£33m Caerphilly transport hub moves closer as TfW launches contractor search

Plans to transform Caerphilly's bus and railway connections have taken another step forward, with Transport for Wales beginning the search for a contractor to deliver a new £33 million integrated interchange.

Transport for Wales (TfW) has launched procurement for the main construction contract behind the redevelopment of Caerphilly's existing railway station and bus interchange.

The project will create a modern transport hub bringing rail, bus, taxi, walking and cycling connections together on one site, while forming a key part of the wider regeneration of Caerphilly town centre.

Contractors have until 26 August to submit requests to participate in the two-stage procurement process.

Construction is currently expected to begin in March 2027, with the programme running for approximately three years through to March 2030.

A new gateway for Caerphilly

Rather than simply upgrading the existing facilities, the £33 million project will substantially reshape the interchange and the experience for passengers arriving in the town.

Plans include a redesigned station building, improved waiting areas and additional infrastructure for bus services, alongside enhanced retail provision.

Bus capacity will also increase. The existing 11 stands will rise to 12, while the number of layover bays will increase from three to four.

New public conveniences and an active travel hub are planned, with improved pedestrian and cycling connections intended to make it easier for passengers to complete journeys without relying on a car.

Accessibility is another central element of the scheme, with the new interchange designed to provide a fully accessible environment for passengers.

Grimshaw Architects is leading the design, taking responsibility for the architecture and coordinating the multidisciplinary team behind the new rail, bus and active travel hub.

Part of a much bigger transformation

The interchange is being developed alongside the Caerphilly 2035 regeneration programme, meaning its impact is intended to extend beyond transport.

The wider programme aims to revitalise the town centre through investment in public spaces, housing, commercial development and infrastructure.

Creating a more attractive and better-connected arrival point is therefore viewed as an important part of encouraging investment, supporting businesses and increasing the number of people choosing public transport to reach the town.

The project also sits within TfW's wider South Wales Metro programme.

That investment is transforming rail infrastructure and services across the region, with passengers on the Rhymney Line set to benefit from increased frequencies.

Once the Metro improvements are fully delivered, Caerphilly is expected to have up to six trains an hour to Cardiff, making the interchange an increasingly important connection point between local bus services and the rail network.

Connecting different forms of transport

The approach reflects a broader move towards integrated transport hubs across South Wales.

Projects in locations including Merthyr Tydfil and Pontypridd have similarly focused on making transfers between trains, buses, walking and cycling easier, reducing the separation between different forms of public transport.

For Caerphilly, that means creating a transport interchange capable of accommodating increased services while providing a significantly improved passenger environment.

With the procurement process now under way and construction scheduled to begin in 2027, the £33 million development is moving towards becoming a central element of Caerphilly's long-term transformation.

When completed in 2030, the interchange is expected to provide residents, commuters and visitors with a new gateway to the town – while supporting the wider ambition to make public and active transport a more attractive choice for journeys across South Wales.