Aberystwyth railway station
Aberystwyth railway station is a railway terminus in the town of Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales, serving as the western end of the Cambrian Line from Shrewsbury and Birmingham, with services operated by Transport for Wales.[1][2][3] Opened for passenger services in 1864 as part of the Cambrian Railways extension from Machynlleth, the station was further developed with a branch to Lampeter and Carmarthen in 1867, though the latter line closed to passengers in 1965.[4][1] A grand stone facade was added in 1925 by the Great Western Railway, earning the National Railway Heritage Award in 2003 for its architectural significance.[1][4] Located on Alexandra Road (SY23 1LH), just a short walk from the town center, the station handled 276,000 passengers in 2023/24 and provides connections to the narrow-gauge Vale of Rheidol Railway heritage line since 1968.[1][4][2][5] Facilities include a ticket office open weekdays and Saturdays, card-only ticket machines, waiting rooms, toilets (including accessible ones on Platform 1), baby changing areas, 15 parking spaces (two accessible), and secure cycle storage.[1][3][2] The station offers full step-free access across its single platform, with tactile paving, induction loops, and staff assistance available, making it Category A for accessibility under National Rail standards.[1][3] Adjacent to the station building—now the Yr Hen Orsaf pub—is various eateries, enhancing its role as a gateway to Aberystwyth's coastal and university attractions. The town's Tourist Information Centre is a short walk away on Terrace Road.[4][2]Station Overview
Location and Access
Aberystwyth railway station is situated on Alexandra Road in the town centre of Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales, with the postcode SY23 1LH.[1] The station lies at the terminus of the Cambrian Line, providing a central hub for rail travel in the region.[3] The station is highly accessible on foot, being less than a five-minute walk from the town centre via Terrace Road and under ten minutes to the seafront promenade.[1][6] A side entrance offers step-free access to the adjacent taxi rank, facilitating easy pedestrian entry.[6] For motorists, a station car park provides 15 spaces, including two designated for accessible use, though it lacks CCTV coverage.[1][3] A drop-off and pick-up point is available directly at the station. Public bus services connect seamlessly, with Aberystwyth bus station located opposite the railway station, offering routes such as the T1 (TrawsCymru) to Carmarthen and other services operated by Arriva and TrawsCymru.[6][1][7] Rail replacement buses stop at the nearby bus station lay-by.[1] Accessibility features include step-free access to all platforms (Category A), ramps for entry, and an induction loop at the ticket office.[1][3] There are no lifts, but accessible ticket machines (card-only) and National Key Scheme toilets are provided, along with staff assistance during operational hours.[1] Cyclists can utilize eight sheltered storage spaces with CCTV.[1] A taxi rank is positioned outside the main entrance for additional convenience.[1]Significance and Statistics
Aberystwyth railway station serves as the western terminus of the Cambrian Line, providing essential connectivity between west Wales and the national rail network, with direct services to Shrewsbury, Birmingham, and beyond. This role makes it a vital gateway for the town of Aberystwyth, a coastal resort and home to Aberystwyth University, supporting daily commuters, academic travel, and seasonal tourism. Classified as a Department for Transport (DfT) category D station, it falls into the medium-sized category, reflecting its regional importance in handling moderate passenger volumes while offering staffed facilities and connections to local bus services.[8] The station's historical and ongoing significance lies in its contribution to Aberystwyth's economic vitality, particularly through tourism. Since its opening in 1864, the railway has facilitated the influx of visitors, transforming the area into a key destination on the Welsh coast and enabling access to nearby attractions like the Vale of Rheidol Railway. It remains integral to sustainable transport in Ceredigion, promoting rail use over road travel amid efforts to enhance regional links, such as proposed improvements to the Heart of Wales Line.[1][9] Passenger usage data from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) illustrates the station's scale and recovery trends. In the pre-pandemic year of 2019-20, it recorded 278,880 entries and exits, establishing its position as one of the busiest stations in mid-Wales. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a drastic decline to 41,430 in 2020-21, but numbers rebounded to 242,000 in 2022-23 and further to 276,076 in 2023-24, nearing pre-crisis levels and ranking it as the 1,154th most used station out of 2,581 in Great Britain. Interchanges remain low at approximately 1,500 annually, underscoring its primary function as a terminus.[10][5]| Year | Entries and Exits | Change from Previous Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 278,880 | -9.9% |
| 2020-21 | 41,430 | -85.1% |
| 2022-23 | 242,000 | +31.9% (from 2021-22) |
| 2023-24 | 276,076 | +14.1% |