Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council has commissioned a feasibility study on a rapid transit route between Pontyclun and central Cardiff.
Serving the city’s expanding north-western suburbs, the project is a cornerstone of the Welsh Government’s South Wales Metro programme of public transport improvements.
It was estimated a year ago to cost £150m to £250m but no decision had been taken on whether the ‘rapid transit link’ would employ buses, trains or light rail.
The Arup study, due to report in March, is funded by the Welsh Government through the council, at a cost of between £50,000 and £100,000.
A council spokeswoman told Transport Network: ‘The brief will explore the merits of a number of different forms of transport, as it sets out the requirements for the development of alternative modal and alignment options that are sufficient to maximise interchange and serve the widest population catchment.
‘It will include an assessment of mode, alignment, station locations, catchments, existing and future services requirements, environmental constraints, physical constraints, system operations, rolling stock and depot requirements, cost estimates and phasing.’
Council leader Andrew Morgan said: ‘With the population in north-west Cardiff and south-east Rhondda Cynon Taf set to grow as the economy of the city region expands, it is important that our transport system is integrated and able to support such effective and sustainable growth.’
Councillors in Cardiff have previously voiced concerns that plans for 7,000 new homes in the area west of Fairwater would place further pressure on roads already suffering peak congestion.
