Pontypridd is a town of high street names and renowned shops, bars and pubs – all just a short walk from the station. The sprawling Ynysangharad Park and cricket ground is also close by.
The station was built by the Taff Vale Railway, the first major locomotive railway into Wales and designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. At its peak it had the longest island platform in the world.
History
In the mid nineteenth century the industrial development of Pontypridd went hand in hand with a growth of local government institutions. A school board was established in 1859 followed a year later by the formation of an Urban District Council. The council benefited from a number of statutory undertakings that enabled it to provide its ratepayers with electricity, gas and transport services in addition to a public library and parks.
The Taff Vale Railway was begun here in 1837 and opened in 1840-1 running a line from Merthyr Tydfil to Cardiff primarily for the transportation of ironworks coal. Its chief engineer was Isambard Kingdom Brunel. A new station was built to serve the growing rail traffic and at its peak was considered to have the longest island platform in the world. It was reconstructed in 1907.
Today Pontypridd station is part of the Rhondda Line and serves passengers for travel north to Abercynon, west to Merthyr Tydfil and south to Newport. The station itself is undergoing an extensive refurbishment that will see its fine features such as red brick architecture and cast iron work restored to their original splendour. The town centre is just a short walk from the station with its long high street full of well known high street names and traditional shops as well as pubs, bars and restaurants. The sprawling Ynysangharad War Memorial Park and Cricket Ground is also close by as is the refurbished lido.
Services
Trains at Pontypridd Station serve a broad range of destinations across Wales. The station is a short walk from the town centre where high street brands are found alongside local shops and cafes. A leisure centre and museum are also nearby, as is the expansive Ynysangharad War Memorial Park and Cricket Ground. The railway is also used by students of Rhondda Cynon Taf University and the nearby Treforest College.
The station has been given a facelift in recent years and features new ticket barriers and a new lift from the main concourse to platforms. In 2014 work began on a bay platform that will bring part of the east side of the station back into use, increasing the number of trains that can stop at the station.
As of 2020, there are 74 daily train services between Cardiff and Pontypridd (Station). Services operate every hour, and tickets can be purchased online or on the app. The journey takes around 23 minutes.
The train station is located close to the A470, and there are plenty of parking options nearby. A bus stop is also on the opposite side of the road, providing connections to other areas of the town.
For further information about travelling to and from Pontypridd Station, see the Rome2Rio website. The site provides up to date schedules, route maps and estimated fares for trips to and from the station.
Getting There
Trains arriving at Pontypridd Station curve along the banks of the River Taff and deliver passengers right into the heart of this town. The high street, lined with well-known high-street names, offers a wide variety of shops and bars, while the sprawling Ynysangharad War Memorial Park and Cricket Ground – also home to the refurbished Ponty Lido – is just a five-minute stroll from the station.
The station itself was rebuilt between 1907 and 1914, with the main island platform being the longest in the world at that time. It handled up to 11,000 passenger journeys a day and had seven platforms.
With trains to Cardiff Central running all day, Pontypridd Station is an ideal base for exploring south Wales. And with Multiflex and Anytime tickets you can make the most of your trip, including journeys to other popular destinations such as Barry Island and Bridgend.
If you’re planning to take a bus to Pontypridd, you can find all the transport options on our handy journey planner. Simply enter your departure and destination points and we’ll show you all the different options for getting there, including up to date schedules and ticket prices. You can even book your trip online! Or, if you prefer to speak to someone in person, our customer service team is on hand 24/7 to help.
Parking
There are a variety of parking options at Pontypridd Station, from council car parks to residential driveways. All of our spaces can be pre-booked online before your trip to ensure a hassle-free start and end to your journey. You’ll receive a confirmed booking email with all the details, including your unique entry and exit times. If you stay longer than your booked time, you’ll need to pay the difference at one of the pay machines before exiting the car park.
The station received a PS6 million facelift in 2011 which brought the Edwardian part of the building back into use and spruced up the main island platform, once the world’s longest. At its peak the station handled up to 11,000 passengers a day.
You’ll find ticket machines and customer help points at Pontypridd, along with plenty of places to sit while you wait for your train. You can also load a pre-purchased season ticket onto your smartcard at the ticket machine or on the platform for convenience.
Car parking at Metrolink stations can be paid for using cash or credit/debit card. However, payment methods vary by location and some are not available at all stations. Posted signs and information at each station will indicate the accepted methods of payment. Please check these before you arrive as vehicles parked for extended periods of time may be subject to parking fines or removal.
