Residents in Carmarthenshire are being asked to share their views on the county town’s railway station.
Since the railways first reached Carmarthen, it has been a major transport interchange in South West Wales, connecting train services to local buses and, following the Beeching cuts, long-distance coach services, while still serving as a major reversing point for trains heading from Manchester, London, Cardiff and Swansea to Pembroke Dock, Milford Haven and Fishguard Harbour.
The station remains as popular as ever and is still a major changing point connecting passengers with several opportunities, including work, education, healthcare and leisure.
The consultation launched by Transport for Wales (TfW) aims to gather local views from regular users and non-users of the station; these include what influences their current travel choices, their priorities, how to integrate local rail and bus services, and possible future improvements to the station.
The consultation period will run until Monday 12th October 2026. A drop-in event was held at Carmarthen station on Thursday 24th September.
A two-section online survey is also available to submit on the Transport for Wales website.
“We really want to hear the thoughts of the people who care most about Carmarthen railway station: the people who use it. Your views will help us shape its future as a gateway to west Wales.
“Carmarthen Station has always been an incredibly important location for us, linking the town and wider community into rail services towards Swansea, Cardiff, Manchester and London, as well as key locations in Pembrokeshire.
“Recently, we’ve seen the successful development of TrawsCymru services to and from Aberystwyth, and later this year we’ll be launching a new north-south express coach service linking the station to Bangor. So it’s definitely the right time for us to understand what improvements at Carmarthen railway station would enhance the overall customer experience.”
Nathaniel Owen, TfW’s Senior Customer Operations Manager at Carmarthen station,
Responses
Dear All,
Carmarthen railway station is the gateway for train passengers serving Carmarthen Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire yet it must be the worst station west of Swansea for passenger service. In years gone by there used to be a refreshment room where passengers could buy hot and cold drinks sandwiches pasties and pies and also alcoholic drinks. They also sold daily papers and magazines etc, it was a place where you could sit down chat and relax before your journey. The toilets are only just up to Health and Safety standards and should be demolished and replaced.
Now there is nothing at the station except the ticket office and waiting room and offices for TFW staff. You cannot buy anything at the station except a ticket, absolutely ridiculous in 21st century, what visitors must say regarding the station I wouldn’t like to think.
There are also several Health and Safety issues that need to be addressed especially for the disabled using wheelchairs, infirm who are unsteady on their feet and elderly who are required to walk to the end of the platform and cross two sets of tracks to get to platform 2 which is all uncovered and uneven. When on platform 2 where the GWR inter city arrives and leaves shelter and comfort is virtually non existent.
Carmarthen station needs major investment to include lifts and a covered walkway to and from platforms together with a decent refreshment area to serve passengers. Ticket prices are in need of reviewing as they are some of the most expensive in Wales, this would make more attractive for passengers to travel to and from Carmarthen, competition for services is needed.
Frequency and reliability of trains needs to be addressed together with ensuring that there is always enough carriage capacity for people to sit, not have to stand from Carmarthen to Swansea and further. Trains seem to get cancelled frequently from Swansea going west as if people are not important any more.
In conclusion Carmarthen station is an absolute shambles as it is at the moment. The Senedd wants people to use public transport now it’s time for them to invest in Carmarthen station.
Kind Regards
John Edwards