Ystrad Rhondda railway station

It was first opened on this site by British Rail on the former Taff Vale Railway in 1986 and is the location of the only passing loop on the section of route north of , which had previously been singled by British Rail in stages between 1972 and 1981. The current station replaced an earlier station of the same name when it opened in 1986. The original Ystrad station, which had operated since 1861, was renamed Ton Pentre when the new Ystrad Rhondda station opened approximately one mile further east along the line. This change reflected the continued development of the Rhondda Valley's railway infrastructure and the need to better serve the local community. The station was built on the route of the former Taff Vale Railway, which had originally reached Treherbert in 1856. The transformation works were part of a £1 billion investment in the South Wales Metro, described as the largest and most complex engineering project taking place in Wales. The Treherbert line was electrified in May 2024, and the first electric train services began operating in November 2024 using new Stadler Class 756 tri-mode trains. These modern trains feature improved capacity, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and passenger information screens, representing a significant upgrade from the previous diesel rolling stock. ==Station buildings and facilities==

Ystrad Rhondda station features a modest single-storey building typical of British Rail's 1980s construction standards. The station has basic facilities including a seated waiting area but lacks many amenities found at larger stations. There is no ticket office, with passengers required to purchase tickets from conductors on trains or use alternative arrangements. The station does not have toilets, a waiting room, or commercial facilities. The station provides cycle storage with three Sheffield stands accommodating up to six bicycles, located near the entrance to the southbound platform. ==Operational significance==

The station serves a crucial operational role on the Rhondda Line as the location of the only passing loop north of Porth. ==Passenger volume==

The statistics cover twelve month periods that start in April. ==Services==

Monday-Saturday, there is a half-hourly service to & southbound and to northbound. There is a two hourly service in each direction on Sundays, with through trains southbound to . On 20 July 2018, previous franchise operator Arriva Trains Wales announced a trial period of extra Sunday services on the Rhondda Line to Cardiff and Barry Island. This was in response to a survey by Leanne Wood and the success of extra Sunday services on the Merthyr Line and the Rhymney Line. Following the reopening in February 2024, the station is served by Transport for Wales Rail with both diesel and electric services. == References ==