manage tram-train operations on sections running through Cardiff city centre streets, while the second will provide line-of-sight signalling on the Cardiff Bay main line. The infrastructure is intended to support the safe integration of tram-train operations within both urban and conventional railway environments.
The project builds on Siemens Mobility’s previous involvement in the Core Valley Lines Transformation programme, where signalling upgrades helped increase service frequencies across parts of South East Wales. Cardiff Crossrail is designed to eventually connect with the existing Core Valley Lines network, extending the reach of the South Wales Metro and improving access between communities, employment centres and key transport hubs.
Phase 1A of Cardiff Crossrail will establish a new light rail connection between Cardiff Central and Cardiff Bay, creating the foundation for a broader tram-train network. Construction of the first phase is supported by £100 million in funding from the Welsh Government and the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, with works including new tram infrastructure, station enhancements and route connections through the city centre.
The scheme reflects a broader trend among rail authorities to adopt tram-train technology as a means of improving urban and regional connectivity without requiring entirely new transport corridors. As South Wales progresses towards the introduction of new tram-train services and expanded metro operations, projects such as Cardiff Crossrail are expected to play a central role in shaping the future of integrated public transport across the region.
Source: Railway News
Siemens To Deliver Signalling For Wales’ First Tram-Train Network
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Tram-train systems are gaining momentum as cities seek to integrate urban mobility with regional rail networks. Transport for Wales has awarded Siemens Mobility a contract to provide key signalling infrastructure for the Cardiff Crossrail project, marking an important step towards the development of Wales’ first tram-train network.
